Recommendations for a beginner level Linux book?

Since there's about 90% downtime at work, I was going to play around with Linux. Got Ubuntu installed on a VM. Are there any good beginner level books? Right now I'm reading The Linux Command Line: A Complete Introduction. I'm not sure how great of an overview that will provide. Any recommendations would be appreciated, thanks!

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stryder144

I would recommend either this book or this book. Essentially, the second book is the most current version of the first. I have the first, so I cannot comment on the second one, quality-wise. Both books cover RPM and DEB based Linux systems. I found reading through the first book to be quite useful.

quickman007

REMOVED UNNECESSARY QUOTED REPLY FROM PREVIOUS POST
Huh, funny I didn't even think of a certification related Linux book. I'll definitely check those out.

kurosaki00

Linux admin guide got me through a job I had.
Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide, Fifth Edition: Wale Soyinka: 9780071545884: Amazon.com: Books

5th edition is hella cheap too

JockVSJock

IMO, Linux Bible is the be all and end all, the alpha and the omega.

BlackBeret

I'll second the Linux Bible.

DoubleNNs

Ughhh.. I absolutely hated the Sybex Linux+ books.

I think The Linux Command Line is perfect as a primer. You won't really learn much about Linux as an OS per se, but you'll feel very comfortable on the CLI.

After The Linux Command Line I'd either go to Unix Shell Programming or The Linux Bible, depending on whether you're more interested in systems or automation.
Unix Shell Programming (3rd Edition): Stephen G. Kochan, Patrick Wood: 9780672324901: Amazon.com: Books

Then I'd go w/ The Linux Academy website.

OfWolfAndMan

DoubleNNs wrote: »

Ughhh.. I absolutely hated the Sybex Linux+ books.

I think The Linux Command Line is perfect as a primer. You won't really learn much about Linux as an OS per se, but you'll feel very comfortable on the CLI.

After The Linux Command Line I'd either go to Unix Shell Programming or The Linux Bible, depending on whether you're more interested in systems or automation.
Unix Shell Programming (3rd Edition): Stephen G. Kochan, Patrick Wood: 9780672324901: Amazon.com: Books

Then I'd go w/ The Linux Academy website.

I second this book. Excellent for the beginner, and even gets into some basic bash scripting as well.

quickman007

kurosaki00 wrote: »

Linux admin guide got me through a job I had.
Linux Administration: A Beginner's Guide, Fifth Edition: Wale Soyinka: 9780071545884: Amazon.com: Books

5th edition is hella cheap too

It looks great but I noticed its from 2008. Would the information still be relevant today?

I'll definitely check out the rest of the books mentioned. The Linux Bible looks awesome! Thanks everyone!

stryder144

I forgot about the Linux Bible...awesome resource. As for a book from 2008...most of it is still relevant.

yzT

I would not recommend you any book. Read some online tutorial about CLI and the Linux's directory tree, and then just start playing around. Install and configure a web server, then a DNS server, then a NTP server, etc etc

UnixGuy

the Linux+ book is pretty good. Don't bother with the certification, just study the book

koz24

It is vendor specific, but I'd recommend RHCSA & RHCE Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7: Training and Exam Preparation Guide (EX200 and EX300), Third Edition: Asghar Ghori: 9781495148200: Amazon.com: Books
RHCSA is a great vendor-specific entry-level cert to have on your resume.

DoubleNNs

quickman007 wrote: »

It looks great but I noticed its from 2008. Would the information still be relevant today?

I'll definitely check out the rest of the books mentioned. The Linux Bible looks awesome! Thanks everyone!

There's a 6th edition available, from 2012. There's also a 7th edition currently in the works, slated to be released Q4 2015.
Most of the material in the older editions will still be relevant, from a fundamental standpoint. But some things have definitely changed, such as systems, some deprecated utilities, and newer ways of doing things. Ironically, altho learning some of the newer features will future-proof your skills, it might confuse you if you plan on applying your knowledge in the short term in a job.

paul78

Just a thought - if you want a cheap easy intro - try the TLDP (I.e. The Linux Documentation Project) - this is actually a decent place to start - Linux Installation and Getting Started