Like with every new technology, Bitcoin has received a lot of publicity over the years and continues to do so. But in a market full of thousands of books on bitcoin, blockchain, and cryptocurrency, finding the right books can prove challenging.
In this guide, we list ten bitcoin and blockchain books you should consider reading in 2021. All books have been ranked using their GoodReads.com reader’s rankings.
Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas Antonopoulos
Mastering Bitcoin is an excellent book by Andreas Antonopoulos for anyone keen on learning about Bitcoin and digital currencies. Published in 2014, the book is an important read for anyone who wants to learn about the basics of Bitcoin, its technical operations, and also for anyone developing the next generation Bitcoin business or app.
Although the book is technical and may not be ideal for newbies, it is a must-have for techies, such as system admins, programmers, security, and technical support specialists. Still, the first two chapters are pretty much for everyone, including newbies.
Antonopoulos takes readers into an in-depth look at various components of cryptocurrencies such as keys, addresses, network protocols, mining, and data structures that underpin Bitcoin. He uses user stories, examples, and simple analogies as well as code snippets to explain the technical topics.
Mastering Bitcoin can be used as a textbook to teach cryptocurrency courses in colleges and universities, as a study guide for Bitcoin entrepreneurs, or as a reference book for people in the technical profession.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 4.3
Digital Gold: Bitcoin and the Inside Story of the Misfits and Millionaires Trying to Reinvent Money by Nathaniel Popper
Digital Gold is a book authored by New York Times journalist Nathaniel Popper. In his book, Popper tells the story of Bitcoin through the eyes of some fascinating personalities that are working to create a new digital money.
The book explores the history of Bitcoin, the landmark financial technology and digital money that has brought about a global social movement. Popper tells the Bitcoin story through some key characters who have charted the way for Bitcoin, such as a Chinese entrepreneur, an Argentinian millionaire, as well as its elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Digital Gold is an interesting and amusing read for people who like bitcoin, history, and technology.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 4.2
The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous
The Bitcoin Standard, authored by Saifedean Ammous, explores the historical context that has led to the growth of Bitcoin.
Ammous delves into the economic properties that have contributed to the rapid growth of Bitcoin, as well as its economic, social, and political implications. He lists the properties of money from a historical perspective, including the evolution of money to what we know it as today. He goes ahead to discuss how the technologies that were got their monetary role, setting the stage for an economic discussion.
The Bitcoin Standard is an excellent read for newbies as it does not focus too much on the technicalities of Bitcoin. Instead, it is a thoroughly researched book that offers a wealth of information on Bitcoin.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 4.2
The Internet of Money by Andreas Antonopoulos
The Internet of Money is another classic by Andreas Antonopoulos, a computer scientist and vocal Bitcoin advocate.
While in his previous book, Mastering Bitcoin, Antonopoulos delves into the how of Bitcoin, in The Internet of Money, he looks into the why. In this book, he contextualizes and examines the importance of Bitcoin. This he does via a series of essays that look at the journey of the digital currency. Since its inception in 2008, Bitcoin has continued to disrupt traditional industries in a bid to bring financial independence to both the unbanked and underbanked. It is because of this reason that Antonopoulos explains in his book that Bitcoin is both a technological and financial evolution whose potential exceeds the current label of digital currency.
The book does a good job of exploring how Bitcoin is changing people’s approach to solving political, economic, and social problems through the blockchain. This is an excellent book for those who want to understand the question: “Why Bitcoin?”
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 4.1
The Book of Satoshi: The Collected Writings of Bitcoin Creator Satoshi Nakamoto by Phil Champagne
The Books of Satoshi is another excellent read authored by Phil Champagne. In this book, Champagne publishes an in-depth compilation of all the content that was posted online by its pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Nakamoto’s identity remains anonymous, only existing through what is believed to be his publications when he was introducing and explaining the concept of Bitcoin in the early days of its inception. In the book, Champagne includes Nakamoto’s emails as well as various posts published on computer forums; the fundamentals of Bitcoin presented in simpler terms; its potential and profound economic implications; and the Seminal Paper that started it all.
