Reviews (5)

Meets expectations
Considering what we paid for this book, it meets our expectations. A bit difficult for a 8yr old. But helps to increase awareness about electricity amoung childrens.

Nicely illustrated instructions, Little else
I was anxious to get this book for my son who is a precocious builder. However, I was disappointed to see that the gadgets you can build were not described at the beginning of the instuctions. The gadget is named, then the building instructions begin. There is no description of what the gadget does, or how it works.

I was pleased to see that most of the items need to make the projects are easy to find, since my son already experiments with electricity. However, starting from scratch will mean a trip to the electronics store for most people.

Good for young inventors
This is a great book for a simple introduction to electronic gadget building. My son is always building and designing and this is giving him a way to do it with electronics.

Sorry, didn't like it.
The things in this book just didn't work for us. The gadgets look great in the book and my son was really excited to make them. But when the battery pack (which is the prerequisite for most of the other projects) didn't work, we started shopping around for another book.

lots of fun
I like it. It's a pretty tough book. I'm eight years old and I've been able to make almost everything in the book on my own. There's a supply list in the front and we've found most things at Radio Shack. The instructions are kind of easy to follow. It's hard work, but it's worth it. ... Read more

Book Description

Explore the fast-moving world of electronics, and see the tiny devices that have changed so many aspects of modern life.

We live in a world made possible by electronic technology -- and Eyewitness Electronics is the perfect way to learn more about it! Discover what the first transistor looked like; what goes on inside telephones, TVs, and computers; and how the binary system works. Superb full-color photographs of original equipment, scientific instruments, and 3-D models make this book a compelling look at electronics. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

electronics Education
Excellent publication for anyone interested in learning about how the wonderfull world of electronics got started. This publication goes through the who, how and why we have computers and electronic devices in our world today. I have used this publication as an "educational gift" for many of my customers. It will never go out of date! ... Read more

Book Description

"In the trademark Simon style, carefully selected color photos, drawings, and a clear and informative text tell the story of Earth's mountains: their formation, relative sizes, ecology, and influence on weather....Simon may have done more than any other living author to help us understand and appreciate the beauty of our planet and our universe; ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Book
Great book, containing quality photos. If you have interest in photography and nature scenes ( mountains ) buy this book. The hardcover have a lot of quality , a must buy !

Incredible Photos
This book is very very good, striking photos of mountains, very good quality paper and some dazling scenes. If you have interest in photography and in nature scenes ( mountains ) buy this book ! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I am Going be a Robot Builder When I Grow Up
I built the robotic hand all by myself without help. It has red and blue pieces. The robotic hand grabs some things, but not everything. It worked better with rubber bands, which I added to my kit. It is really cool.

Robot Ideas Galore
As a parent of a child whose imagination runs wild with ideas of building and designing moving gadgets this item was very much appreciated. Motors and wires and very well layed out instructions will intrigue anyone with a mind and love for robots. You don,t have to be a child to enjoy the ideas that are set forth here. Hooray !! Thumbs up to the developers of this product. ... Read more

Book Description

Discover the story of electricity -- from the earliest discoveries to the technology that has transformed our lives.

After two centuries of research and experimentation, electricity has revolutionized the way we live and become an indispensable part of scientific progress. Eyewitness Electricity brings vividly to life our exploration of this powerful natural force. It is a vital part of the living world. Our eyes receive light rays and turn them into tiny electrical signals that pass along our nerves to the brain. The chemicals in batteries create power for such things as toys and flashlights. The invention of electric motors enabled the creation of a whole range of household appliances that have shaped the modern world. See how electricity works nerves and muscles and what causes lightning. Learn how electricity can transmit voices and images across an ocean and what makes a silicon chip work. Discover the amazing speed of charged atoms, what happens when you tune in the radio, and much, much more! ... Read more

Book Description

The switch goes up -- the light goes on,
The switch goes down -- the light goes off.

It seems like magic! It's not -- it's electricity. But how does a light actually work? In this clear and simple book learn all about electricity, how it's produced, and how it can be used. At the end you'll learn how to conduct fun experiments that will let you generate electricity yourself!

