The best 31 DevOps books

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What's Designing Data-Intensive Applications about?

Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann delves into the world of data systems and explores the principles, techniques, and best practices for building scalable and reliable applications. From databases and data storage to data processing and messaging systems, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and trade-offs involved in designing data-intensive applications. Whether you're a software engineer, data architect, or anyone working with data, this book offers valuable insights to help you make informed decisions and tackle real-world problems.

Who should read Designing Data-Intensive Applications?

  • Software engineers and architects who want to deepen their understanding of data-intensive applications

  • Developers who are building or maintaining systems that handle large volumes of data

  • Technical leaders who need to make informed decisions about technology choices for their projects


2
DevOps Books: Designing Delivery by Jeff Sussna

Designing Delivery

Jeff Sussna

What's Designing Delivery about?

Designing Delivery by Jeff Sussna explores the shift from product-centric to service-centric thinking in the world of technology and business. The book delves into the principles and practices of designing and delivering digital services that are responsive, resilient, and continually evolving to meet customer needs. Sussna offers valuable insights and practical guidance for creating successful service experiences in today's fast-paced and complex environment.

Who should read Designing Delivery?

  • Professionals in the digital service industry looking to improve their delivery processes

  • Business leaders and managers seeking to create a customer-centric organization

  • Individuals interested in the intersection of design, technology, and customer experience


What's Building Microservices about?

Building Microservices by Sam Newman is a comprehensive guide that explores the principles and best practices for designing, building, and deploying microservice-based applications. It covers topics such as communication between services, data management, testing, and monitoring, providing valuable insights for developers and architects looking to embrace this architectural style.

Who should read Building Microservices?

  • Software developers and architects seeking to understand microservices
  • Technology leaders looking to implement microservice architectures in their organizations
  • Teams working on transitioning from monolithic to microservice-based systems

4
DevOps Books: Docker Deep Dive by Nigel Poulton

Docker Deep Dive

Nigel Poulton

What's Docker Deep Dive about?

Docker Deep Dive by Nigel Poulton is a comprehensive guide to understanding and mastering Docker. It delves into the intricacies of containerization, Docker architecture, networking, storage, and orchestration. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this book provides valuable insights and practical examples to help you harness the power of Docker.

Who should read Docker Deep Dive?

  • Developers and system administrators who want to master Docker and containerization

  • IT professionals who want to understand how to build, ship, and run applications with Docker

  • Anyone looking to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the world of containers


What's Beyond The Phoenix Project about?

Beyond The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim is a must-read for anyone interested in DevOps and organizational transformation. Building on the concepts introduced in The Phoenix Project, this book delves deeper into the principles and practices that drive DevOps success. Through real-world examples and practical insights, Kim offers valuable guidance on how to overcome common challenges and achieve lasting change in your own organization.

Who should read Beyond The Phoenix Project?

  • IT professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of DevOps principles and practices

  • Managers and leaders looking to drive organizational transformation and improve IT performance

  • Readers of "The Phoenix Project" who want to further explore its concepts and apply them in real-world scenarios


6
DevOps Books: Ansible for DevOps by Jeff Geerling

Ansible for DevOps

Jeff Geerling

What's Ansible for DevOps about?

Ansible for DevOps by Jeff Geerling is a comprehensive guide to using Ansible for automating your IT infrastructure. Whether you're a developer, system administrator, or IT manager, this book provides practical examples and best practices for using Ansible to streamline your workflow and improve efficiency.

Who should read Ansible for DevOps?

  • DevOps engineers looking to automate their infrastructure and deployment processes

  • System administrators seeking a more efficient way to manage server configurations

  • Developers who want to streamline their application deployment and testing workflows


7
DevOps Books: How Linux Works by Brian Ward

How Linux Works

Brian Ward

What's How Linux Works about?

How Linux Works by Brian Ward is a comprehensive guide that delves into the inner workings of the Linux operating system. It provides a clear and detailed explanation of the components and processes that make Linux function, making it an essential read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this powerful and versatile platform.

Who should read How Linux Works?

  • Individuals who want to deepen their understanding of the Linux operating system

  • Professionals working in IT or software development who use Linux in their daily work

  • Students or educators looking to expand their knowledge of computer science and operating systems


8
DevOps Books: Kubernetes in Action by Marko Luksa

What's Kubernetes in Action about?

