8 Google Cloud Platform Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Curated selections endorsed by Urs Holzle, SVP Technical Infrastructure at Google, and Dario Cabianca, Cloud Architect and author

Updated on June 28, 2025
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What if mastering Google Cloud Platform (GCP) didn't mean sifting through endless tutorials or outdated manuals? Urs Holzle, Google's Senior Vice President of Technical Infrastructure, emphasizes practical understanding alongside theory, illustrating how seasoned professionals navigate this complex ecosystem. As businesses increasingly rely on GCP for scalable, secure infrastructure, knowing which resources offer real insights becomes crucial.

Industry experts like Urs Holzle and Dario Cabianca, a PhD computer scientist and cloud architect with two decades of experience, have identified standout books that address GCP's evolving landscape. Urs highlights JJ Geewax’s "Google Cloud Platform in Action" for its blend of hands-on projects and technical depth, while Dario champions his certification companion tailored to network engineers aiming for proficiency and exam success.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific backgrounds, skill levels, or goals might consider creating a personalized Google Cloud Platform book that builds on these insights for a more targeted learning experience.

Best for hands-on intermediate developers
Urs Holzle, Senior Vice President of Technical Infrastructure at Google, brings a unique perspective to this book that resonates deeply with his expertise in cloud technologies. His endorsement highlights how the book "demonstrates how to use GCP in practice while also explaining how things work under the hood," reflecting its balance between practical application and technical depth. Holzle’s position overseeing Google's infrastructure gives weight to his recommendation, suggesting that the book effectively bridges the gap between theory and real-world implementation. If you want a guide that clarifies the complexities of GCP while showing you how to put its services to work, this book aligns well with that goal.

Recommended by Urs Holzle

SVP Technical Infrastructure at Google

Demonstrates how to use GCP in practice while also explaining how things work under the hood. (from Amazon)

2018·632 pages·Cloud Computing, Google Cloud Platform, Google, API Design, Container Management

JJ Geewax’s experience as a Google software engineer shines through in this detailed guide to building scalable applications on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). You’ll move beyond theory to hands-on skills like deploying WordPress, managing Kubernetes clusters, and leveraging cloud-based AI for tasks like image recognition and natural language processing. The book covers a spectrum of services—from Cloud SQL and BigQuery to Cloud Functions—helping you make smart choices tailored to your application needs. If you’re an intermediate developer eager to master GCP’s ecosystem without prior cloud experience, this book provides practical examples and clear explanations to get you confidently building and managing cloud solutions.

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BookAuthority, a respected platform known for meticulous book assessments, highlighted this companion as "One of the best new Cloud Computing books". Their endorsement comes from deep familiarity with cloud literature and reflects the book's thorough treatment of Google Cloud Platform’s networking challenges. This recognition points to the book's ability to clarify complex concepts and prepare engineers effectively, making it a recommended choice when you’re aiming to strengthen your network engineering skills on GCP.

Recommended by BookAuthority

One of the best new Cloud Computing books (from Amazon)

While working as a Cloud Architect with over 20 years of experience, Dario Cabianca noticed a gap in resources specifically tailored for Google Cloud Platform’s network engineering certification. This book guides you through GCP’s unique networking features like multi-region virtual private clouds, emphasizing practical design and implementation skills vital for the Professional Cloud Network Engineer exam. You’ll explore chapters that link exam topics directly to real-world applications, such as hybrid connectivity and network security, making the material relevant beyond test prep. If you’re a software or cloud engineer aiming to master GCP networking intricacies and certification requirements, this book offers focused knowledge without unnecessary filler.

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Best for personal learning paths
This AI-created book on Google Cloud Platform is crafted based on your background, skill level, and specific goals. By sharing your interests and experience with GCP, you receive a personalized guide focusing on the aspects you want to master. This focused approach helps you cut through vast general content to concentrate on what truly matters for your learning journey. It’s designed to make your path through GCP’s complex features clearer and more efficient.
2025·50-300 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Computing, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Security, Network Design

This personalized book explores Google Cloud Platform (GCP) in a way tailored specifically to your experience, interests, and goals. It covers foundational concepts such as cloud services and architecture, then delves into advanced topics like security, networking, and data engineering that align with your background. By focusing on what matters most to you, it reveals how to navigate GCP’s complex ecosystem effectively. This tailored approach helps you gain practical knowledge and deep understanding without wading through irrelevant material, making your learning journey efficient and engaging. Whether you aim to master infrastructure automation or design scalable cloud solutions, this book matches your unique needs to empower confident mastery.

