"Things A Boy Should Know About Electricity" by Thomas M. St. John is an educational manual written in the early 20th century. The work serves as a guide for young readers, particularly boys, with a focus on explaining the fundamental concepts of electricity through simple language and practical experiments. Topics covered in the book include static electricity, magnets, and various electrical phenomena, making it ideal for novices interested in the subject. The opening of the book introduces readers to the fascinating world of frictional or static electricity through relatable experiments, such as generating sparks by shuffling feet on a carpet or rubbing a cat’s fur. St. John emphasizes the historical context of static electricity, explaining how it has been studied for thousands of years, while introducing basic terms like conductors and insulators. The engaging approach aims to captivate the reader's interest and provide a foundation for understanding more complex electrical concepts that will be explored in subsequent chapters.