The Radio Amateurs handbook, American Radio Relay League
A classic book on radio, written for and by radio amateurs (hams) but
also full of useful information for anyone interested in radio or
electronics. It is published annually. I first received the 1976
edition as a teenager and more recently purchased the 1997 edition.
Guide to Old Radio -- Pointers, Pictures, and Prices, Second
Edition, Dave & Betty Johnson
Starts with a non-technical
explanation of how radios work, covers the evolution of consumer
radios from the 1920s through 1950s, and describes how to identify and
appraise old radios and where to find them. About half the book is a
listing of radios by manufacturer with estimated values. The price
guide is not as useful as the book was last updated in 1995, which
also means it omits to mention a major resource for finding old radios - eBay.
Old Radio Sets, Jonathan Hill
A small (32 page) booklet
that covers the evolution of radio up to the 1960s, mostly from a
British point of view. Includes many pictures.
The All-American Five Radio, Richard McWhorter
Covers how
the 5 tube radio works and how to repair and restore it. The book uses
a real radio as an example, with pictures and schematic diagrams. It
strikes a good balance between simplifying the technical aspects while
still covering the basis in considerable detail.
70 Years of Radio Tubes and Valves, Second Edition, John W. Stokes
A large tome (263 pages) that covers the evolution of the vacuum tube
from its discovery in the 1880s to the 1960s. You have to be a serious
vacuum tube enthusiast to appreciate this boook.
Radios of Canada, Lloyd Swackhammer
A self-published book
that describes vacuum tube radios made in Canada, broken down by
manufacturer. Not a lot of text; mostly pictures of radios and advertisements
from the era. A fascinating book for collectors of Canadian radios.
Tube Testers and Classic Electronic Test Gear, Alan Douglas
A fascinating book covering the major manufacturers of tube testers,
signal generators, meters, scopes, and other test equipment from the
vacuum tube era. Includes information on how the equipment works
and repair tips.
Servicing Superheterodynes, John F. Rider
John Rider was famous for his Rider's manuals and numerous books on
radio servicing. Published in 1931, this book focuses on issues
specific to superhets, for those already familiar with the older TRF
receivers common up to that time. Despite it's age, virtually everything
in the book is still relevant today.