The world of Linux offers incredible power and flexibility, but mastering it can be a challenging journey to say the least. Whether you’re exploring different distributions, diving into kernel development, or managing enterprise servers, having a solid foundation is key.
Having the right resources at your fingertips can make a huge difference in how quickly you learn, troubleshoot, and master the vast ecosystem of Linux.
Finding books that are practical, current, and easy to follow can be tricky. Some are outdated(most of these books were released in the last 5 years or newer), some too general, and others may not provide the step-by-step guidance you need to truly apply what you learn.
That is why I put together this list of the best Linux books to buy in 2025.
Whether you’re a complete beginner, a seasoned system administrator, or a developer looking to level up your skills, these books offer practical insights, real-world examples, and hands-on tutorials you can apply right away.
If you have a suggestion or feedback, feel free to contact us or leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you.
Best Linux Books
1. Linux for Beginners: A Practical and Comprehensive Guide
Authors: Ethem Mining
Quick Overview: This foundational guide is perfect for anyone starting their Linux journey. It breaks down the Linux operating system and command line into easy-to-understand concepts, featuring self-evaluation tests to solidify your understanding and track your progress.
What you will learn from this book:
- Core concepts of the Linux operating system
- Essential Linux command line mastery
- File system navigation and management
- Practical skills with self-testing exercises
Who’s it for: Absolute beginners with no prior Linux experience who want a structured and comprehensive introduction.
2. Learn Embedded Linux Development from Scratch
Authors: Kaia Huel
Quick Overview: A hands-on guide to building custom Linux systems for embedded devices. This book provides practical experience with essential tools like Yocto, U-Boot, Buildroot, and device driver development, taking you from scratch to a capable embedded Linux developer.
What you will learn from this book:
- Building custom Linux systems with Yocto and Buildroot
- Working with U-Boot bootloaders
- Developing and integrating device drivers
- The complete embedded Linux development workflow
Who’s it for: Developers, engineers, and hobbyists interested in creating tailored Linux solutions for embedded hardware.
3. Linux Mint: Quick Guide for Beginners
Authors: Josef Moser
Quick Overview: This beginner-friendly guide simplifies Linux Mint, one of the most popular Ubuntu-based distributions. It offers clear, step-by-step instructions on installation, desktop navigation, software management, and basic troubleshooting, making your start with Linux Mint smooth and confident.
What you will learn from this book:
- Installing and configuring Linux Mint
- Navigating the Cinnamon or MATE desktop environments
- Managing software and updates
- Solving common beginner issues
Who’s it for: New users migrating from other OSes or beginners specifically choosing Linux Mint as their first distribution.
4. Security Strategies in Linux Platforms and Applications
Authors: Michael Jang, Ric Messier
Quick Overview: This comprehensive book delves into securing Linux systems and the applications that run on them. It covers fundamental security principles, access controls, encryption, and hardening techniques, providing a strategic approach to building a robust Linux security posture.
What you will learn from this book:
- Core principles of Linux security
- Implementing access controls and authentication
- Application and network security hardening
- Encryption and compliance strategies
Who’s it for: System administrators, security professionals, and IT students focused on securing Linux-based infrastructure.
5. Mastering Kali Linux for Advanced Penetration Testing
Authors: Vijay Kumar Velu
Quick Overview: An advanced guide to using Kali Linux, the premier toolkit for security testing. This book goes beyond the basics, teaching sophisticated penetration testing methodologies, vulnerability assessment, and exploitation techniques to thoroughly evaluate network security.
What you will learn from this book:
- Advanced penetration testing methodologies
- Exploiting vulnerabilities and maintaining access
- Wireless network and web application testing
- Writing comprehensive security assessment reports
Who’s it for: Security consultants, ethical hackers, and network administrators looking to advance their offensive security skills.
6. Mastering eBPF for Linux Observability and Security
Authors: Robert Austin
Quick Overview: Dive into eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter), a revolutionary technology for Linux observability and security. This hands-on guide teaches you how to build high-performance eBPF programs for tracing system calls, monitoring performance, and creating dynamic firewalls.
What you will learn from this book:
- Fundamentals of eBPF architecture and programming
- Building tools for application and kernel tracing
- Monitoring network performance and security
- Developing custom security enforcement programs
Who’s it for: DevOps engineers, SREs, and security engineers wanting to leverage eBPF for deep system insights and protection.
7. How Linux Works: What Every Superuser Should Know
Authors: Brian Ward
Quick Overview: A classic tome that explains the inner workings of a Linux system. Instead of just teaching commands, it delves into the “why,” covering everything from boot process and kernel management to networking and shell scripting, giving you the knowledge of a true Linux superuser.
