10 Cloud Computing Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

JJ Geewax, a software engineer at Google specializing in Google Cloud Platform and API design, brings firsthand expertise to this detailed guide on deploying scalable applications using GCP. You’ll learn to navigate a wide range of Google services—from hosting WordPress sites to integrating advanced AI features like image recognition and natural language processing. The book breaks down complex topics such as cloud storage options, serverless computing with Cloud Functions, and container orchestration using Kubernetes, making them approachable even if you’re new to cloud platforms. If you’re an intermediate developer aiming to build reliable, scalable cloud-based solutions, this book provides practical insights grounded in real Google infrastructure.

When Dr. Logan Song first discovered how cloud computing integrates complex services across AWS, Azure, and GCP, he set out to demystify these platforms for IT professionals transitioning into the cloud arena. This book guides you from foundational compute and storage concepts to advanced machine learning pipelines and security architectures, using real-world projects and business cases to deepen your understanding. You’ll learn to navigate multi-cloud environments, design robust data workflows, and prepare for industry certifications that validate your expertise. The book suits both newcomers with basic IT knowledge and seasoned professionals aiming to broaden their cloud skills and career opportunities.

This personalized framework provides core concepts and foundational skills essential for cloud computing professionals. It focuses on a tailored approach to cloud architecture, deployment models, and service management, adapting to your specific industry and professional goals. The book offers methodologies for understanding cloud security, automation, and scalability, integrating best practices customized to your experience level and target platforms. By cutting through irrelevant advice, it fits your specific context, enabling efficient mastery of cloud computing fundamentals. Key strategies include hands-on implementation guidance, adaptive learning paths, and practical frameworks that bridge theory and real-world application.

When Ankush Chowdhary first realized how critical security knowledge was for cloud professionals, he teamed up with Prashant Kulkarni to create this focused guide for Google Cloud's security certification. You’ll learn to design, develop, and manage secure cloud infrastructures, delving into identity management, network security, data encryption, and emerging topics like BeyondCorp Zero Trust. The book walks you through Google Cloud’s shared responsibility model and practical tools like Security Command Center, supported by real-world examples and practice questions. If you’re aiming to deepen your Google Cloud security skills or prepare for certification, this book delivers thorough, hands-on understanding without fluff.

What if everything you knew about cloud security certifications was wrong? This guide by Leslie Fife, Aaron Kraus, and Bryan Lewis reexamines the complexities of cloud security through the lens of the CCSP certification, offering a detailed breakdown of six critical domains such as Cloud Data Security and Legal, Risk, and Compliance. You gain a thorough understanding of designing, managing, and securing cloud environments, supported by diagrams, sample questions, and real-world best practices. This book suits IT professionals aiming to deepen their technical expertise and prepare for advanced credentialing, particularly those responsible for cloud security architecture and operations.

When Konrad Cłapa first discovered the full scope of Google Cloud Platform's capabilities, he realized the lack of a clear, structured guide tailored to aspiring Professional Cloud Architects. This book walks you through essential GCP services from computing and storage to security and networking, with updated coverage on Cloud Run, Anthos, and Data Fusion that reflects current industry demands. You’ll gain hands-on familiarity with designing scalable cloud solutions and understanding exam-specific scenarios, building confidence for certification. If you are an IT professional aiming to deepen your expertise in Google Cloud architecture or prepare for the certification, this book offers focused, practical knowledge without unnecessary fluff.

This tailored book on cloud security provides an in-depth exploration of techniques and frameworks designed to safeguard cloud environments and data assets. It offers a personalized framework that adjusts to your specific industry, cloud platform, and compliance requirements, focusing on practical strategies for threat detection, risk mitigation, and regulatory adherence. The content covers foundational concepts such as identity and access management, encryption methodologies, and network security, while also delving into advanced topics like zero trust architecture and continuous compliance monitoring. By cutting through irrelevant advice, it fits your specific context, enabling targeted implementation of security controls that address contemporary cloud challenges effectively.

Iman Ghanizada brings a wealth of expertise from his pivotal role at Google Cloud, where he spearheaded security frameworks that shaped the company's cloud strategy. In this guide, you gain clear insights into designing and managing secure, scalable cloud solutions aligned with business needs, including chapters on cloud identity, resource management, and data analytics. The book suits professionals aiming to pass the Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect exam and those seeking a reliable resource to deepen their practical understanding of cloud architecture. Its detailed practice questions and explanations bridge theory and hands-on application, making it a solid reference for both exam prep and real-world challenges.

Drawing from his extensive experience as an SRE technical lead and early advocate of cloud-native technologies, Matthew A. Titmus offers a focused exploration of using Go to build resilient and scalable cloud native services. You’ll dive into Go’s concurrency primitives like goroutines and channels, learning how they underpin reliable distributed systems, while progressing through design patterns and architectural strategies that address real-world cloud computing challenges. The book methodically walks you through developing a distributed key-value store, making complex concepts tangible and applicable. This is a solid choice if you’re an intermediate to advanced developer aiming to leverage Go’s strengths for cloud computing, though beginners may find some sections demanding.

The Future of Computing challenges the assumption that cloud technology is merely an infrastructure tool, instead positioning it as the central driver of digital transformation. Satyanarayan Kanungo, with his extensive background in big data and cloud architecture, walks you through the evolution of cloud computing, highlighting how it integrates AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics to redefine business workflows. You’ll find detailed discussions on optimizing Hadoop and Spark, plus practical insights on managing data pipelines with Kubernetes. This book suits professionals aiming to deepen their technical understanding and leverage cloud innovations for strategic advantage.

When organizations and individuals struggle to grasp the fundamentals of cloud computing, Ben Piper and David Clinton step in with a clear, focused resource designed to bridge that gap. Drawing from their extensive certifications and experience in AWS and IT infrastructure, they offer you a thorough walkthrough of the AWS Cloud's core concepts, architectural principles, and essential services. The book doesn't just introduce AWS basics; it dives into security models, compliance, pricing strategies, and practical use cases, such as compute and analytics offerings. Whether you're in technical roles, management, sales, or finance, this guide equips you with the knowledge to confidently approach the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam and understand how AWS solutions drive business value.

Drawing from their extensive experience in large-scale data infrastructure and analytics, Danil Zburivsky and Lynda Partner present a detailed six-layer framework for designing cloud data platforms that enhance flexibility and cut costs. You’ll gain practical knowledge on ingesting diverse data types, leveraging cloud vendor services, and managing real-time analytics and metadata effectively. The book delves into balancing structured and unstructured data, implementing security best practices, and integrating advanced BI tools, making it ideal for data professionals familiar with cloud basics and big data technologies like Spark. If your role involves architecting scalable cloud solutions or optimizing data workflows, this book offers a grounded perspective without overpromising.