Kubernetes in Action is a comprehensive guide that provides an in-depth understanding of Kubernetes and how it can be used to manage containerized applications. Written by Marko Luksa, this book offers practical examples and real-world scenarios to help readers learn how to deploy, scale, and manage applications using Kubernetes. It is a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced professionals in the field of container orchestration.

Who should read Kubernetes in Action?

  • Software developers and engineers who want to learn how to effectively deploy and manage containerized applications

  • IT professionals looking to deepen their understanding of Kubernetes and its core concepts

  • Technology enthusiasts who are curious about modern cloud-native infrastructure and orchestration tools


9
DevOps Books: The Kubernetes Book by Nigel Poulton

The Kubernetes Book

Nigel Poulton

What's The Kubernetes Book about?

The Kubernetes Book by Nigel Poulton is a comprehensive guide to understanding and using Kubernetes. It covers everything from the basics of containerization to advanced Kubernetes features, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. With clear explanations and practical examples, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to master container orchestration with Kubernetes.

Who should read The Kubernetes Book?

  • Developers and software engineers looking to understand and master Kubernetes

  • IT professionals and system administrators responsible for managing containerized applications

  • Enterprise architects and technology leaders seeking to implement and optimize Kubernetes in their organizations


What's The Linux Programming Interface about?

The Linux Programming Interface by Michael Kerrisk is a comprehensive guide to the Linux system programming interface. It covers a wide range of topics including file I/O, processes, memory allocation, system calls, and more. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced programmer, this book provides in-depth explanations and practical examples to help you master Linux programming.

Who should read The Linux Programming Interface?

  • Experienced programmers who want to deepen their understanding of the Linux programming interface

  • Software developers looking to build high-performance and efficient applications on Linux

  • System administrators who want to automate tasks and create custom tools using shell scripting and system programming


11
DevOps Books: Making Work Visible by Dominica Degrandis

Making Work Visible

Dominica Degrandis

What's Making Work Visible about?

Making Work Visible by Dominica Degrandis is a practical guide that sheds light on the hidden work and time constraints that plague modern workplaces. Through real-life examples and actionable tips, the book uncovers the inefficiencies in our work processes and offers strategies to make work more transparent and manageable. It is a must-read for anyone looking to improve productivity and reduce the burden of invisible work.

Who should read Making Work Visible?

  • Individuals who want to improve their time management skills

  • Managers and team leaders looking to increase productivity and reduce waste in their teams

  • Professionals in IT, software development, or project management


12
DevOps Books: Practical DevOps by Joakim Verona

Practical DevOps

Joakim Verona

What's Practical DevOps about?

Practical DevOps by Joakim Verona is a comprehensive guide that provides practical insights and real-world examples to help you understand and implement DevOps principles and practices. From continuous integration and delivery to infrastructure as code and monitoring, this book covers all aspects of DevOps in a clear and easy-to-follow manner. Whether you are a developer, a system administrator, or a project manager, this book will equip you with the knowledge and tools to streamline your software development and delivery processes.

Who should read Practical DevOps?

  • Individuals looking to enhance their understanding and implementation of DevOps principles

  • Professionals seeking to streamline their software development and deployment processes

  • Team members aiming to foster collaboration and communication between development and operations


What's The Art of Capacity Planning about?

The Art of Capacity Planning by John Allspaw is a comprehensive guide that delves into the intricacies of capacity planning in the world of technology and infrastructure. Through real-world examples and practical advice, Allspaw offers valuable insights on how to effectively manage and optimize resources to meet the demands of a growing business. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer in the field, this book is a must-read for anyone involved in capacity planning.

Who should read The Art of Capacity Planning?

  • Individuals working in IT, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, operations, and capacity planning

  • Managers and decision-makers responsible for scaling and optimizing technology resources

  • Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to understand the technical aspects of scaling their online platforms


14
DevOps Books: The DevOps 2.0 Toolkit by Viktor Farcic

The DevOps 2.0 Toolkit

Viktor Farcic

What's The DevOps 2.0 Toolkit about?

