Much Ado About Almost Nothing: Man's Encounter with the Electron

by Hans Camenzind

A history of electricity and electronics.

How the puny electron at first bothered mankind, then gradually became useful, and now dominates our lives.

And the story of the people who encountered this mysterious particle.

Genres: History, Science, Physics, Technology

228 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2007

Reviews

[P.]

If you have any level of interest in building electronic circuits, you've come across transistors. This books tells you how we got there, and provides insights into a very interesting history and how "man kind" can overcome unimaginable challenges.

[Metin Ozsavran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just helluva good reading. Written by the designer of 555 timer chip, it's well informed. He correctly characterizes the ugly behaviour inventor of control tubes. :)

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much Ado About Almost Nothing (silly title) is a short history of electricity and electronics. As the author himself says, it is impossible to be fully accurate when writing a short history, too many people and details are left out. Despite that, this is a nice breezy book that covers many of the main figures and developments in electricity and electronics.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's so good. Should be made into a streaming series.