“The Manga Guide to Electricity”, part of “The Manga Guide” series by No Starch Press, is a novel approach to the old problem of getting over the initial mental block when trying to learn electronics.
We decided to compare this book to another introductory text: “Getting Started in Electronics” by [Forrest M. Mims]. [Mims]’ book is a handwritten masterpiece of electronic literature. The writing style is friendly and concise, the examples are simple, and the drawings are excellent. It also makes sure to keep the learning process as application based as possible. Unlike other books, it doesn’t bog the reader down with math and theory that is only useful to advanced students. Since its original printing in 1983, [Mims]’ has become the de facto standard for beginner electronic literature.
“The Manga Guide” attempts to walk the beginner through the very basics of electronics using the interactions between [Rereko], a resident of planet Electopia; [Yonosuke], a transdimensional robot cell phone; and [Hikaru Yano Sensei], an electrical engineering researcher at a Japanese university. [Rereko] is apparently very bad at electricity, and is sent to learn the basics from Hikaru over the summer by her professor.
“The Manga Guide” is a lot of fun to read. The interactions between the characters are lighthearted, and the whole setting has a sort of quirkiness about it that makes you keep reading just for the joy of it. It covers most of the basics thoroughly and with excellent examples. The art is a very well drawn, playful style of manga.
Unfortunately, in order to keep the story going, a lot of little but important details were left out of the manga. To compensate for this, there are mini chapters of what can be politely described as some of the most dry electronics text ever written. We found ourselves skipping over this text often to get back to the manga parts of the book. Another disadvantage to this book is that it is hard to go back to previous pages in order to reference things since one subject may be spread across several pages of story. This is just an unfortunate side effect of the manga format. A book like [Mims]’ has the advantage here because the information is denser and easily indexed.
In conclusion, this book is a great addition to any library, but not to be relied on for learning. While “The Manga Guide to Electricity” introduces you to the basics very well, unless you want to suffer through the mini chapters, you will be no closer to building a circuit at the end than when you started reading. [Mims]’ book, on the other hand, leaves you with all the skills to begin experimenting with, building, and designing your own circuits. Luckily, at the price range of this book, there is really no reason not to pick it up and give it a read.
No Starch Press has provided us with two copies to give away. Just leave a comment including the words “I want this book.” and you’ll be entered in the random drawing. Please only use the phrase once or you’ll be disqualified. Entries will close 12PM PDT Thursday August 6, 2009. Congratulations to our winners [daniel n.] and [Fiach Antaw].
C-C-C-Combo breaker!! Sorry, couldn’t resist.
I like Manga, and I enjoy this site. I would like to learn more about this subject. Ahh the wonders of mixing pleasure with learning. I want this book.
Oh no! darkore’s a /b/tard!!! Anonymous ## Mod Reporting in!! Deploying B& Hammer.
i want this book.
i want this book
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i want this book
I want this book and I want it fo free…
I want this book.
I want this book.
I want this book?
“I want this book” and should try to get Mims’ someday as well. I think I’ve got some of his old RatShack “cookbooks” somewhere still. My 12 year old’s starting to show some interest & this could help kickstart things.
I want this book! (kind of)
I want this book.
i do not want thi book.
I want to forcibly anal rape a /b/tard with this book.
i do not want this book.
I want this book.
Spry gaunt Swiss crook, I haunt this brook, high aunt is shook, I want this book, why flaunt his look, my font mistook, I taunt this cook, I want this book.
Flood Me lol
carlaoboiblues@pop.com.br
I want this book. Please =]
I want this book.
i want this book
i want this book
i want this book
I’m somewhat indifferent about receiving a copy of this book.
That is to say that i have no particular desire for ownership.
that being stated I would like to announce my disinterest officially and on the record at this time as shown by the time/date stamp on this comment.
thank you
I want this book.
I want this book.
I want this book. Having fun with the subject matter is the key to learning.
I want this book
I want this book.
It looks fun.
I want this book
@themark
Well,some manga is on the boarder of viewable without vomiting, but still saying you like manga is 99% bad and liking that 1%.
It sounds so stupid.
Strange how a country with such great culture corrupted to such a horrible artform.
And to the guy posting the same thing 300 times, wauw you must be proud of yourself, have a free wank lubricated by your tears of self-hate.
I want this book.
I want this book.
I want this book.
i want this book.
I want this book.
i want this book.
i want this book.
i want this book. Oh yes, I want this book
Why wouldn’t I want this book.
i want this book.
i want this book.
Mims is awesome
i want this book.
i want this book
I want this book.
Seriously. I really really want this book.
Thanks!
Since i didn’t win, I have already put it in order!
But thanks for the interesting book suggestion!!
I agree with everyone who said it doesn’t function as a back reference learning book. I’ve now read it.
Also give the 4chan people the book before they start posting kiddy porn here too.
I want this book!