I agree, some time library time would be in order. I have read a plethora of books including those already mentioned. My takeaway, for the non engineer, the best book, bar none is:
One common thread thru out the book, which many newbies seem to ignore is, because they are looking for the holy grail, is, "everything effects everything else". You can't get around that as your set-up becomes more sorted out.
Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
