Electronics For Dummies, 2nd edition by Cathleen Shamieh

You can make all sorts of things, once you understand what electronics is and how it works. The Electronics For Dummies book helps you out with that part, explaining the whole thing in plain English. Learn how electricity functions, how to harness it and put it to work, what tools you need to build circuits, what you can make with them, and how to do it safely

Mystery solved - understand what makes your iPod, remote control, and computer work
Essential stuff - outfit your electronics lab with all the necessary tools, including some that will surprise you
Schematic road maps - learn to read schematics and understand how they help your project get where it’s going
Symbols of power - recognize all the identifiers for power sources, grounds, and components
Tools of the trade - discover how to use a multimeter, logic probe, oscilloscope, and solderless breadboard
Break it down - get to know the ins and outs of components such as resistors, capacitors ,diodes and transistors
Getting it together - find out how integrated circuits make all the rest possible and learn to work with them & Analyze it - understand the rules that govern current and voltage and learn how to apply them