8 Best-Selling CentOS Books Millions Love

Explore CentOS books endorsed by experts Christopher Negus, Peter Membrey, and Andrew Mallett, trusted guides in Linux and system administration.

Updated on June 25, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially in the technical world of CentOS. This Linux distribution remains a cornerstone for countless enterprises, thanks to its stability and cost-effectiveness. Whether you're managing servers or automating tasks, CentOS's practical value is reflected in the enduring popularity of certain books that many system administrators swear by.

Experts like Christopher Negus, whose deep Unix development background informs his comprehensive Fedora Linux Toolbox, and Peter Membrey, a Chartered IT Professional with decades of experience, have shaped authoritative guides that have helped professionals worldwide. Meanwhile, Andrew Mallett's focus on practical system administration essentials has made his book a favorite among those looking to deepen their CentOS expertise.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific CentOS needs might consider creating a personalized CentOS book that combines these validated approaches, blending expert knowledge with your unique learning goals.

Best for practical CentOS admins
Andrew Mallett is a renowned Linux expert and educator, known for his comprehensive guides and instructional videos on Linux administration. His deep understanding of Linux systems and teaching experience made this book a natural extension of his work, aimed at helping learners and professionals alike master CentOS system administration. His clear, methodical approach reflects his commitment to making complex Linux concepts accessible and practical for real-world application.
2014·174 pages·Server Administration, CentOS, Configuration Management, User Management, Filesystem

Unlike most CentOS books that focus narrowly on basic commands, Andrew Mallett draws from his extensive experience as a Linux expert to offer a broader view of system administration essentials. You’ll gain practical skills in managing user accounts with openLDAP, automating configuration through Puppet, and understanding key system components like MBR and GRUB boot loaders. Chapters on the filesystem structure and service management provide a solid foundation for handling enterprise-grade CentOS environments. If you aim to differentiate yourself with deeper knowledge beyond entry-level Linux tasks, this book offers a clear path forward without overwhelming jargon.

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Best for enterprise CentOS professionals
Peter Membrey, a Chartered Fellow of the British Computer Society and Distinguished Contributor awardee from the IEEE Computer Society, brings nearly 25 years of IT expertise to this focused guide on CentOS. His background in information security and engineering informs the book's practical approach, making it a valuable tool for professionals aiming to leverage CentOS in enterprise environments. With over a dozen co-authored books and extensive research contributions, Membrey’s insights help you navigate CentOS with confidence and precision.
The Definitive Guide to CentOS (Books for Professionals by Professionals) book cover

by Peter Membrey, Tim Verhoeven, Ralph Angenendt··You?

2009·374 pages·CentOS, Linux, System Administration, Enterprise Linux, Server Management

What makes this book both expert-recommended and reader-beloved is its focus on CentOS as a robust, cost-effective Linux distribution for real-world enterprise use. Authored by Peter Membrey and colleagues, seasoned professionals with deep expertise in IT and information security, it offers you hands-on tutorials and practical examples drawn from production environments. You’ll find detailed guidance on tasks typical in small to medium enterprises, from installation nuances to system administration tips, all grounded in the realities of CentOS deployment. This book suits system administrators and IT professionals who want a reliable, no-frills resource dedicated entirely to mastering CentOS without the overhead of commercial alternatives.

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Best for personal command mastery
This AI-created book on CentOS commands is tailored to your skill level and specific goals. It focuses on the command-line techniques you want to master, ensuring you learn the most relevant commands for your daily administrative tasks. By centering on your background and interests, the book offers a focused guide that helps you navigate CentOS more confidently and effectively. Customizing learning this way makes acquiring command mastery more efficient and engaging.
2025·50-300 pages·CentOS, CentOS Basics, Command Line, System Navigation, File Management

This tailored book explores essential CentOS command-line techniques designed to enhance your daily system management skills. It covers foundational commands and advanced utilities, revealing how to navigate, configure, and troubleshoot CentOS with confidence. The personalized content matches your background and interests, focusing on the commands and tools most relevant to your goals. By combining widely validated knowledge with your specific needs, the book offers a unique learning experience that deepens your understanding and streamlines your command-line workflow. Whether new to CentOS or seeking to refine your expertise, this book provides a focused path to command mastery that aligns precisely with your objectives.

