Make: Electronics by Charles Platt
The highest-rated, well respected go-to guide for beginner makers!
NOTE: This book is a companion for the Make: Electronics Starter Kit, sold separately.
Make: Electronics begins with the basics. You'll see for yourself how components work--and what happens when they don't. You'll short out a battery and overheat an LED. You'll also open up a potentiometer and a relay to see what's inside. No other book gives you such an opportunity to learn from real-life experiences.
Ultimately, you will build gadgets that have lasting value, and you'll have a complete understanding of how they work. From capacitors to transistors to microcontrollers--it's all here.