8 Best-Selling Bots Books Millions Love

Explore Bots Books by William Gurstelle, Jeff Heaton, Russel Grant, and other best-selling authors delivering proven, popular approaches

Updated on June 28, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love—especially in a dynamic field like bots. Today, bots power everything from online gaming to customer support, and millions turn to expert-written books to master this evolving technology. Whether you're building warrior robots or crafting conversational AI, understanding proven methods is key to success.

These 8 best-selling Bots books are authored by practitioners and technologists with deep experience, including William Gurstelle's hands-on combat robot guidance and Jeff Heaton's comprehensive Java bot programming. Their work has shaped how enthusiasts and professionals alike approach bot creation, blending technical precision with practical insights.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Bots needs might consider creating a personalized Bots book that combines these validated approaches into a unique learning experience just for you.

Best for combat robot builders
William Gurstelle is a professional engineer and prolific author known for his extensive work on mechanical devices and DIY projects. His deep experience with model catapults and ballistics informs this detailed guide to building warrior robots, blending technical know-how with practical advice for enthusiasts. Gurstelle’s contributions to Make magazine and Wired reflect his commitment to hands-on engineering, which shines through in this step-by-step manual designed to support your journey from design to competition.
2002·256 pages·Bots, Robotics, Engineering, Design, Radio Control

William Gurstelle, a professional engineer with over three decades of experience in building model catapults and ballistic devices, brings his hands-on expertise into the world of warrior robots. In this book, you dive into detailed guidance on designing and constructing combat robots seen in BattleBots and Robot Wars, covering everything from selecting materials and motors to mastering radio controls and weaponry like spinners and lifters. The book balances technical depth with accessibility, including beginner-friendly sections on machine shop basics and robot physics, making it suitable for enthusiasts ready to build their dream bot and compete. If you're looking for a practical, illustrated manual that connects engineering fundamentals with robot combat strategy, this book delivers without fluff.

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Best for Java bot programmers
Jeff Heaton, Ph.D., a seasoned author and computer science expert, combines his academic and practical knowledge to deliver this extensive resource on Java HTTP programming for bots. His background as a senior IEEE contributor and educator informs the clear, methodical approach in this book, which equips you to master bot creation and web interaction using Java with precision and ethical awareness.
2007·673 pages·Bots, HTTP, Java Programming, Web Crawling, Data Extraction

Jeff Heaton, Ph.D., brings his extensive academic and industry experience to this detailed guide on Java-based HTTP programming for bots. You’ll explore concrete recipes that teach how to program bots to interact with web servers using HTTP methods like GET and POST, handle authentication, and parse complex HTML elements such as tables and lists. Beyond basics, the book dives into handling AJAX and JavaScript challenges, and it introduces the Heaton Research Spider framework for building web crawlers. If you want hands-on skills for building sophisticated Java bots that navigate and extract data ethically from the web, this book is tailored for you.

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Best for personal bot strategies
This custom AI book on bot mastery is created based on your background, skill level, and specific interests in bot creation and deployment. By sharing your goals and preferred sub-topics, you receive a book that focuses precisely on the advanced techniques and strategies you want to explore. This tailored approach ensures you get a learning experience suited to your unique needs, helping you build and deploy bots with confidence and depth.
2025·50-300 pages·Bots, Bot Fundamentals, Bot Architecture, Automation Techniques, Conversational Bots

This tailored book on advanced bot creation delves into sophisticated techniques that build upon popular, proven concepts to deepen your understanding and skills. It explores the nuances of bot design, deployment, and optimization, focusing on your interests and background to deliver content that matches your specific goals. By blending widely validated knowledge with a personalized approach, this book reveals how to harness powerful methods for building diverse bots, from conversation agents to autonomous systems. Readers benefit from a focused journey that examines both foundational principles and advanced applications, ensuring an engaging, customized learning experience that supports your mastery of bot technology.