The DevOps 2.0 Toolkit by Viktor Farcic is a comprehensive guide to implementing DevOps practices in modern software development. It covers a wide range of topics including containerization, continuous integration and delivery, infrastructure as code, and monitoring. With practical examples and real-world case studies, the book provides valuable insights for both beginners and experienced professionals looking to streamline their development and operations processes.

Who should read The DevOps 2.0 Toolkit?

  • Software developers and engineers looking to adopt DevOps practices

  • IT professionals seeking to improve collaboration and communication between development and operations teams

  • Organizations aiming to streamline their software delivery processes and increase the speed of innovation


15

What's Infrastructure as Code about?

Infrastructure as Code by Kief Morris provides a comprehensive guide to managing and automating infrastructure using code. It covers best practices, tools, and techniques for treating infrastructure as software, enabling teams to build, deploy, and manage their systems more efficiently and reliably.

Who should read Infrastructure as Code?

  • Software developers and engineers looking to automate and streamline infrastructure management

  • System administrators seeking to improve efficiency and reduce manual tasks

  • IT professionals interested in implementing DevOps practices and principles


16
DevOps Books: Practical Monitoring by Mike Julian

What's Practical Monitoring about?

Practical Monitoring by Mike Julian is a comprehensive guide that helps organizations build effective monitoring systems for their IT infrastructure. It covers topics such as setting monitoring goals, choosing the right metrics to track, and implementing monitoring tools and techniques. With practical advice and real-world examples, this book equips readers with the knowledge and skills to improve the reliability and performance of their systems.

Who should read Practical Monitoring?

  • IT professionals who are responsible for monitoring and maintaining the health of systems and applications

  • DevOps engineers looking to improve their monitoring and alerting practices

  • Managers and team leads seeking to establish a culture of effective monitoring within their organization


17
DevOps Books: Pro Git by Scott Chacon

Pro Git

Scott Chacon

What's Pro Git about?

Pro Git by Scott Chacon is a comprehensive guide to the Git version control system. It covers everything from the basics of Git to advanced topics such as branching and merging, rebasing, and more. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, this book will help you understand and master Git.

Who should read Pro Git?

  • Developers and programmers who want to improve their understanding and usage of Git

  • Individuals and teams working on software projects that require version control

  • Professionals looking to streamline their workflow and collaboration with others using Git


18
DevOps Books: War and Peace and It by Mark Schwartz

War and Peace and It

Mark Schwartz

What's War and Peace and It about?

War and Peace and IT by Mark Schwartz explores the relationship between business and IT in the modern digital age. Drawing parallels to Tolstoy's classic novel, Schwartz delves into the challenges and opportunities that arise when these two worlds collide. From navigating complex technological landscapes to aligning strategic goals, this book offers valuable insights for anyone looking to bridge the gap between business and IT.

Who should read War and Peace and It?

  • Business leaders looking to bridge the gap between IT and the rest of the organization

  • IT professionals seeking to better understand the needs and perspectives of business stakeholders

  • Anyone interested in how technology and business can work together to drive innovation and success


19
DevOps Books: Systems Performance by Brendan Gregg

Systems Performance

Brendan Gregg

What's Systems Performance about?

Systems Performance by Brendan Gregg is a comprehensive guide to understanding and optimizing the performance of computer systems. It covers a wide range of topics including CPU, memory, file systems, and networking, providing practical tips and real-world examples. Whether you're a system administrator, developer, or performance engineer, this book will help you improve the efficiency and reliability of your systems.

Who should read Systems Performance?

  • IT professionals and system administrators looking to optimize the performance of their systems

  • Developers and engineers who want to gain a deep understanding of system performance and how to improve it

  • Those who are interested in learning about advanced performance analysis and tuning techniques


20
DevOps Books: Release It! by Michael T. Nygard

Release It!

Michael T. Nygard

What's Release It! about?

Release It! by Michael T. Nygard is a must-read for anyone working in software development or operations. It offers valuable insights and practical advice on designing and deploying resilient, scalable, and maintainable software systems. Through real-world examples and case studies, Nygard highlights common pitfalls and best practices, ultimately guiding readers towards building more robust and reliable applications.

Who should read Release It!?

