Best of Bitcoin Literature

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.

• Published: October 31, 2008
• Written by: Satoshi Nakamoto

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.

• Published: April 24, 2018
• Written by: Saifedean Ammous

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.

• Published: July 1st, 2017
• Written by: Andreas M. Antonopoulos

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.

• Published: May 24, 2016
• Written by: Nathaniel Popper

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

• Published: April 28, 2019
• Written by: Kalle Rosenbaum

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.

• Published: January 17, 2019
• Written by: Yan Pritzker

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.

• Published: August 29, 2016
• Written by: Andreas M. Antonopoulos

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.

• Published: November 22, 2017
• Written by: Andreas M. Antonopoulos

Author and software developer Jimmy Song recommends intermediate level Python programming skills to start diving into Programming Bitcoin.

Dive into Bitcoin technology with this hands-on guide from one of the leading teachers on Bitcoin and Bitcoin programming. Author Jimmy Song shows Python programmers and developers how to program a Bitcoin library from scratch. You’ll learn how to work with the basics, including the math, blocks, network, and transactions behind this popular cryptocurrency and its blockchain payment system.

• Published: March 2, 2019
• Written by: Jimmy Song

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.

• Published: March 31, 2019
• Written by: Michael Caras

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.

• Published: July 22, 2014
• Written by: Phil Champagne