7 Best-Selling Google Cloud Platform Books Millions Trust

Recommended by Urs Holzle, Google SVP Technical Infrastructure, and other cloud experts for practical, proven Google Cloud Platform insights.

Updated on June 27, 2025
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There's something special about books that both critics and crowds love, especially when it comes to mastering complex platforms like Google Cloud Platform (GCP). As cloud technologies reshape software development and infrastructure, having trusted resources is crucial. Google Cloud Platform has surged in popularity, powering critical applications worldwide, and these books offer readers proven frameworks and practical knowledge that have stood the test of time.

Urs Holzle, Google's Senior Vice President of Technical Infrastructure, lends rare insider perspective that adds serious weight to his recommendations. His endorsement of "Google Cloud Platform in Action" highlights the importance of understanding not just how to use GCP but how it works beneath the surface. When experts like Holzle and others converge on certain titles, it speaks volumes about their lasting value.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific Google Cloud Platform needs might consider creating a personalized Google Cloud Platform book that combines these validated approaches with custom learning paths and objectives.

Best for practical GCP application
Urs Holzle, Google's SVP of Technical Infrastructure, brings a rare insider perspective to cloud technology, making his endorsement particularly insightful. He highlights how this book "demonstrates how to use GCP in practice while also explaining how things work under the hood," bridging practical application with foundational understanding. Holzle’s recommendation aligns with the widespread appreciation for JJ Geewax’s detailed approach, which helped him appreciate the nuances of GCP beyond surface-level usage.

Recommended by Urs Holzle

SVP Technical Infrastructure, Google

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

2018·632 pages·Cloud Computing, Google Cloud Platform, Google, Application Deployment, Serverless Computing

JJ Geewax, a Google software engineer deeply involved with Google Cloud Platform and API design, offers a practical guide that demystifies deploying scalable applications on GCP. You’ll explore how to select the right cloud services for your needs, from hosting a WordPress site to leveraging AI services like computer vision and natural language processing. The book also covers critical infrastructure topics such as cloud storage options, serverless computing with Cloud Functions, and container orchestration via Kubernetes. This resource suits intermediate developers ready to build reliable, efficient cloud applications without prior GCP experience.

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Best for secure scalable infrastructure
Marc Cohen manages Google's Developer Relations Engineering team in London, guiding developers to maximize Google APIs and services. With a background designing communication systems at Bell Labs and Lucent Technologies, he brings deep expertise to this book, which walks you through managing secure, scalable cloud computing on Google Compute Engine. His hands-on approach offers clear insights into using Google’s advanced cloud infrastructure, making this a valuable resource for anyone working with Google Cloud Platform.
Google Compute Engine: Managing Secure and Scalable Cloud Computing book cover

by Marc Cohen, Kathryn Hurley, Paul Newson··You?

2014·248 pages·Cloud Computing, Google Cloud Platform, Infrastructure As A Service, Virtual Machines, Containerization

Marc Cohen, leading Google's Developer Relations Engineering in London, brings a deep background in communication systems to this guide on Compute Engine. This book teaches you how to deploy and manage scalable, secure cloud applications using Google’s IaaS platform, with hands-on examples in Python and JavaScript. You’ll explore configuring VM instances, storage options like Cloud SQL and Datastore, and integrating technologies like Docker and AngularJS. If you’re responsible for building or maintaining cloud infrastructure with Google technologies, this book offers a detailed, practical walkthrough that balances foundational concepts with applied techniques.

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Best for custom GCP mastery plans
This AI-created book on Google Cloud Platform is crafted based on your background, current expertise, and the specific challenges you face with GCP. You share which aspects of the platform interest you most and what goals you aim to reach. The book is then created to focus exactly on the GCP knowledge and skills that matter to you, cutting through general content to deliver a clear, personalized learning experience tailored for your cloud mastery journey.
2025·50-300 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Architecture, Compute Engine, Serverless Computing, DevOps Practices

This tailored book explores battle-tested methods for mastering Google Cloud Platform, focusing on your unique background and specific challenges. It covers key GCP services, best practices for deployment, and practical approaches to infrastructure management, all personalized to match your skills and goals. By concentrating on what matters most to you, this book reveals insights that align with millions of users' proven experiences while addressing your individual needs. It offers a custom pathway through cloud architecture, compute engine management, and cloud analytics, ensuring you gain relevant knowledge without wading through unnecessary material. With this personalized guide, you engage deeply with GCP concepts that drive real-world results tailored for your success.

