Principles of Electron Tubes first appeared in 1941 as a textbook for beginners studying tube technology for the first time. Since it is designed for beginners, Professor Reich takes nothing for granted. He begins with the most elementary underpinnings of the tube with the physics which govern the way these devices function.

Building on this basic grounding he turns to the behavior of the various elements inside the vacuum environment of the high vacuum diode including the way electrons behave, what coatings have to do with performance, how construction affects cathodes, the behavior of gases and getters within the bulb and finally covers tube classifications plus a short survey of typical glass and metal tube structure.

Next the author gives the reader a guided tour through grid-controlled high vacuum tubes. He examines the theory of grid action in triodes, electron transit time as well as static and dynamic characteristics. The tour continues through all the forms of multi-grid tubes as well as a thorough review of voltage and current considerations for each type. He also examines both harmonic and intermodulation distortion effects.

Analysis methodology of the ways tubes function is a helpful guide to designing tube circuits. The author proceeds to amplification, covering types of distortion, topologies, sample circuits, frequencies for each type and classifications of amps from A through AB, B, and C. He also offers an excellent explanation of decibels and the volume unit.

The sixth chapter thoroughly covers the analysis and design of amplifiers all the way from single device amps through push-pull, AB, with a comparison of triode and pentode types. He explores transformer issues, power measurement, and optimum power output. This chapter is a complete design guide for understanding and designing amplifiers of all types.

The author also covers in three chapters the uses of tubes in broadcast transmission and reception, oscillation of all kinds, industrial uses for tubes covering everything from measurement instruments to welding. The tube may also act as a light detector and the author covers such devices thoroughly.

The penultimate chapter is a thorough tutorial on power supplies from simple rectification to voltage stabilizers, all illustrated with examples. The final chapter covers, in an introductory way only, the use of tubes in measuring devices such as voltmeters and oscilloscopes. An appendix includes charts for determining reactance, decibel gain, plate characteristics of tubes, rectifier tube characteristics and operating data for amplifier tubes.

The book also has a key to all electrical abbreviations and symbols as well as an author index and subject index. Most chapters include exercise questions for checking the reader's grasp of material with answers beginning on page 395.

Among tube enthusiasts the book has taken on the aura of a classic, almost as desired as the great Langford-Smith volume. It is here reprinted complete and unabridged.