I agree with your warning, but would advise the reader to struggle with this book and embrace the struggle.
The text helped me with a lot of hobbyist discrete circuit design. The reason is because, in the book, they have little "model" transformations of active circuit components. Breaking things down into models that can be studied with KVL and KCL, as well as simple approximations and rules for dealing with the various modes of transistors, makes the subject accessible. (At least, to me anyway.)
I guess, to add a little bit to the suggestion: buy a used, outdated copy of this book, and try to work through a chapter every 2 months or so. Having a solutions manual on hand helps a lot also.
The text helped me with a lot of hobbyist discrete circuit design. The reason is because, in the book, they have little "model" transformations of active circuit components. Breaking things down into models that can be studied with KVL and KCL, as well as simple approximations and rules for dealing with the various modes of transistors, makes the subject accessible. (At least, to me anyway.)
I guess, to add a little bit to the suggestion: buy a used, outdated copy of this book, and try to work through a chapter every 2 months or so. Having a solutions manual on hand helps a lot also.