  • Software developers who want to create resilient and reliable systems
  • DevOps engineers striving to improve the stability of their deployments
  • Technical leaders looking to minimize the impact of software failures on their business

21

What's The DevOps Adoption Playbook about?

The DevOps Adoption Playbook by Sanjeev Sharma provides a comprehensive guide to implementing DevOps practices in large organizations. It offers practical strategies, case studies, and real-world examples to help businesses navigate the challenges of DevOps adoption and achieve continuous delivery, faster time to market, and improved collaboration between development and operations teams.

Who should read The DevOps Adoption Playbook?

  • IT professionals looking to implement DevOps practices within their organization

  • Managers and leaders seeking to understand the benefits and challenges of DevOps adoption

  • Business owners and executives who want to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency through DevOps


22
DevOps Books: Just Culture by Sidney Dekker

Just Culture

Sidney Dekker

What's Just Culture about?

Just Culture by Sidney Dekker explores the concept of accountability and fairness in high-stakes environments such as healthcare, aviation, and the legal system. Dekker argues that in order to prevent accidents and errors, organizations must move away from a blame-focused culture and towards one that encourages open communication and learning from mistakes. Through real-life examples and thought-provoking analysis, the book challenges traditional views on responsibility and offers a new perspective on creating a safer and more just society.

Who should read Just Culture?

  • Individuals in leadership roles who want to create a fair and accountable organizational culture

  • Professionals in high-risk industries, such as healthcare, aviation, and manufacturing

  • Managers and supervisors looking to understand and address human error in the workplace


23
DevOps Books: Making Work Visible by Dominica DeGrandis

Making Work Visible

Dominica DeGrandis

What's Making Work Visible about?

Making Work Visible by Dominica DeGrandis explores the challenges of modern work environments and offers practical solutions for improving productivity and reducing waste. Drawing on her experience in the tech industry, DeGrandis introduces the concept of work-in-progress (WIP) and provides valuable insights into how to visualize and manage work in order to achieve better results. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to optimize their workflow and make their work more efficient.

Who should read Making Work Visible?

  • Individuals who feel overwhelmed by their workload and want to better manage their time

  • Managers and team leaders looking to improve productivity and efficiency within their teams

  • Professionals in the IT industry seeking practical strategies for visualizing and optimizing their workflow


24

What's Prometheus: Up & Running about?

Prometheus: Up & Running by Brian Brazil is a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing Prometheus, an open-source monitoring and alerting toolkit. The book provides practical examples and step-by-step instructions to help you set up Prometheus for monitoring your systems and applications. Whether you're new to Prometheus or looking to enhance your monitoring capabilities, this book is a valuable resource for anyone in the world of DevOps and system administration.

Who should read Prometheus: Up & Running?

  • Developers, sysadmins, and DevOps practitioners who want to learn about Prometheus for monitoring and alerting

  • Professionals who need to understand how to instrument their applications for better visibility and troubleshooting

  • Individuals interested in open source monitoring tools and best practices for managing and analyzing metrics


25
DevOps Books: Critical Chain by Eliyahu M. Goldratt

Critical Chain

Eliyahu M. Goldratt

What's Critical Chain about?

Critical Chain introduces the concept of critical chain project management, which emphasizes the importance of resource allocation and task dependencies in project planning. Eliyahu M. Goldratt offers a new perspective on how to overcome common project challenges and improve overall efficiency and project completion times.

Who should read Critical Chain?

  • Individuals seeking to improve their project management skills
  • Business professionals looking for practical insights into overcoming common project challenges
  • People interested in applying the theory of constraints to their work processes

26
DevOps Books: Drift into Failure by Sidney Dekker

Drift into Failure

Sidney Dekker

What's Drift into Failure about?

Drift into Failure by Sidney Dekker delves into the concept of complex systems and how they can unexpectedly fail. Through real-life examples from various industries, the book explores how small, seemingly insignificant events can lead to catastrophic outcomes. It challenges the traditional view of failure as a result of human error and offers a new perspective on how to prevent future disasters.

Who should read Drift into Failure?

  • Professionals in high-risk industries such as aviation, healthcare, and finance

  • Managers and leaders seeking to understand and prevent organizational failures

  • Individuals interested in complex systems and how they can lead to catastrophic events


27
DevOps Books: Explore It! by Elisabeth Hendrickson

Explore It!

