The info I am finding is rather disjointed and sometimes seemingly inconsistent.
But unfortunately they don't go as far as explaining how they came up with the resistance and capacitance values etc.
I believe an entire book could be written about constructing a common-emitter amplifier. It would include an explanation concerning every facet of its operation, with the aim of optimizing it as an audio amp (for example).
It would state the function of every component, in the base network, the collector leg, the emitter leg.
It would give reasons why you want a certain amount of current flow in which wire. Effects of overmuch current flow. Or too little.
Why you need to find the good operating point for the transistor, and what you should adjust to achieve it?
How to deal with thermal runaway?
How to get more power out of it without overloading it?
Greater sensitivity? Less sensitivity?
What frequency response does it give? What if you want to change it?
What optional components could be added, or what biasing arrangements, etc.
When would you use a PNP rather than an NPN? How do you configure the volume control?
A sidebar would explain what circumstances make it a good idea to consider a common-collector design, or common base.
Etc.
I know it would fill a book. It really does get that involved... a little bitty transistor amplifier. The concepts touched on are vital in any number of applications.
But it would be one book that tells how to make just one circuit, amid many books that are out there. Including textbooks.
Anyway my book ought not read like a textbook. It should have a quality known as 'accessibility.'
A textbook needs to be hard to understand, because people involved in the process prefer it that way. If it looks easy to read, then we tend to say "'I can grasp that on my own, why do I need a $35 textbook?"
A textbook doesn't have accessibility.
I believe you're looking for articles that have accessibility.
Such as...
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Books/articles by Forrest Mims.
He doesn't cover transistors in just one place, but here and there. His books are chockfull of working circuits.
His Engineer's Notebook had a project which allowed me to make my own 6-digit frequency counter cheap.
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This fellow likes to use discrete devices (transistors) because it leads to better understanding as compared to the 'modern way' of using IC's. He has some unique insights to offer.
Look at the articles marked 'PA' or PM (which are public access).
http://www.4qdtec.com/
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This large collection of transistor circuits is only the first half of the list.
http://talkingelectronics.com/projects/200TrCcts/200TrCcts.html
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Learning by doing is the best way. An assortment of components is a start.
One of the best things someone ever gave me was Radio Shack's biggest Electronics Lab. It has a breadboard (an invaluable component in itself). Its book of 300 projects (with schematics and layout illustrations) is just as good as a textbook.
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A free way to learn is with a simulator.
I like the animated simulator at
www.falstad.com/circuit.