Tailored Guide
GCP Expertise
1,000+ Happy Readers
Ankush Chowdhary has over twenty years in technology and cybersecurity, contributing to digital transformation efforts worldwide. Prashant Kulkarni, a Cloud Security Architect at Google Cloud, brings frontline experience managing complex security challenges for clients. Their combined expertise shapes this guide, reflecting deep knowledge of Google Cloud security practices and emerging trends. Their passion for education and hands-on experience makes this book a valuable resource for anyone serious about mastering cloud security on Google Cloud Platform.

Ankush Chowdhary and Prashant Kulkarni bring a wealth of expertise in cybersecurity and cloud architecture to this focused guide for Google Cloud security professionals. You’ll learn how to design, develop, and operate secure infrastructure on Google Cloud, exploring identity and access management, network and data security, and advanced features like BeyondCorp Zero Trust and the Security Command Center. The book offers clear explanations paired with practical examples and self-assessment questions, making it ideal if you want to deepen your understanding beyond basics and prepare effectively for the Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification. If you’re aiming to master Google Cloud security operations or advance your IT career in cloud security, this book provides a solid, detailed foundation.

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Konrad Cłapa is a Certified Google Trainer and Lead Cloud Architect at Atos R&D, boasting over 12 years of IT experience and holding more than 40 IT certifications, including all active Google Cloud Platform certifications—the first person worldwide to do so. His deep expertise motivated him to create this guide, which distills his knowledge into a resource that helps you build a strong foundation in GCP and navigate the path to becoming a Professional Cloud Architect.
2021·664 pages·Cloud Computing, Google Cloud Platform, Google, Cloud Architecture, Security

The authoritative expertise behind this guide comes from Konrad Cłapa, a Certified Google Trainer and Lead Cloud Architect with over 12 years in IT and a record 40+ certifications. This book walks you through Google Cloud Platform’s core services, from computing and storage to cutting-edge tools like Cloud Run and Anthos, matching the official Professional Cloud Architect exam syllabus. You’ll gain hands-on understanding of designing scalable, secure cloud architectures and navigating exam scenarios with mock tests. If you’re an IT pro aiming to master GCP and pass its top certification, this book lays out the knowledge and skills you need without fluff or guesswork.

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Iman Ghanizada is a globally recognized tech visionary focused on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. An acclaimed author and dynamic speaker, he captivates international audiences with his futurism and insights. Ghanizada pioneered Google's Autonomic Security Operations framework, catapulting Google's security business. He is an investor and advisor to both startups and venture capital firms. Honored by Forbes 30 Under 30 and as a Leader CIO at the World CIO Summit, his influence transcends technology. His commitment to social causes is evident as a board member of Afghan Refugee Relief and an advisory board member at Virginia Tech. This background uniquely positions him to guide you through the complexities of the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam.

Iman Ghanizada brings his deep expertise as a Security Solutions Manager at Google Cloud to this guide, which takes you through the full spectrum of topics essential for the Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect exam. You’ll learn how to design and manage secure, scalable architectures while gaining practical insights into networking, compute, storage, and DevOps within the Google Cloud Platform. The book also doubles as a solid reference for professionals dealing with real-world cloud challenges, featuring clear explanations and practice questions that sharpen your readiness. If you’re preparing for certification or working in cloud architecture, this guide offers a focused path to mastering key concepts and applying them effectively.

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Best for rapid skill growth
This AI-created book on Google Cloud Platform is crafted based on your background and learning goals. You share which GCP topics you want to focus on and your current skill level, so the book can explore exactly what you need to build your cloud expertise. Instead of generic tutorials, this tailored book guides you through an effective, personalized learning journey to help you grow your GCP skills efficiently and confidently.
2025·50-300 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Computing, Compute Services, Storage Solutions, Networking Fundamentals

This personalized AI-created book explores a tailored, accelerated learning path for Google Cloud Platform beginners and intermediates. It covers foundational concepts and progressively examines practical tools, services, and architectures that match your unique background and goals. By focusing on your specific interests and skill level, it synthesizes expert knowledge into a custom roadmap that guides you through complex topics without overwhelming detail. The book reveals efficient techniques for mastering GCP essentials—from compute and storage to security and networking—delivering a step-by-step plan designed to rapidly grow your cloud capabilities. This tailored approach ensures you gain relevant insights and experience that align directly with your ambitions in the Google Cloud ecosystem.