Elisabeth Hendrickson

What's Explore It! about?

Explore It! by Elisabeth Hendrickson is a practical guide to exploratory testing in software development. The book provides a comprehensive framework for conducting effective exploratory testing, emphasizing the importance of creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. With real-world examples and actionable tips, it equips readers with the necessary skills to uncover hidden defects and improve the overall quality of their software.

Who should read Explore It!?

  • Software testers and quality assurance professionals looking to improve their testing techniques

  • Developers who want to gain a deeper understanding of how their software behaves in different scenarios

  • Project managers and team leads interested in promoting a culture of continuous learning and exploration within their teams


28
DevOps Books: It's Not Luck by Eliyahu M. Goldratt

It's Not Luck

Eliyahu M. Goldratt

What's It's Not Luck about?

It's Not Luck by Eliyahu M. Goldratt is a business novel that delves into the theory of constraints and the importance of identifying and managing bottlenecks in a company's operations. Through the story of a struggling plant manager, the book offers valuable insights into effective management and decision-making in a competitive business environment.

Who should read It's Not Luck?

  • Business professionals looking to improve their decision-making skills
  • Individuals seeking strategies for achieving personal and professional goals
  • Managers and executives aiming to enhance their leadership abilities

What's The Field Guide to Understanding 'human Error' about?

The Field Guide to Understanding 'Human Error' by Sidney Dekker is a thought-provoking book that challenges the traditional view of human error as the cause of accidents. Dekker argues that blaming individuals for mistakes is not only unproductive but also hinders our ability to prevent future errors. Drawing on real-life examples and research, the book offers a new perspective on human error and provides practical insights for improving safety and performance in various industries.

Who should read The Field Guide to Understanding 'human Error'?

  • People working in high-risk industries where safety is a top priority
  • Managers and leaders looking to improve safety culture within their organization
  • Human factors and ergonomics professionals seeking a deeper understanding of human error

30
DevOps Books: The High-Velocity Edge by Steven J. Spear

The High-Velocity Edge

Steven J. Spear

What's The High-Velocity Edge about?

The High-Velocity Edge by Steven J. Spear explores the concept of dynamic capability and how organizations can achieve and sustain high performance in a rapidly changing world. Through real-life examples and in-depth analysis, the book offers insights into the strategies and practices that enable companies to outperform their competitors and thrive in complex environments.

Who should read The High-Velocity Edge?

  • Business leaders and managers looking to improve their organization's performance and competitive edge

  • Individuals interested in learning about the principles and practices of high-velocity organizations

  • Professionals in various industries seeking insights into achieving operational excellence and continuous improvement


31
DevOps Books: Value Stream Mapping by Karen Martin

Value Stream Mapping

Karen Martin

What's Value Stream Mapping about?

Value Stream Mapping by Karen Martin is a comprehensive guide that explains how to analyze and visualize the flow of materials and information in order to identify and eliminate waste in a business process. By using real-life examples and practical tips, the book provides a step-by-step approach to creating value stream maps and implementing improvements that can lead to increased efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Who should read Value Stream Mapping?

  • Individuals and teams in organizations looking to improve their processes and eliminate waste

  • Business leaders and managers seeking to optimize value delivery to customers

  • Continuous improvement practitioners who want to understand and apply value stream mapping techniques


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 FAQs 

What's the best DevOps book to read?

While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard Designing Data-Intensive Applications as the ultimate read on DevOps.

What are the Top 10 DevOps books?

Blinkist curators have picked the following:
  • Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann
  • Designing Delivery by Jeff Sussna
  • Building Microservices by Sam Newman
  • Docker Deep Dive by Nigel Poulton
  • Beyond The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim
  • Ansible for DevOps by Jeff Geerling
  • How Linux Works by Brian Ward
  • Kubernetes in Action by Marko Luksa
  • The Kubernetes Book by Nigel Poulton
  • The Linux Programming Interface by Michael Kerrisk

Who are the top DevOps book authors?

When it comes to DevOps, these are the authors who stand out as some of the most influential:
  • Martin Kleppmann
  • Jeff Sussna
  • Sam Newman
  • Nigel Poulton
  • Gene Kim