Reviews (2)

Terrific way to learn and explain electricity!
When I first opened the book, I thought it would be too young for my nine year old. To my surprise, it caught our attention and explained the puzzling mystery of electricity and currents in such a way that we both understood how it works. Reading this turned on the light of comprehension. I highly recommend this book to explain the process.

A good introduction to electricity for children.
I pulled this book out when my 5 year old asked me to explain how a light bulb works. The book addresses this subject and also goes on to explain, in simplist form, what electricity is, where it comes from and how we use it in our daily lives. It includes an easy experiement that shows how electricity is created. While my child was able to understand most of what was addressed, the introduction to atoms, electrons... was probably more than he needed right now. But the introduction of generators, wires, circuits and how electricity reaches our home was great. The story format, starting with turning on a light switch, kept him interested. ... Read more

Book Description

The highly-anticipated follow-up book to Exploring Planet Earth, this Christian and homeschool hit takes a look at medical practices from the ancient past to the present, including biographical sketches of famous persons of medicine. Featuring study questions at the end of each chapter, coupled with dozens of illustrations, this book gives middle-school through junior-high students a strong introduction into the study of medicine. Exploring the History of Medicine is suitable for family study and discussion. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great for Homeschoolers
An excellent overview of the history of medicine that integrates history, medicine and biography. Bravo! to John Hudson Tiner for not compromising. Suitable for young and old alike. ... Read more

Book Description

This action-packed kit contains a 32-page manual with full instructions on how to perform over 40 amazing experiments.The manual gives you step-by-step instructions on how to build simple circuits so you can make an array of interesting devices from a pinball machine to an intruder alert. Features full safety instructions and an incredible range of equipment. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Excellent Lab, Fun and Educational
This is a great electronics lab. It kept my son of 8 engaged for many days and even taught me some new things. The experiments were just the right mix of challenging and rewarding.

Likewise with the previous reviewer I can assure anyone interested that this kit DOES NOT contain any mercury. All of the experiments were safe and the parts were well considered.

Great basic introduction to elctricity and electronics
I don't think the first reviewer knows much about electronic components. This set does not have a mercury tilt switch in it. It has a magnetic reed switch. It contains two metal reeds that come together when a magnet is placed near it. I can see how it could be confused for a old mercury tilt switch but they don't even put those in home thermostats any more. There is no mercury in the set at all. It is a VERY good introduction to basic electronics. I have purchased a ton of these sets. I even collect vintage ones. The author put a lot of thought into the experiments and the components the set comes with can be used for other experiments. They are not tied down to a spring board like many other sets. A younger child should be supervised because many of the components are tiny but this set is about as safe as they get. One thing I like about it is that it deals with basic concepts of electricity very well and manages to make the experiments fun and interesting at the same time. It comes in a nice folding box to keep it all together and the components are well labeled. It contains a couple unusual components and I like that too. The magnetic reed switch is one of them. If you search on the Internet, you will find a child that built a very innovative reed switch motor that does not have brushes. He now runs an online business selling kits to build the motors. Also if you decide to buy this set, search on beakmans motor and build one of those with your child at the same time they are going through the experments. It is the worlds simplest motor and is amazing. It will tie in well with the magnetic concepts that this kit teaches.

This Book/Toy contains easily spilled Mercury
We recently began using this intriguing book ... more of a toy/lab set than a book.

I was shocked to find a mercury reed switch, which my son almost immediately broke by bending a wire lead. When it broke, out spilled the drop of toxic mercury.