Tailored Guide
Accelerated Learning
3,000+ Books Created
Best for data engineering practitioners
Adi Wijaya thrives in Indonesia's dynamic tech scene, combining his passions for data, technology, and analytics into a career as a Data Strategic Cloud Engineer at Google. His experience co-founding DataLabs Indonesia and working closely with Big Data initiatives fuels this book, which guides you through building scalable and governed data platforms on Google Cloud. His mission to empower organizations and data practitioners shines through, making this a practical resource for anyone serious about advancing in data engineering on Google Cloud.
2024·476 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Google, Data Engineering, Cloud Computing, Data Governance

Adi Wijaya challenges the conventional wisdom that data engineering is just about pipelines by emphasizing a broader ecosystem approach within Google Cloud. You learn not only how to build scalable data platforms but also how to integrate data governance, orchestrate workflows with Cloud Composer, and leverage advanced tools like Dataform and Dataplex. The book is detailed enough for experienced practitioners seeking to update their skills yet accessible for newcomers aiming to build a strong foundation in Google Cloud data engineering. For example, chapters on setting up ephemeral Hadoop clusters and streaming data with Pub/Sub offer concrete technical insights that go beyond basics.

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Best for visual learners and architects
Priyanka Vergadia combines her extensive decade-long experience in cloud computing with her artistic talent to deliver a uniquely visual exploration of Google Cloud Platform. As a Developer Advocate at Google Cloud, she understands the challenges cloud architects face and offers this illustrated guide to simplify complex concepts. Her background in computer science and hands-on work with cloud solutions make this book a practical resource for those aiming to deepen their understanding and effectively implement GCP services.
2022·256 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Google, Cloud Computing, Cloud Architecture, Machine Learning

Priyanka Vergadia's decade of experience in cloud technology shines through in this visually rich guide designed for cloud professionals. The book breaks down complex Google Cloud Platform services into roughly 100 illustrated references, helping you navigate compute, storage, databases, AI, containers, networking, and security with clear flowcharts and decision diagrams. It's especially useful if you want to match specific GCP services to your unique projects or prepare for certification, as chapters detail the distinctions between infrastructure, containers, serverless, and machine learning options. While it demands some familiarity with cloud concepts, this book offers a straightforward path to mastering Google Cloud's ecosystem for architects and engineers alike.

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Best for infrastructure automation pros
Bernd Nordhausen is a seasoned cloud architect with over 25 years of experience at Intel and Accenture, where he led Google Cloud practice deployments using Terraform. His deep expertise as a Google Cloud authorized trainer and multi-cloud certified professional informs this guide designed to help you automate infrastructure provisioning securely and efficiently on Google Cloud. This book distills his practical knowledge into clear examples and workflows that bridge foundational concepts to complex architecture deployments using Terraform.
2023·180 pages·Terraform, Google Cloud Platform, Google, Infrastructure Automation, Cloud Computing

Bernd Nordhausen's extensive experience as a cloud architect and Google Cloud trainer shapes this focused guide on using Terraform within Google Cloud. The book walks you through authenticating Terraform, writing efficient code, and deploying multi-tiered architectures with concrete Google Cloud examples. You gain a practical understanding of managing multiple environments and leveraging public modules to speed up deployment while maintaining security. If you already know your way around Google Cloud but want to automate infrastructure provisioning effectively, this book gives you the essential tools and workflows specific to Terraform's application in this ecosystem.

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Conclusion

This collection of eight Google Cloud Platform books reflects a spectrum of professional needs—from hands-on developers and network engineers to cloud architects and data specialists. They share a common thread: actionable insights grounded in practical experience and certifications.

If you're navigating GCP for the first time, start with "Google Cloud Platform in Action" to build foundational skills. For rapid certification prep, pair Dario Cabianca’s network engineer guide with the "Official Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Security Engineer Exam Guide" for comprehensive coverage of security and networking domains. Meanwhile, infrastructure professionals will find "Terraform for Google Cloud Essential Guide" invaluable for automating deployments.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Google Cloud Platform book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and confidently navigate the challenges of cloud computing.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "Google Cloud Platform in Action" by JJ Geewax. Urs Holzle recommends it for its practical approach that balances hands-on exercises with technical explanations, ideal for building a solid foundation in GCP.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Google Cloud Platform?

Not at all. While some books target certification or specialized roles, "Google Cloud Platform in Action" and "Visualizing Google Cloud" offer accessible introductions for beginners ready to grow their skills.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational books like "Google Cloud Platform in Action," then move to role-specific guides such as the network engineer or security certification companions. Finish with automation and data engineering texts to deepen expertise.

Do these books assume I already have experience in Google Cloud Platform?

Some do assume familiarity, especially certification-focused titles. However, JJ Geewax’s and Priyanka Vergadia’s books provide clear explanations suitable for newcomers aiming to understand GCP’s ecosystem.

Which book gives the most actionable advice I can use right away?

"Terraform for Google Cloud Essential Guide" offers practical workflows and code examples to start automating your GCP infrastructure efficiently, perfect for practitioners seeking immediate impact.

How can I get Google Cloud Platform knowledge tailored to my specific goals and experience?

Yes, while expert books provide solid foundations, personalized books adapt those insights to your background and objectives. Consider creating a personalized Google Cloud Platform book to bridge theory with your unique needs for faster, more relevant learning.

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