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Arduino Cookbook, Michael Margolis, O’Reilly
IC 555 Projects, B A Parr, Bernard Babani
The 555 is still very useful!
The Art of Electronics, Horowitz and Hill, Cambridge
A classic with plenty of circuit examples
Electronics Circuits Pocket Book, Ray Marston, Newnes
Getting Started in Electronics, Forrest M Mims lll, Radio Shack
Another classic!
The Boy Electrician, J W Sims, Harrap
How to make lots of wonderful (now) retro tech like Wimshust machine, Spark Coil,
Tesla Coil etc. Still promising myself I will make these someday.
Homemade Lightning, R A Ford, McGraw-
Wimshurst machine, Van de Graaff generator etc.
The Amateur’s Workshop, Ian Bradley, MAP
Most of what you need to know for old-
Handbook of Line Communication, The Royal Signals
Lots about very old tech but lots of foundation maths if you want to design and analyse your circuits in better than a rule of thumb manner.
The Pocket Calculator Pocket Book, Goult and Pratt, S.T.(P) Ltd
Very useful source of formulas for calculating mortage repayments, compoud interest etc etc.
Solar Heating and Cooling, Lane Publishing
Science for the Citizen, Lancelot Hogben, George Allen & Unwin
Science up to the 1950s but very good account of history of science
Bad Science, Ben Goldacre, 4th Estate
Might stop us getting fooled again!
A History of God, Karen Armstrong, Ballantine
How all sorts of religions developed.
The Occult Philosophy in the Elizabethan Age, Frances Yates, Routledge
Fascinating age when magic and science crashed into each other. (Newton, even 100 years later, wrote the Pricipia but also tracts on alchemy).
The Shadow of the Sword, Tom Holland, Little Brown
Interesting history about the end of the classical period and the rise of Islam
The Ascent of Science, Brian L Silver, Oxford
Where Mathematics Comes From, Lakoff & Nunez, Basic Books
Argues that mathematics is not the universal language of creation but rather an invention of humans -
How to Make Your Car Handle, Fred Puhn, H P Books
Old tech but physics hasn’t changed since the 1970s.
Prepare to Win, Carroll Smith, Aero Publishers
Ditto as above.
Tune to Win, Carroll Smith, Aero Publishers
Ditto as above.
Performance Welding, Richard Finch, Motorbooks
Useful but some basics are assumed.
Welding & Cutting, J A Oates, MAP
Soldering & Brazing, A R Turpin, MAP
The New Glassfibre Book, R H Warring, MAP
The Modern Blacksmith, Alexander G Weygers, Van Nostrand Reinhold
Great illustrations.
How to Restore the TR7, Roger Williams, Veloce
How to Improve the TR7, Roger Williams, Veloce
Great if like me you want to fix up a TR7!
Roof Tiling and Slating, Kevin Taylor, Crowood
This really helped when I re-
Reader’s Digest Repair Manual (1972), Reader’s Digest
Reader’s Digest Complete Do-
These two are packed with information! The DIY manual has been updated but I haven’t seen it.
How to Build a Wooden Frame House, Anderson, Dover
Lots of information but check with modern building regs.
Sharpening And Care of Woodworking Tools, J Sainsbury, Guild of Master Craftsmen
Very good account.
The Artist's Handbook of Materials and Techniques, Ralph Mayer, Viking
A fantastic book of the craft aspects of painting and traditional materials.
Drawing Systems, Dubery & Willats, Studio Vista
Very good if you want to distinguish between, perspective, isometric, orthographic, oblique projection etc etc.
The Ascent of Man, Jacob Bronowski, BBC
Civilisation, Kenneth Clark, BBC
Two masterful books, one on science the other on culture written by two intellectual giants to accompany two series from the golden age of British TV. Now seen as, perhaps, rather western-
Catch-
Still my favourite!
Random Book List
mostly on practical subjects
many a bit old like me!