Mercury is a highly toxic substance and should not be made available to children. ... Read more

Book Description

With projects ranging from building a basic battery-connected circuit to a do-it -yourself burglar alarm, children will have fun discovering the properties and principles of electricity. ... Read more

Book Description

Gordon McComb's Gadgeteer's Goldmine is one of the most exciting, well-rounded collections of electronic projects available anywhere, featuring experiments in everything from magnetic levitation and lasers to high-tech surveillance and digital commuications. Hobbyists and garage-shop tinkerers will find instructions for building such useful items as a fiberoptic communications link, portable He-Ne laser pistol, laser alarm system, ultrasonic pest deterrent, solar batter recharger, wireless sound transimitter. IBM PC control interface, and many others. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great Gizmos!
I love do-dads, thingamagigs and gizmos, and this book is just chuck full of them! Even better, the writer doesn't assume you're an utter moron, or that you have an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering. Fun and challanging, I highly recommend it.

flawed but still pretty cool
At first glance, this book seems to be a necessary addition to the average tinkerer's library. However, after purchasing the book I found little inconsistencies between the schematics and the text, typos, or something else which led to confusion and apprehension--as the book starts out by warning of the risk of death with most of the projects if the instructions and safety precautions aren't followed exactly, and repeats the warning with almost every project. Before buying this book I'd suggest becoming very familiar with high-voltage circuits (to the point where you can design your own), otherwise you won't get as much out of it as you should. For example, the first project I tried was the variable xenon strobe, because I found all the parts in a $3.50 kit online, and it's actually two projects in one. The first thing I noticed before building it was that the parts list (the book lists all the components you'll need to build each project) didn't match the schematic--the 555 IC isn't listed. The text says it's the heart of the circuit. Not a big deal, but then the text refers to a third diode, which is neither in the parts list nor the schematic. If this is a necessary part you could blow other components and/or, as the book warns you several times, kill yourself. As an intermediate-level "gadgeteer," I can't figure out if the text is wrong or if the schematic is wrong, and if the schematic is wrong (the text sounds correct) what to do about it. This book isn't really to teach how things work, it's more for an advanced gadgeteer to put his or her knowledge to use. There is a basic explanation of how each project works, but not to the point where you could go in not knowing anything and come away a rocket scientist. Overall I'd recommend this book only to an advanced gadgeteer, or someone who's very serious about learning these types of applications of high-voltage circuits. Once you do understand what's happening, though, this book shows you how to build the coolest things, either from scratch or by rewiring things you'd find at a junk shop, and for that, if you are at that level, I recommend it highly.

Great Book
This book tells you how to build everything from a night vision scope to a "bug" which transmits sound. Any one who is interested in electronics should purchase this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Though we often take it for granted, the sun provides the energy that powers everything on Earth, from planets and trees to machines and cities.With dazzling paintings and simple text, acclaimed author and illustrator Molly Bang takes young readers on an incredible journey that follows the light of the sun as it transformed into the energy we use every day in our homes.

From windmills and solar cells to fossil fuels and dams, here is a fascinating presentation of the way we use our amazing natural resources to light up our world. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

My four year old loves this book
The illustrations are artistic and beautiful. My four year old loves to trace the flow of electricity from its generation to its use, and my two year old likes the pictures. The book may have simplified some scientific principles; nonetheless, it is educational and interesting. It has opened up some discussions about our family's use of energy -not bad for a children's book! For older readers, there is a good afterward which goes into more detail. ... Read more

Book Description

Examines not only the developments that have brought us such conveniences of the information age as e-mail, cell-phones, and palm-top computers, but also offers valuable insight into a future brimming with amazing possibilities.The full spectrum of communications technology is covered, from Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics to the invention of the printing press, and the origins of today's Internet. Full-color spreads packed with informative captions, look at the past, present, and future of information systems in a variety of fields, including computers, entertainment, education, space, and personal communications.Communications is an ideal gift and a must-have resource for anyone who is curious about the Information Age.Illustrated timelines include major technological milestones and anticipated advances. Comprehensive glossary and index. "Crystal Ball" boxes feature predictions and highlight breakthroughs. "Blurred Vision" graphics show how people in the past envisioned the future. Related resources and websites. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent for Young Children
I bought this book as a Christmas present for my four-year-old daughter, who has been fascinated for months about electricity. She really enjoys it when I read this little book to her, even though it's clearly written for children a little older, given the use of words like "electron" and "generator" and "turbine." However, I make it a policy never to underestimate the ability of children to understand the world around them, and, much to my delight, my daughter recently pointed to the drawing of a generator in the book and said "generator!" This book makes learning fun, as it should be. Great artwork, too. ... Read more