Electronics : A Systems Approach

"Electronics: A Systems Approach" purports to teach electronics from a top-down vs. the standard bottom-up approach (i.e. starting from low-level semiconductor physics and working up to applications). While it does start that way, Storey's book quickly becomes another conventional electronics textbook after ch 2 or so. (It also has a separate conventional section on digital electronics so it does not have an integrated approach in that regard despite statements to the contrary). This is a decent book but I'm disappointed that it did not live up to its own hype. I truly think that such a top-down book is needed, i.e. a book that starts from the high-level before working down to the specification level (datasheet level); before working down to the component and only then the transistor and semiconductor level. Instead most textbooks, including this one, drown you in detail that you'll only need if you're a mixed-signal IC chip designer. (Why spend so much time discussing transistor amplifiers when most engineers use op-amps?) What's really needed is a book that's useful for the typical engineer, who's mainly now a consumer of IC chips at the board-level and occasionally discrete-component level. Electronics textbooks are too general to be useful- a far better text for example would cover the system design (hardware, software and manufacturing) of something like a cellphone- explain cellular standards, and specifications first before working down to the component-level, etc.

A good introduction to electronics and systems - especially if you're lazy like us and want to pass exams with the minimum of effort! The layout of material is well thought out and is succinctly written so that it can be read cover to cover if you're really keen or just dipped into the night before the exam. Essential purchase for any budding electrical/electronics student.