Bitcoin Books
Foundational Reads on Bitcoin
This post is part of our Bitcoin Resources series, a curated collection of articles, books, podcasts, and videos that were pivotal in shaping our understanding of Bitcoin.
In this edition, we focus on must-read books, organized by themes to guide you from foundational knowledge to advanced topics. These books are ideal for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of Bitcoin’s history, technology, macroeconomic implications, and beyond.
How to use this book guide
Start with the Basics: Begin with foundational books that explain Bitcoin’s origins, purpose, and role as a form of money.
Explore Key Themes: Move through sections on history, technology, and macroeconomic insights to develop a comprehensive perspective.
1. Bitcoin basics: laying the groundwork
Understanding Bitcoin begins with its fundamentals. This section introduces Bitcoin’s origins, its economic significance, and why it’s considered a revolutionary form of money.
The Little Bitcoin Book explains what’s wrong with the current monetary system and how Bitcoin was invented to provide an alternative, making it an essential starting point for anyone new to Bitcoin.
The Bitcoin Standard by Saifedean Ammous analyzes the rise of Bitcoin, exploring its economic properties and the implications of its adoption. This book is often regarded as a must-read for understanding Bitcoin’s role in the global economy.
Bitcoin Clarity uses mental models and visuals to demystify the blockchain, making it a great choice for those who prefer a conceptual approach to understanding Bitcoin’s mechanics.
2. Bitcoin history: learning from the past
Bitcoin is increasingly seen as an investment asset, this section equips readers with insights to navigate Bitcoin’s value proposition as part of a portfolio.
Digital Gold by Nathaniel Popper tells the inside story of Bitcoin’s early adopters, including misfits and visionaries who helped build the network.
Bitcoin Billionaires by Ben Mezrich recounts the story of the Winklevoss twins and their journey into Bitcoin, making it a fascinating tale of redemption and innovation.
Kings of Crypto delves into Coinbase’s rise and its quest to bring cryptocurrency to the mainstream, providing insights into Silicon Valley’s role in the crypto movement.
The Blocksize War details the battle over Bitcoin’s protocol rules, offering a gripping account of the community’s struggle to maintain decentralization.
The Book of Satoshi collects the writings of Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, providing a unique glimpse into the philosophy behind Bitcoin.
CryptoDad by Christopher Giancarlo chronicles the fight for Bitcoin’s legitimacy and the push for regulatory clarity in the U.S.
Tracers in the Dark explores the global hunt for cryptocurrency crime lords, shedding light on the darker side of Bitcoin’s history.
Reckless examines the rise of cryptocurrency lending and its implications, providing critical insights into Bitcoin’s financial innovations.
The Genesis Book recounts the people and projects that inspired Bitcoin, offering a historical context for its development.
3. Bitcoin technology: how it works
A deep understanding of Bitcoin requires exploring its underlying technology. This section highlights books that break down Bitcoin’s technical foundations and innovations.
Inventing Bitcoin by Yan Pritzker explains Bitcoin’s core technology in simple terms, making it a perfect entry point for non-technical readers.
Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas M. Antonopoulos provides a comprehensive guide to programming and understanding the Bitcoin blockchain.
Why Bitcoin Is Different dives into how to program Bitcoin from scratch, offering a technical perspective for developers.
Bitcoin: A Work in Progress explores technical innovations within Bitcoin development, shedding light on its ongoing evolution.
Mastering the Lightning Network provides an in-depth look at Bitcoin’s second-layer payment protocol, ideal for understanding scalability solutions.
4. Bitcoin and the macro perspective
Bitcoin’s significance extends beyond technology into macroeconomics, societal change, and philosophy. These books explore Bitcoin’s transformative impact on the global monetary system.
Why Buy Bitcoin explains Bitcoin’s potential as a long-term investment, addressing its role in the future of money.
Layered Money by Nik Bhatia traces the evolution of money from gold to Bitcoin, illustrating its place in the monetary hierarchy.
The 7th Property delves into Bitcoin as the next stage in the monetary revolution, offering a comprehensive view of its economic importance.
Check Your Financial Privilege by Alex Gladstein highlights Bitcoin’s global impact, particularly in empowering individuals in oppressive financial systems.
Softwar explores Bitcoin’s significance in national strategy, presenting it as a tool for geopolitical power.
Broken Money examines the failures of our current financial system and how Bitcoin offers a path to a better future.
5. Technology and innovation: broader context
Bitcoin’s innovation is part of a broader technological story. This section includes books that explore decentralized systems, technological progress, and the foundations of digital money.
The Starfish and the Spider examines the power of leaderless organizations, offering insights into Bitcoin’s decentralized structure.
The Price of Tomorrow by Jeff Booth discusses why deflation, enabled by technologies like Bitcoin, is key to a prosperous future.
What Technology Wants explores technology as a living force, providing a philosophical lens to understand Bitcoin’s role in technological evolution.
The Idea Factory tells the story of Bell Labs, illustrating the innovation that set the stage for modern technology.
The Chip recounts the invention of the microchip by two American engineers, a groundbreaking technological achievement that underpins modern computing and Bitcoin infrastructure.
Chip War explores the geopolitical battle over microchip technology, highlighting its critical role in global power dynamics and Bitcoin’s reliance on cutting-edge hardware.
How the Internet Happened provides a historical account of the digital revolution, offering context for Bitcoin’s emergence.
The Code Book delves into the history of cryptography, tracing its evolution from ancient Egypt to modern quantum cryptography, providing crucial context for the secure foundations of Bitcoin.
Crypto explores how a group of code rebels battled government oversight to preserve privacy, laying the groundwork for Bitcoin’s cryptographic innovations.
6. Money and monetary systems
This section examines books on the history of money, monetary policy, and financial crises to provide context for Bitcoin’s emergence.
A Monetary History of the United States by Milton Friedman explores the evolution of U.S. monetary policy, offering a historical backdrop for Bitcoin’s rise.
Changing Fortunes examines the global monetary landscape and America’s role within it, providing insights into the challenges Bitcoin seeks to address.
21st Century Monetary Policy explains the Federal Reserve’s history and actions, contextualizing Bitcoin’s relevance in a fiat-driven world.
Borrowed Time recounts Citi’s history, shedding light on systemic issues in banking.
Treasury’s War explores the use of financial warfare, illustrating the vulnerabilities of traditional financial systems.
Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises by Ray Dalio examines the dynamics of debt cycles, providing a macroeconomic framework for Bitcoin’s appeal.
This curated guide offers a comprehensive roadmap to understanding Bitcoin. By starting with the basics, exploring its history, diving into its technology, and examining its macroeconomic significance, these books provide the tools to navigate Bitcoin’s transformative potential.
For more curated resources, visit our Bitcoin Resources section. Stay curious, and keep learning!