12 books to learn about Bitcoin in 2021

On October 2008, a paper was published in a cryptography mailing list at metzdowd.com detailing a new peer-to-peer electronic currency called Bitcoin marking the birth of decentralized digital currencies and blockchain technology. The paper was written using the pseudonym ‘Satoshi Nakamoto’, and it had no copyright claims whatsoever; to this day, the identity of the author is highly disputed. Nakamoto implemented the bitcoin software as open-source code and released it in January 2009.

Written by academic and professor of economics, Saifedean Ammous, The Bitcoin Standard discusses the history of money, the relationship between economics and society, and why bitcoin constitutes 'good money'. The book praises bitcoin as an excellent alternative to central banking, diving deep into how Bitcoin relates to, or can integrate with, the economic and banking systems we currently have in place today.

Written by Andreas Antonopoulos, a vocal bitcoin advocate, computer scientist, entrepreneur and an engaging public speaker gives a thorough explanation of the infrastructure of the Bitcoin blockchain. Mastering Bitcoin begins with a gentle introduction to the ideas and concepts behind Bitcoin, to a detailed technical explanation of how the Bitcoin network works. The book is best suited for those who have a basic understanding of programming and cryptography as it also teaches you how to create a blockchain of your own.

Written by New York Times journalist Nathaniel Popper, Digital Gold tells the story of bitcoin through the eyes of some of the movement's most colorful characters. Learn more about the early history of Bitcoin and the entrepeneurial personalities who have played seminal roles in its' development. For readers who like bitcoin, technology, and history, this book makes for an amusing and interesting read.

Grokking Bitcoin does a spectacular job reinforcing key technical aspects and illustrating some of the more complex topics surrounding Bitcoin. Learn about digital signatures, proof-of-work, peer-to-peer networks, segregated witness, and much more

With 'Inventing Bitcoin' author Yan Pritzker set out on a clear mission: to explain the underlying technology of Bitcoin. Pritzker goes step by step through what makes Bitcoin work explaining concepts like Proof of Work and mining in language that anyone can understand. After reading, you'll have a very strong understanding of how Bitcoin works, without needing degrees in math, coding, or economics.

The Internet of Money is an edited compilation of some of Andreas' most entertaining and informative talks describing Bitcoin's technical, economic, and societal potentials. Learn about blockchain, keys, addresses, wallets, transactions, scripting, peer to peer networks, mining, security, and more advanced topics such as coloured coins, segregated witness, and the lightning network.

The Internet of Money Volume Two is a collection of talks by Andreas Antonopoulos and a spectacular sequel to the cult classic and bestseller The Internet of Money Volume One. Volume Two contains 11 of his most inspiring and thought-provoking talks, including Introduction to Bitcoin, Blockchain vs Bullshit, Fake News Fake Money, Currency Wars, Bubble Boy and the Sewer Rat, Rocket Science and Ethereum's Killer App, and many more. Volume Two also includes an all-new frequently asked questions section.

Told in the style of a children's book, Bitcoin Money directly answers the #1 question children and adults have about Bitcoin: “Why should I care?” With beautiful illustrations and engaging plot twists, we learn timeless economic lessons.

Written by Phil Champagne as an exhaustive compilation of all publications posted online by bitcoin's pseudonymous creator, The Book of Satoshi provides all of Nakamoto's online posts in a chronological manner with added commentary from the author. It is an exhaustive delve into bitcoin's history for those looking to learn more about Satoshi Nakamoto and bitcoin's past.

Written in 1999 before the widespread adoption of the internet, social media, and Bitcoin, William Rees-Mogg and co-author James Dale Davidson prophesize a digital future that would make the world much more competitive, unequal and unstable. The authors argue that the the internet fundamentally changes the dynamics that currently allow governments to operate and governments will have to change their model in order to survive.