Tailored Content
Command Mastery
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for cluster management specialists
Mitja Resman is a system engineer with extensive experience in high availability solutions. As the author of several books on Linux clustering and system administration, he leverages his deep expertise to guide you through setting up and managing multi-node high availability clusters on CentOS. His background equips him to deliver clear instructions on installing and configuring cluster technologies like Corosync and Pacemaker, ensuring you gain practical skills for enterprise-grade system reliability.
2015·156 pages·High Availability, CentOS, Cluster Management, Resource Allocation, Failover

Mitja Resman is a system engineer with extensive experience in high availability solutions, which clearly informs this detailed exploration of clustering on CentOS Linux. You’ll learn how to install and configure cluster stacks on both CentOS 6 and 7, including managing resources, services, and failover mechanisms like fencing and STONITH. The book breaks down complex cluster management tasks into manageable steps, offering practical insight into maintaining multi-node environments with stability and performance. If you’re comfortable with CentOS basics and want to deepen your skills in building reliable, high availability systems, this guide delivers a focused and technical roadmap without unnecessary fluff.

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Best for detailed CentOS system setup
Christopher Negus, bestselling Linux author and member of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux training team, brings his extensive experience to this CentOS guide. Known for his work on Fedora and Red Hat Linux books, Negus understands what users need to navigate complex Linux systems. His collaboration with Timothy Boronczyk ensures that you get a thorough introduction to CentOS, including installation, configuration, and practical system management, tailored for both beginners and seasoned users seeking mastery.
CentOS Bible book cover

by Christopher Negus, Timothy Boronczyk··You?

2009·984 pages·CentOS, Linux, System Administration, Command Line, Desktop Environments

When Christopher Negus first realized the growing importance of CentOS as a reliable Linux distribution, he teamed up with Timothy Boronczyk to create this extensive guide. You’ll gain practical skills for installing and configuring CentOS, managing both GNOME and KDE desktop environments, and mastering command-line tools like the shell and text editors. The book also dives into configuring printers with CUPS, sharing files via Samba, and automating system tasks, making it useful whether you’re new to Linux or looking to deepen your expertise. If you want a thorough understanding of CentOS’s ecosystem that balances GUI and command-line approaches, this book fits the bill, though it’s best suited for readers ready to invest time in a detailed manual.

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Best for cost-effective enterprise Linux
Chivas Sicam brings his IT instruction and system administration background to this thorough exploration of CentOS Linux. Drawing on his work with government and educational institutions advocating open source software, Sicam delivers a resource grounded in real-world experience. His involvement with the Bayanihan Linux project adds depth to the book's practical guidance, making it a solid choice for professionals seeking to harness CentOS in enterprise settings.
Foundations of CentOS Linux: Enterprise Linux On the Cheap (Books for Professionals by Professionals) book cover

by Chivas Sicam, Ryan Baclit, Peter Membrey, John Newbigin··You?

2009·554 pages·Linux, CentOS, System Administration, Network Management, Security

Drawing from his extensive experience as an IT instructor and system administrator, Chivas Sicam co-authors this guide to help you master CentOS Linux within the Red Hat ecosystem without the cost of expensive licenses. You'll explore setting up secure, high-performance web services and gain preparation for the Red Hat Certified Engineer exam, all through practical, hands-on chapters that treat CentOS and Fedora as viable alternatives to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. The book suits system administrators and IT professionals aiming to maintain networks cost-effectively while building skills recognized in enterprise environments. If you're looking for a deep dive into CentOS's capabilities alongside Fedora and RHEL parallels, this book delivers without unnecessary jargon or assumptions.

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Best for daily setup plans
This AI-created book on CentOS setup is tailored to your experience level and specific goals. You share your background and what aspects of CentOS setup you want to focus on, and the book is crafted to guide you through daily tasks that build your server step-by-step. Personalizing the content this way helps you avoid generic advice and concentrate on what truly matters for your CentOS environment.
2025·50-300 pages·CentOS, CentOS Basics, Server Installation, System Configuration, Package Management

This tailored CentOS guide explores step-by-step installation and configuration processes, focusing on your unique background and goals. It reveals essential techniques to set up your server efficiently, covering everything from initial installation to fine-tuning system settings. The book blends widely appreciated knowledge with your specific interests, providing a personalized journey through CentOS server preparation. By focusing on your particular needs, it ensures you gain practical skills and confidence in managing CentOS environments, addressing the challenges and objectives you’ve identified. This personalized approach helps you build a robust CentOS foundation while keeping the learning experience engaging and relevant.

Tailored Guide
Server Configuration
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for hands-on CentOS 7 admins
Oliver Pelz brings over a decade of experience as a software developer and system administrator, currently working at the German Cancer Research Center. His deep involvement with high-performance CentOS clusters and bioinformatics lends this book a unique practical edge. Pelz wrote this after managing complex Linux-based infrastructures, aiming to share hands-on knowledge with professionals like you who want to efficiently administer CentOS 7 servers. His background ensures the book covers real challenges faced in enterprise environments, making it a valuable guide for system admins and Linux users.
Centos 7 Linux Server Cookbook book cover

by Oliver Pelz, Jonathan Hobson··You?