Tailored Guide
GCP Methodology
3,000+ Books Generated
Best for cloud architecture design
This book offers a thorough walk-through of Google Cloud Platform from the perspective of architects and engineers who need to build reliable, secure, and efficient cloud solutions. It provides detailed guidance on setting up GCP accounts, managing virtual machines, and orchestrating Kubernetes clusters, all while emphasizing practical deployment and monitoring strategies. The authors’ focus on real-world application and business alignment makes this a valuable resource if your goal is to leverage GCP to meet specific organizational objectives.
2018·534 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Computing, Architecture, DevOps, Kubernetes

Vitthal Srinivasan, Janani Ravi, and Judy Raj crafted this guide to navigate the complexities of designing and managing cloud solutions on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Their combined expertise shines through practical chapters covering everything from setting up GCP accounts and managing VM instances to deploying Kubernetes clusters and leveraging Jenkins for continuous deployment. You’ll also explore NoSQL database integration and monitoring via Stackdriver, enabling you to optimize application health and performance. This book suits cloud architects and system engineers looking to deepen their hands-on skills with GCP’s tools and services, particularly those comfortable with microservices and distributed systems.

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Best for scalable app development
Ted Hunter is a seasoned software engineering consultant specializing in cloud-native solutions for Fortune 500 companies, primarily within the Google ecosystem. His background in full stack development and DevOps transformation uniquely positions him to guide developers through leveraging Google Cloud Platform effectively. This book reflects his hands-on expertise and aims to equip you with the skills to design, deploy, and manage highly scalable applications using GCP's diverse services.
2018·506 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Computing, DevOps, Application Development, Containerization

Drawing from his extensive experience as a software engineering consultant for Fortune 500 companies, Ted Hunter developed this book to demystify the complexities of Google Cloud Platform for developers. You’ll learn how to build and deploy scalable applications using key GCP services like App Engine, Container Engine, Cloud Functions, and Compute Engine, alongside data solutions such as Cloud SQL and Bigtable. The book guides you through managing source code, debugging with IDE plugins, and setting up monitoring with StackDriver, making it a solid resource for developers aiming to harness GCP's full potential. If you're building cloud-native applications or want to streamline your deployment pipelines, this book offers the foundational tools and insights you need.

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What makes "Cloud Analytics with Google Cloud Platform" unique is its thorough walkthrough of the 70+ tools within GCP that enable a full analytics pipeline—from ingestion through processing and AI integration. This book responds directly to the growing demand for cloud-based analytics solutions by guiding CIOs, CTOs, and data professionals through both technical and business design choices. It’s a practical resource for anyone ready to adopt cloud analytics, tackling the problem of data overload with clear, structured methods tailored to Google Cloud's ecosystem.
2018·282 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Analytics, Cloud Computing, Data Processing, Machine Learning

What started as an exploration into the exploding data landscape led Sanket Thodge to clarify how analytics and cloud computing intersect on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). You’ll gain a clear understanding of over 70 GCP tools for building analytics pipelines, including ingestion with Cloud Pub/Sub, processing with BigQuery, and integrating machine learning. The book doesn’t just list features—it walks you through design and business considerations critical to deploying cloud analytics solutions effectively. If you’re a CIO, CTO, or analytics professional aiming to harness cloud analytics for faster insights, this guide offers practical knowledge without assuming deep prior cloud expertise.

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Best for rapid GCP outcomes
This custom AI book on Google Cloud Platform is created based on your experience level and specific goals in cloud deployment. By sharing what you want to focus on and your personal background with GCP, the book is tailored to guide you through steps that match your needs. It helps you cut through general content to quickly learn what matters most for your projects. This personalized approach makes mastering GCP faster and more relevant to your ambitions.
2025·50-300 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Deployment, Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, Networking

This personalized book explores a step-by-step approach to achieving rapid outcomes with Google Cloud Platform (GCP), tailored to your unique background and goals. It reveals actionable paths for navigating GCP’s core services and tools, focusing on fast results without unnecessary complexity. The tailored content ensures you engage deeply with areas most relevant to your projects and skill level, making complex cloud concepts accessible and directly applicable. By focusing on your specific interests, this book examines practical actions for deploying, managing, and optimizing GCP resources efficiently. It combines broad cloud knowledge with your personal objectives, providing a clear, focused learning journey that illuminates the best ways to accelerate your GCP proficiency and impact.