What you will learn from this book:
- The Linux boot process from BIOS to init
- How the kernel manages devices and resources
- Networking, file systems, and shell workings
- Essential system administration fundamentals
Who’s it for: Curious users, aspiring system administrators, and anyone who wants to move from basic use to understanding the Linux system deeply.
8. Red Hat Enterprise Linux Troubleshooting Guide
Authors: Benjamin Cane
Quick Overview: This practical guide is dedicated to the art and science of troubleshooting Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) and related systems. It provides a systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving common and complex issues affecting performance, boot processes, and applications.
What you will learn from this book:
- A systematic methodology for effective troubleshooting
- Diagnosing boot failures and performance bottlenecks
- Analyzing system logs and application errors
- Solving hardware, filesystem, and network issues
Who’s it for: System administrators, support engineers, and DevOps professionals working with RHEL, CentOS, or Fedora systems.
9. SELinux System Administration
Authors: Sven Vermeulen
Quick Overview: Master Mandatory Access Control (MAC) with SELinux to significantly enhance your Linux system’s security. This book demystifies SELinux policies, user and process confinement, and troubleshooting, empowering you to enforce strict security controls on users, applications, and information flows.
What you will learn from this book:
- Core concepts of SELinux and Mandatory Access Control
- Managing SELinux policies, users, and roles
- Confinement of applications and services
- Diagnosing and fixing common SELinux policy violations
Who’s it for: Security-focused system administrators and anyone responsible for hardening Linux servers in regulated environments.
10. The Linux Command Line: A Complete Introduction
Authors: William Shotts
Quick Overview: Widely regarded as one of the best books for truly mastering the Linux command line. It doesn’t just list commands; it teaches you how to combine them creatively to solve complex problems through scripting and shell proficiency, transforming you from a user into a power user.
What you will learn from this book:
- Mastery of essential and advanced command-line utilities
- Writing effective shell scripts for automation
- Understanding the shell environment and customization
- Powerful text processing with filters and regular expressions
Who’s it for: Anyone from beginners to experienced users who wants to achieve true fluency and productivity in the Linux shell.
11. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS Desktop: Applications and Administration
Authors: Richard Petersen
Quick Overview: This comprehensive guide covers the Ubuntu 24.04 LTS desktop experience from installation to advanced administration. It expertly bridges GUI tools and command-line utilities, helping you customize your environment, manage software, and troubleshoot issues effectively.
What you will learn from this book:
- Installing and configuring Ubuntu 24.04 Desktop
- Managing desktop applications and settings
- System administration and maintenance tasks
- Both GUI and CLI approaches to problem-solving
Who’s it for: Ubuntu desktop users of all levels, from beginners setting up their system to intermediates looking to deepen their administrative skills.
12. Kali Linux Penetration Testing Bible
Authors: Gus Khawaja
Quick Overview: Your ultimate guide to ethical hacking with Kali Linux. This book serves as a comprehensive reference for penetration testing tools and techniques, covering everything from initial reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning to exploitation and post-exploitation tactics.
What you will learn from this book:
- The complete penetration testing lifecycle
- Using Kali Linux tools for reconnaissance and scanning
- Exploitation techniques for various vulnerabilities
- Post-exploitation and writing professional reports
Who’s it for: Aspiring ethical hackers, security analysts, and penetration testers starting their journey with Kali Linux.
13. Linux Visual Guide: Step-By-Step Manual
Authors: Ben Bloomfield
Quick Overview: A unique visual approach to learning Linux. This guide uses step-by-step screenshots, diagrams, and illustrations to teach Linux basics, command line usage, and server operation, making complex concepts much easier to grasp for visual learners.
What you will learn from this book:
- Linux fundamentals through visual aids
- Command line basics and file management
- Introduction to the Vim text editor
- Basic remote server connection and operation
Who’s it for: Complete beginners and visual learners who find traditional text-heavy manuals intimidating.
14. Arch Linux Handbook: From Beginner to Expert
Authors: Miller Y. Baker
Quick Overview: This handbook is your guide to the powerful and customizable Arch Linux distribution. It takes you from a bare installation to expert-level customization, covering the Arch Way, package management with Pacman, system maintenance, and performance optimization.
What you will learn from this book:
- The philosophy and installation process of Arch Linux
- Mastering Pacman and AUR for package management
- System customization, configuration, and troubleshooting
- Performance tuning and optimization techniques
Who’s it for: Enthusiasts, power users, and administrators who want full control over their Linux system and are ready to learn the Arch Way.
If you want free Linux learning resources, check out our list of free Linux books.
Other Linux resources worth visiting:
- Best Linux Laptops – Perfect for those who are working, students and gamers.
- Best Ubuntu Books to buy
- Linux courses at Udemy
- Linux courses at Edureka
- Linux courses at edX
