7 ASP.NET Core Books for Beginners to Build Strong Foundations

What started as Jonas Fagerberg's mission to simplify complex programming concepts became a detailed guide tailored for intermediate C# developers eager to master ASP.NET Core 2.0 MVC and Razor Pages. Drawing from decades of teaching and consulting, Fagerberg breaks down essential web application building blocks, guiding you through creating three progressively complex projects—from an empty template to MVC and Razor Page applications, including a multi-project solution with Entity Framework Core integration. You'll gain hands-on experience with middleware, services, dependency injection, and responsive design using Bootstrap, equipping you with practical skills that extend beyond theory. If you're comfortable with C# fundamentals and want a focused, no-fluff path to ASP.NET Core 2.0, this book fits your goals without overwhelming you.

What started as a practical guide by Andreas Helland, an experienced software engineer with deep expertise in both development and infrastructure, became a clear pathway into ASP.NET Core 5. The book breaks down complex frameworks into manageable pieces, covering essentials like Blazor for interactive UIs, Entity Framework Core for data access, and deploying apps using containers and cloud services like AWS and Azure. You’ll find useful examples such as implementing identity security and building RESTful APIs, which make the concepts tangible. It offers solid grounding for developers familiar with C# who want to confidently build modern web applications without feeling overwhelmed.

This tailored book explores the journey from novice to confident ASP.NET Core developer through a personalized learning path designed to match your background and goals. It covers foundational concepts and gradually introduces practical development techniques, ensuring you build confidence steadily without feeling overwhelmed. By focusing on your specific interests and skill level, it removes unnecessary complexity and highlights the essentials that matter most for beginners. The book examines core topics like setting up projects, understanding middleware, and working with Razor Pages, all delivered in a way that adapts to your learning pace. This personalized approach makes complex ideas accessible and supports your progress toward becoming a proficient ASP.NET Core developer.

Unlike most ASP.NET Core books that focus heavily on advanced concepts, this edition by Joel Murach and Mary Delamater breaks down the MVC pattern and web app development into manageable, practical lessons tailored for those with basic C# knowledge. You get a solid foundation in building responsive, maintainable web apps through clear explanations and hands-on exercises, covering debugging, Razor views, Entity Framework Core, and deployment to Azure. For example, the book’s paired-pages format distinctly separates theory and code, making it simpler to grasp complex topics like dependency injection and identity management. If you’re looking for a straightforward, well-structured introduction that won’t overwhelm, this book fits the bill perfectly.

Valerio De Sanctis leverages over two decades of experience in web development and leadership roles to demystify building web APIs with ASP.NET Core. This book guides you through the entire process of creating a functioning API, from setting up your environment to deploying on cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure. You’ll gain hands-on skills in crafting RESTful and GraphQL APIs, working with Entity Framework Core for data modeling, and utilizing Minimal APIs to write concise, efficient code. It's designed for developers with some .NET background who want a clear, project-based path to mastering web API development. If you prefer learning by doing with practical examples, this book fits that approach well but may move too quickly if you’re entirely new to programming.

Adam Freeman's extensive experience as a chief technology officer and chief operating officer brings a practical depth to this guide on ASP.NET Core 3. You’ll find detailed explanations of middleware, request model binding, and dependency injection, plus clear examples of MVC 3, Razor Pages, and Blazor applications. The book is structured to help you build a robust foundation and progressively tackle advanced topics, making it especially useful if you have some Microsoft web development background but want to expand your skills. While dense in places, it’s a solid resource for developers aiming to master modern ASP.NET Core web applications.

This tailored book explores foundational ASP.NET Core principles through a personalized learning journey crafted specifically for your background and goals. It focuses on introducing concepts progressively to build your confidence without overwhelm, covering essential topics like middleware, routing, and dependency injection. By addressing your specific skill level and learning pace, the book ensures each chapter matches your interests and comfort zone, making complex ideas approachable and engaging. You gain practical understanding of core features and best practices, enabling steady progress through hands-on examples and clear explanations. Designed for those new to ASP.NET Core, this personalized guide reveals the framework's building blocks with clarity and focus. It delivers tailored content that fits your unique needs, helping you master key concepts at a pace that suits you and supports your learning journey.

Drawing from two decades in IT and leadership across financial and insurance sectors, Valerio De Sanctis crafted this book to bridge the gap between backend and frontend development using ASP.NET Core 3.1 and Angular 9. You’ll learn how to build a full-stack web application starting from API creation with .NET Core to frontend reactive forms with Angular, including database management with Entity Framework Core and deploying on Windows or Linux servers. Chapters on unit testing with xUnit and Jasmine, alongside authentication using ASP.NET Identity and IdentityServer, equip you with practical skills to develop secure and maintainable applications. This book suits both newcomers eager to grasp full-stack development and experienced ASP.NET developers looking to integrate Angular effectively.

Unlike most ASP.NET Core books that focus purely on syntax and frameworks, Carl-Hugo Marcotte’s guide takes you through a practical journey into design patterns and architectural principles tailored for .NET 5 and C#. You'll gain concrete skills in applying SOLID principles, dependency injection, and key design patterns like strategy and decorator, all contextualized within ASP.NET Core. The book’s progression from component-scale to application-scale patterns, including clean architecture and microservices, offers a clear roadmap for building maintainable web apps. If you’re comfortable with basic C# and want to deepen your architectural thinking for scalable projects, this book provides a structured yet accessible approach without drowning you in jargon.