Tailored Book
Rapid Deployment
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for cloud system administration
This book offers a practical approach to mastering Google Cloud Platform administration, guiding you through deploying applications and managing core resources like compute, storage, and networking. It reflects a methodology focused on building scalable, secure cloud solutions that address the high costs and complexity of traditional datacenter management. Ideal for system administrators and cloud architects, it equips you with the knowledge to optimize GCP usage, monitor operations, and control access effectively, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing evolution of cloud infrastructure management.
2018·284 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Google, Cloud Computing, Infrastructure Management, Containerization

Ranjit Singh Thakurratan's experience with cloud technologies clearly informs this guide designed to help you master the Google Cloud Platform’s core services. You’ll get hands-on with deploying apps, managing compute and storage options, and navigating networking resources within GCP’s architecture. The book breaks down complex topics like container management and identity security into manageable sections, making it well suited for system administrators and architects ready to transition workloads to the cloud. If you want a focused manual to grasp how to build highly available and scalable solutions on GCP, this book lays out the essentials without unnecessary jargon or fluff.

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Best for foundational GCP knowledge
Jerry N. P.'s "Google Cloud Platform from the very beginning" stands out as a reader-favored entry point into GCP. This independently published guide breaks down core Google Cloud services with a stepwise approach enriched by screenshots, making complex topics like cluster administration and identity management accessible. Its focus on fundamental cloud operations makes it a practical resource for anyone eager to understand and use Google Cloud's diverse offerings effectively.
2018·58 pages·Google Cloud Platform, Google, Cloud Computing, Google Cloud, Compute Services

What started as a clear need to demystify the Google Cloud Platform led Jerry N. P. to craft this accessible guide aimed at newcomers and practitioners alike. You’ll explore essential services like Compute, Networking, Storage, Big Data, and Machine Learning, along with managing access and administering clusters. The book’s step-by-step format, enhanced with screenshots, makes technical concepts approachable, especially chapters detailing Identity Access Management and Storage options. If you’re aiming to build foundational GCP skills or streamline your cloud projects, this concise volume offers clear pathways without overwhelming detail.

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Get popular cloud methods tailored to your unique Google Cloud Platform goals and challenges.

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Conclusion

Across these seven best-selling Google Cloud Platform books, a few themes emerge clearly: practical application, architectural insight, and foundational knowledge. Whether you're a developer looking to build scalable apps or an administrator managing cloud infrastructure, these titles offer proven frameworks validated by both experts and readers alike.

If you prefer proven methods, start with "Google Cloud Platform in Action" for hands-on deployment insights and "Google Compute Engine" for infrastructure mastery. For validated approaches in architecture and analytics, combine "Google Cloud Platform for Architects" with "Cloud Analytics with Google Cloud Platform" to deepen your strategic skills.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Google Cloud Platform book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many readers succeed in their cloud journeys—yours can be next.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Start with "Google Cloud Platform from the very beginning" for a solid foundation, then move to "Google Cloud Platform in Action" for practical deployment skills. This sequence builds your base before tackling advanced topics.

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

No, several books like "Google Cloud Platform from the very beginning" and "Google Cloud Platform Administration" are well-suited for newcomers, providing clear, accessible explanations without assuming prior experience.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational books, then progress to developer or architectural guides. For example, start with "Google Cloud Platform from the very beginning," then "Google Cloud Platform for Developers," and finally specialized titles like "Cloud Analytics with Google Cloud Platform."

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

You can focus on one book aligned with your goals—whether infrastructure, development, or analytics. However, combining a few offers broader insight and a more rounded understanding of GCP’s ecosystem.

Are any of these books outdated given how fast Google Cloud Platform changes?

While cloud technology evolves rapidly, these books cover foundational principles and proven practices that remain relevant. For the latest updates, complement reading with official Google Cloud documentation and communities.

Can I get a book tailored to my specific Google Cloud Platform needs?

Yes! While these expert-recommended books provide valuable guidance, you can create a personalized Google Cloud Platform book that blends proven methods with your unique goals, experience, and focus areas for faster, targeted learning.

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