Tailored Guide
Advanced Botcraft
3,000+ Books Created
Best for AI productivity users
Russel Grant is a best-selling author and innovative entrepreneur passionate about business, artificial intelligence, and marketing. Having transformed his own ventures through AI, he wrote this book to empower others with practical strategies for harnessing ChatGPT and prompt engineering. His experience and forward-thinking approach provide readers with clear guidance to navigate AI’s growing influence in business and personal productivity.
2023·188 pages·Productivity, Chat Bots, ChatGPT, Bots, Marketing

Russel Grant’s experience as a best-selling author and entrepreneur shapes this accessible guide to ChatGPT and prompt engineering. You’ll learn over 50 ways to enhance productivity and creativity using AI, including crafting effective prompts tailored to your needs and understanding the app’s evolving capabilities. The book explains ChatGPT’s impact on business and careers, addressing common fears about AI replacing jobs while highlighting how to leverage it for growth. Whether you’re a professional navigating AI integration or a curious beginner, this book offers concrete insights to adapt and thrive in a world increasingly influenced by bots and automation.

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Best for game bot developers
Nick Cano wrote his first scripts for open source game servers when he was 12 and has been a part of the game-hacking community ever since. With years of experience in malware detection and defense, he advises developers on protecting games against bots and has presented his research at numerous conferences. His deep expertise informs this book, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding or creating autonomous bots for online games.
2016·304 pages·Bots, Software Development, Memory Manipulation, Reverse Engineering, Assembly Code

When Nick Cano first realized how much untapped potential game hacking held, he set out to demystify the process for developers and enthusiasts alike. You learn precise techniques including reverse engineering, assembly code analysis, and memory manipulation, gaining practical experience with tools like Cheat Engine and OllyDbg. The book guides you through crafting various bots—from wallhacks to AI-driven looters—while also explaining how this knowledge can help defend your own games against cheating. If you’re curious about the mechanics behind game mods or want to sharpen your Windows-based programming skills, this book offers detailed insight without unnecessary jargon.

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Best for Microsoft chatbot beginners
Michael Washington is a Microsoft MVP and accomplished programmer specializing in ASP.NET, C#, and Visual Basic. His extensive background in process improvement and billing systems informs this practical guide to building chatbots using the Microsoft Bot Framework. Drawing from his deep expertise and multiple programming books, Washington provides clear instruction on creating bots for Facebook, Skype, and other popular platforms, making this a valuable resource for developers eager to expand their skills in chatbot technology.
2016·266 pages·Bots, Chat Bots, Microsoft Bot Framework, Visual Studio, C# Programming

Michael Washington's deep experience as a Microsoft MVP and seasoned programmer shines through in this hands-on guide to the Microsoft Bot Framework. You’ll learn to build chatbots that work seamlessly on platforms like Facebook, Skype, and Office 365, using Visual Studio and C#. The book breaks down key concepts with practical examples, such as implementing dialogs, integrating SQL Server databases, and leveraging Language Understanding Intelligent Service (LUIS) for smarter interactions. If you're a developer looking to master chatbot creation with Microsoft tools, this book provides clear pathways from basic bots to advanced features without unnecessary complexity.

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Best for rapid bot development
This AI-created book on bot development is crafted based on your current skills, interests, and specific goals in building bots. By sharing what you want to focus on and your experience level, you receive a book tailored explicitly to help you accelerate your bot-building capabilities. This personalized approach means the content matches your pace and priorities, making it easier to master each step without wading through unrelated material.
2025·50-300 pages·Bots, Bot Development, Programming Basics, Automation Techniques, API Integration

This tailored book provides a focused journey into accelerating your bot development skills through personalized, step-by-step actions. It explores essential aspects of bot creation, from fundamental principles to practical challenges, matching your background and technology interests. The content examines how to build effective, responsive bots by combining widely validated techniques with your specific goals and preferences. This personalized approach helps you tackle real-world bot development tasks efficiently, emphasizing rapid progress and hands-on learning. By tailoring the material to your needs, the book ensures a well-paced exploration of bot design, programming, testing, and deployment, making complex concepts accessible and actionable for your unique path.

Tailored Guide
Rapid Development
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for conversational UX designers
Amir Shevat is the VP of developer experience at Twitch with 15 years building developer products and API ecosystems at Slack, Microsoft, and Google. His deep expertise led him to write this guide on designing bots that create meaningful conversational experiences, drawing directly from his work shaping some of the most widely used developer platforms. This background makes the book a practical resource for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of conversational app design and build bots that resonate with users.
2017·345 pages·Bots, Chat Bots, Software Development, Conversational Design, Bot Personality

Amir Shevat's extensive experience shaping developer ecosystems at Twitch, Slack, Microsoft, and Google informs this hands-on guide to conversational app design. You’ll find concrete strategies for crafting bot personalities, mapping user flows, and balancing interaction controls that enhance productivity across consumer and enterprise settings. For example, the book dedicates chapters to building Facebook Messenger consumer bots and Slack business bots, illustrating key design patterns and pitfalls through real-world examples. If you're involved in product management, design, or entrepreneurship within the conversational AI space, this book offers a clear framework to develop bots that feel intuitive and engaging without overpromising capabilities.

