I love old, well-written technical books, like these. There is something about the language, directness, innocence (for lack of a better term) and careful arguments that I find incredibly satisfying. They are not afraid to go technical and deep, when needed. They have humor and feel personal.
Somehow, I rarely find this in modern technical books, but it is hard for me to figure out why. Maybe something is lost in the "pedagogy" of many modern textbooks.
I'll read such books about pretty much any topic just for pleasure. An all-time favorite is "Stick and Rudder" by Wolfgang Langewiesche, although a very different topic, obviously.
I share the same feeling. Heck, even some books from the 70s and 80s are similar with this respect.
I believe those of us who can should try to do our best so that this art is not forgotten. It's extremely difficult to do today as the incentives are mostly opposite, but I believe the long term benefit to humanity is higher.
A few years ago I saw a pre-WWII book on radio electronics in a thrift store, too bad I didn't buy it. I was amazed how approachable it was to general public and how good it was written. It seems to me that the quality of technical writing to the layman isn't as it used to be, I have never seen as good explanations for basic concepts in any modern books.
> I have never seen as good explanations for basic concepts in any modern books.
Bill Bryson has a really approachable prose style on many subjects. I find his books a pleasure to read even on subjects that I have no particular interest in.
I love old, well-written technical books, like these. There is something about the language, directness, innocence (for lack of a better term) and careful arguments that I find incredibly satisfying. They are not afraid to go technical and deep, when needed. They have humor and feel personal.
Somehow, I rarely find this in modern technical books, but it is hard for me to figure out why. Maybe something is lost in the "pedagogy" of many modern textbooks.
I'll read such books about pretty much any topic just for pleasure. An all-time favorite is "Stick and Rudder" by Wolfgang Langewiesche, although a very different topic, obviously.
I share the same feeling. Heck, even some books from the 70s and 80s are similar with this respect.
I believe those of us who can should try to do our best so that this art is not forgotten. It's extremely difficult to do today as the incentives are mostly opposite, but I believe the long term benefit to humanity is higher.
A few years ago I saw a pre-WWII book on radio electronics in a thrift store, too bad I didn't buy it. I was amazed how approachable it was to general public and how good it was written. It seems to me that the quality of technical writing to the layman isn't as it used to be, I have never seen as good explanations for basic concepts in any modern books.
When production took longer and costs were not optimized, there was time for editors and writers to spend time editing and writing.
> I have never seen as good explanations for basic concepts in any modern books.
Bill Bryson has a really approachable prose style on many subjects. I find his books a pleasure to read even on subjects that I have no particular interest in.
For the best reason, curiosity, I am learning about amplifier circuits. I really appreciate this link. Thank you.
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