Modern texts often focus on the RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) paradigm, pipelining, and superscalar execution. However, Foster’s text provides the "first principles" that make these advanced topics understandable.
The FETCH cycle, flip-flops, one’s complement, and residue number systems. Google Books Access and Formats
: You can borrow or stream various editions (1970, 1976, and 1985) for free through the Internet Archive Digital Library .