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Best for advanced Microsoft bot developers
Programming the Microsoft Bot Framework offers a detailed, hands-on exploration of building conversational user interfaces using Microsoft's suite of tools. It guides you through everything from foundational concepts to deploying bots on major platforms like Slack and Skype, reflecting the growing importance of bots in human-computer interaction. This book appeals to developers looking to harness AI and natural language processing in real-world applications, providing a clear framework and sample code that helps translate complex technology into practical solutions.
2017·400 pages·Bots, Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing, Conversational Interfaces

The methods Joe Mayo developed while working extensively with Microsoft's ecosystem shine clearly in this guide to the Microsoft Bot Framework. You gain concrete skills in building conversational user interfaces (CUIs) that harness AI and natural language processing, especially with Microsoft's LUIS service. Mayo walks you through creating message dialogs and managing conversations, then deploying your bots across popular platforms like Slack and Facebook Messenger. This book suits developers eager to deepen their practical knowledge of bot-building in a Microsoft-centered environment, though those seeking a broader or platform-agnostic perspective might look elsewhere.

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Best for multi-platform chatbot builders
This book delivers a hands-on approach to chatbot and conversational UI creation, covering major platforms like Chatfuel, Dialogflow, and Alexa Skills. It guides you through building over eight chatbots and voice interfaces, emphasizing practical deployment on channels such as Facebook Messenger and Google Home. The project-based structure introduces you to designing conversation flows and integrating third-party APIs, making it a solid resource for developers aiming to deepen their expertise in bots and voice UI technologies. Its focus on multiple toolkits reflects the evolving chatbot ecosystem and meets the needs of those ready to build real-world conversational applications.
2017·392 pages·Bots, User Interfaces, Chatbot Development, Voice User Interfaces, API Integration

What happens when deep technical expertise meets practical chatbot development? Srini Janarthanam, drawing from extensive experience with leading conversational AI platforms, offers a project-driven guide that walks you through building chatbots and voice user interfaces across diverse tools like Chatfuel, Dialogflow, and Microsoft Bot Framework. You’ll learn how to design conversation flows, implement task models for real-world applications such as ordering and event planning, and deploy your creations on popular channels including Facebook Messenger and Amazon Alexa. This book suits developers comfortable with JavaScript who want direct exposure to multiple chatbot ecosystems and voice UI integration, providing hands-on skills rather than abstract theory.

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Conclusion

This collection highlights three clear themes: practical frameworks for bot building, expert-validated strategies, and coverage of diverse bot types—from combat robots to conversational AI. If you prefer proven methods, start with William Gurstelle's "Building Bots" or Jeff Heaton's Java-focused guide. For validated conversational approaches, combine Amir Shevat's design principles with Srini Janarthanam's multi-platform development insights.

For those wanting a streamlined path tailored to specific goals or experience levels, you can create a personalized Bots book to blend these proven methods with your unique needs.

These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in the exciting world of bots, offering both foundational knowledge and practical skills to build your own bot projects confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Start with "Building Bots" if you're interested in physical robots or "Prompt Engineering and ChatGPT" for AI-driven bots. Both provide clear, accessible entry points tailored to different bot types.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Bots?

Not at all. Books like "An Introduction to the Microsoft Bot Framework" and "Designing Bots" provide beginner-friendly guidance while still offering depth as you grow.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational texts like "Building Bots" or "HTTP Programming Recipes for Java Bots" to grasp core concepts, then explore conversational AI and platform-specific guides.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick the book that fits your focus area best—combat robots, Java bots, or chatbots. Each stands alone but complements the others in a broader bot skillset.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"Designing Bots" leans toward theory with UX and conversational design principles, while "Game Hacking" and "Hands-On Chatbots and Conversational UI Development" emphasize hands-on techniques.

How can I get bot learning content tailored to my specific needs?

Expert books offer solid foundations, but personalized content can address your unique goals and experience. You can create a personalized Bots book combining popular methods with your specific interests for focused learning.

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