7 Microsoft Azure Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

Iain Foulds brings his extensive engineering background at Microsoft to this practical guide that demystifies Azure for developers ready to go beyond theory. You’ll navigate 21 focused lessons that cover essentials like virtual machines, Azure Storage, security with Key Vault, and container orchestration with Kubernetes, each paired with hands-on labs to sharpen your skills. This book targets those familiar with basic web or client/server apps but eager to confidently deploy and manage cloud solutions without getting lost in Azure’s vast ecosystem. If you're aiming to build real-world applications while understanding core Azure services and security, this book gives you a clear, manageable path forward.

Drawing from his extensive experience as an end-user computing specialist, Ryan Mangan developed this guide to demystify Azure Virtual Desktop for IT professionals. You’ll explore detailed instructions for designing, implementing, and managing virtual desktop environments, including setting up session host images, configuring security, and optimizing user profiles with FSLogix technology. The book also doubles as a thorough preparation resource for the AZ-140 certification, covering networking, storage, and business continuity strategies. If you manage or architect virtual desktop infrastructures, this book offers a deep dive into practical techniques and Microsoft best practices that can refine your approach without unnecessary jargon.

This tailored book explores Microsoft Azure cloud services by focusing on your unique background, skill level, and goals. It covers core Azure concepts, service models, and hands-on applications, crafting a personalized journey that matches your interests and accelerates your understanding. By synthesizing extensive Azure knowledge, it provides a pathway that highlights essential components such as compute, storage, networking, and security, all aligned to your learning objectives. The book examines real-world scenarios and common challenges within Azure environments, offering insights specifically tailored to your needs. This approach ensures you engage deeply with relevant content, fostering mastery that resonates with your professional aspirations and technical foundation.

Mustafa Toroman draws from his extensive experience as a solution architect focused on cloud-native applications and migrations to provide a detailed guide to Azure cloud administration. You’ll explore essentials like Azure networking, virtual machines, app services, and databases, moving beyond basics to manage security and hybrid cloud scenarios. For instance, the book dives into designing VM solutions tailored to specific workloads and managing SQL databases both on Azure and on virtual machines. If you’re a system administrator, cloud engineer, or DevOps professional aiming to deepen your hands-on skills in Azure’s infrastructure and platform services, this book will serve your practical needs well.

Mustafa Toroman, an accomplished program architect and Microsoft Azure MVP, draws on his extensive cloud and DevOps experience to dissect Azure's security landscape. This book guides you through Azure's layered defenses—from managing cloud identities to deploying Azure Sentinel for threat detection—and delves into practical setups like Azure Key Vault and secure application gateways. It's designed for those familiar with Azure who want to deepen their security expertise, especially professionals tasked with protecting cloud workloads against evolving cyber threats. You’ll find detailed chapters on governance, network security, and auditing that equip you to architect resilient, compliant cloud environments.

Ritesh Modi, a seasoned cloud architect with deep expertise in Microsoft Azure, teams up with Jack Lee and Rithin Skaria to offer a thorough guide to designing secure and scalable applications on Azure. This book walks you through core Azure components, cloud design patterns, and enterprise-grade security practices, while also covering advanced topics like serverless architecture, Kubernetes deployments, and big data processing with Spark and Databricks. You’ll gain hands-on insights into Azure DevOps pipelines and intelligent services such as Azure Cognitive Services, equipping you to build robust cloud solutions. It’s particularly suited for cloud architects, DevOps engineers, or developers who want to master architectural principles on Azure with practical examples and design strategies.

This tailored book explores Microsoft Azure through a personalized learning journey designed to match your background and goals. It focuses on providing a rapid, 30-day pathway that covers essential Azure concepts, services, and practical applications, ensuring you engage deeply with the platform without overwhelming detours. By tailoring content to your specific interests, it reveals how to navigate core Azure components such as cloud deployment, security, and virtual infrastructure efficiently. The book examines how your unique learning preferences can shape a focused mastery experience, helping you build confidence and expertise in Microsoft Azure with clear, actionable steps.

Jack Hyman, Ph.D., brings a deep well of expertise as a certified cloud professional and seasoned educator to this guide, designed specifically for mastering the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of core Azure services, security protocols, and compliance frameworks, reinforced by practical exercises and realistic practice questions that reflect the exam’s demands. Chapters detail key concepts like risk management and trust in cloud systems, making it not only a test prep resource but also a handy on-the-job reference. If you’re preparing for AZ-900 or seeking a structured introduction to Azure’s foundational elements, this book aligns well with your goals.

James Boyce, a seasoned Microsoft insider, leverages his extensive cloud computing experience to demystify the fundamentals of Microsoft Azure. This study guide prepares you for the AZ-900 certification exam by breaking down core concepts like cloud types, Azure service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and security compliance, making complex topics approachable for both technical and non-technical audiences. You’ll find practical insights into Azure pricing tiers and lifecycle management, plus access to interactive online tools including practice exams and flashcards. Whether you're aiming for certification or just want a solid foundation in Azure, this book offers a clear, structured path to understanding Microsoft’s cloud platform.