Champagne takes readers through the history of Bitcoin and its creator’s life, making this a must-have for anyone that wants to understand the genesis of Bitcoin.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 4.1
The Age of Cryptocurrency: How Bitcoin and the Blockchain Are Challenging the Global Economic Order by Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey
The Age of Cryptocurrency is written by Paul Vigna and Michael J. Casey, both Wall Street journalists. Vigna and Casey, in their book, address the question, “Why Care About Bitcoin?”. Although bitcoin can be used to buy almost anything from cars to coffee, there are only a handful of people who actually understand what bitcoin is. In this book, both authors try to explain why people should care about bitcoin and why it shouldn’t be ignored.
Vigna and Casey demystify what cryptocurrency is by looking at its origin, function, as well as how to go about a cyber-economy. Simply put, the book is ideal for anyone keen on learning what to expect from cryptocurrencies and how to be ready for the revolution they’ll cause.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 3.9
The Truth Machine: The Blockchain and the Future of Everything by Michael J. Casey and Paul Vigna
The Truth Machine is another exciting book authored by Michael J. Casey and Paul Vigna. In this book, both Casey and Vigna demystify the blockchain and its potential benefits.
They discuss how blockchain technology can help give back personal control over our data, identities, assets; change the power balance to save society’s faith in itself; and give the unbanked and underbanked access to the global economy. In addition, they take an in-depth look at the disruption that the blockchain will provide and the industries that will be revolutionized, such as tech, finance, shipping, and legal.
They go on to explore the challenges that will come about when replacing the “trusted” institutions we have come to rely on for centuries with a technology that eludes them. These include job losses, threat to social coherence, and the assertion of special interests when the shift will happen. The Truth Machine is an excellent read for anyone wanting to understand the changes and paradigm shift that the blockchain will create.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 3.7
The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is a book authored by Klaus Schwab. Schwab is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
In his book, Schwab explains how the fourth industrial revolution will change the way we live and work. He argues that this revolution will be different not only in scope and scale, but also in its complexity. He goes on to discuss how it won’t be similar to anything we’ve had before as it will be characterized by various new technologies that will join together the biological, digital, and physical worlds. He goes on to explain how these changes will affect all industries, governments, industries, and economies.
According to Schwab, the fourth industrial revolution will be more significant, with its impact being more profound than in any previous time in human history. Excellent book for readers who are keen on understanding the key technologies that will drive the fourth industrial revolution.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 3.7
Shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwab
Shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution is another book by Klaus Schwab to make our list of must-reads.
In this book, Schwab discusses how people from all sectors and backgrounds can influence how technology will alter our world. He presents a guide for business leaders, policy-makers, citizens, and social influencers by drawing contributions from leading economic, technological, and sociological experts. This book focuses on the key evolutions of the technology revolution, explores the twelve different technology areas that are central to humanity’s future, and outlines important stakeholders who are oftentimes overlooked when it comes to discussions on the latest scientific breakthroughs.
This book is for individuals and leaders – both in businesses and governments – who want to better understand how they can shape a better future at a time of change and great uncertainty.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 3.7
The Business Blockchain: Promise, Practice, and Application of the Next Internet Technology by William Mougayar
The Business Blockchain by William Mougayar delves into the what, the why, and the how of the blockchain.
He explores how this new technology will redefine governance, roles, power, and relationships besides the flow of value. It’s not about what the blockchain can solve but rather what its potential is. As a technology expert with more than 34 years’ experience in the industry, Mougayar takes the readers through a journey that will enable them to understand the fundamental shifts that blockchain technology will bring about.
Mougayar’s book is perfect for anyone that wants to understand how to think about the blockchain. For business-minded people, the book provides them with a chance to understand the many features of blockchain technology. Additionally, the book provides technologists with an opportunity to better understand blockchain’s potential in businesses.
GoodReads.com reader’s ranking: 3.5
To learn more about investment opportunities in the cryptocurrency market, contact a Finivi financial advisor today.