2016·326 pages·CentOS, Linux, System Administration, Server Configuration, Security

When Oliver Pelz first realized the intricacies involved in managing CentOS 7 servers, he crafted this book to bridge the gap between theory and hands-on practice. You’ll learn concrete skills like installing and configuring CentOS 7, managing services and software packages, and securing your server with SELinux. Chapters also guide you through advanced setups such as building DNS servers, deploying Docker containers, and monitoring infrastructure with Nagios. This book benefits system administrators and Linux enthusiasts who want a grounded, practical approach to mastering CentOS 7 without getting lost in overly technical jargon.

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Best for intermediate CentOS server managers
Mohamed Alibi is a DevOps Engineer at the European Bioinformatics Institute, specializing in virtual machine provisioning and infrastructure administration for bioinformatics training facilities. Holding an MSc in Networking and Computer Sciences, he brings practical experience in managing distributed systems. This expertise underpins the book’s focus on sustainable CentOS 7 server administration, making it a precise guide for those aiming to master the latest CentOS tools and services.
Mastering Centos 7 Linux Server book cover

by Mohamed Alibi, Bhaskarjyoti Roy··You?

2016·298 pages·CentOS, Server Management, Security, Virtualization, Cloud Computing

Mohamed Alibi and Bhaskarjyoti Roy approach CentOS 7 not just as another Linux distribution but as a platform demanding sustainable server management. Their book methodically guides you through setting up a fully functional CentOS 7 server, covering everything from user and group management to firewall security and virtualization. You’ll gain hands-on familiarity with configuring essential services, monitoring system health, and exploring cloud computing on single-node systems. Ideal for those with an intermediate Linux administration background, it equips you to confidently navigate the latest shifts from CentOS 6 to 7 without getting overwhelmed by fragmented tools.

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Best for command-line power users
Christopher Negus brings a wealth of practical knowledge to this book, drawing on his years working on Unix development teams at AT&T and his authorship of several bestselling Linux guides. His deep involvement with Linux communities and projects uniquely qualifies him to compile this extensive command reference. This book reflects his commitment to helping users harness the full power of Fedora, CentOS, and Red Hat Linux through hands-on command-line mastery.
2007·307 pages·CentOS, Linux, Command Line, System Administration, Network Configuration

Christopher Negus's decades of experience with Unix and Linux development shape this extensive command reference, aimed at empowering you to master Fedora, CentOS, and Red Hat through practical command-line work. The book walks you through over 1,000 commands, covering software management, system monitoring, and network access with clear examples, such as how to monitor system health or configure network resources efficiently. If you manage Linux desktops or servers, this guide offers the precise tools and explanations you need to deepen your command-line proficiency without fluff. However, it’s most suited for users ready to engage directly with Linux terminals rather than casual readers.

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Conclusion

These eight CentOS books collectively emphasize practical, proven frameworks that have stood the test of time in enterprise and system administration environments. They offer a range of perspectives—from fundamental system setup to advanced cluster management—giving you validated approaches to build or refine your skill set.

If you prefer proven methods, start with "Centos System Administration Essentials" for a practical foundation. For validated approaches in high availability, pair "CentOS High Availability" with "Mastering Centos 7 Linux Server". And if you want a deep dive into command-line techniques, "Fedora Linux Toolbox" provides extensive, battle-tested commands.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized CentOS book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in mastering CentOS with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Starting with "Centos System Administration Essentials" is a great choice. It offers practical guidance for managing CentOS systems without overwhelming jargon, making it ideal for building a solid foundation.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to CentOS?

Not at all. Books like "CentOS Bible" and "Foundations of CentOS Linux" provide thorough introductions suitable for beginners while still offering depth for growth.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational texts such as "CentOS Bible" or "Foundations of CentOS Linux," then progress to specialized ones like "CentOS High Availability" or "Mastering Centos 7 Linux Server" as you gain confidence.

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

You can pick based on your focus area. For example, if clustering interests you, "CentOS High Availability" suffices. For broader admin skills, combining a couple like "CentOS Bible" and "Centos System Administration Essentials" works well.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast CentOS changes?

While some books cover earlier versions, their core principles remain valuable. For example, "Fedora Linux Toolbox" covers commands relevant across Fedora, CentOS, and Red Hat, ensuring lasting utility.

Can personalized CentOS books complement these expert guides?

Yes! While these expert books cover proven methods, a personalized CentOS book blends those approaches with your unique needs and goals. Check out creating your custom CentOS book for tailored learning.

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