10 Must Have O'Reilly Linux and Unix Books
Updated Jun 2026 · Tested on Linux, Unix
Published several years ago these O’Reilly books are still useful & relevant for the current and new system administrators. Although these books may not cover latest version of operating systems yet these explains very well the underlying technical details and process which have not changed over the years. Most of these books are available as kindle Edition, to instantly get these books & read on any device you can join Amazon Kindle Unlimited 30-Day Free Trial & download Kindle Cloud Reader to instantly buy and Read Kindle books in your browser, .
To get any of these books, click the cover or the View on Amazon link under each one.
1. Essential System Administration
by Æleen Frisch
A classic system administration book, last released in 2002 but still relevant. Targeted at beginners with a hands-on approach — covers AIX, FreeBSD, HP-UX, Solaris, and Tru64 alongside Linux, plus DHCP, USB, automation, SNMP, network management, LDAP, and PAM.
2. Learning the UNIX Operating System, Fifth Edition
by Jerry Peek, Grace Todino-Gonguet, John Strang
A great introduction for Unix beginners. Published by O’Reilly, this fifth edition is aimed at people new to Unix who want a general overview.
3. Linux in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference
by Ellen Siever and Stephen Figgins
A 1000-page Linux reference that should always be within reach. Aimed at new and intermediate users who need a quick reference for Linux commands and scripting.
4. Classic Shell Scripting
by Arnold Robbins and Nelson H.F. Beebe
A must-have shell scripting book filled with examples. Aimed at new users learning or improving their shell scripting — last published in 2008 but still relevant.
5. Sed & Awk
by Dale Dougherty
A must-have reference for building skill in sed and awk with real-world examples. Recommended for Unix shell programmers and system administrators working with scripting and data processing.
6. Learning the vi and Vim Editors
by Arnold Robbins
A must-have for learning and mastering vi and its leading clone, Vim. Aimed at beginners and intermediates who want to get the most out of vi/vim and take text processing further.
7. bash Cookbook: Solutions and Examples for bash Users
by Carl Albing
A must-have bash cookbook written in a scenario-and-solution style with detailed explanations. Recommended for users starting bash scripting or enhancing their bash skills.
8. Bash Pocket Reference: Help for Power Users and Sys Admins
by Arnold Robbins
A handy pocket reference with clear, organized presentation. Aimed at bash users who need a quick reference for commands — saves time otherwise lost searching for examples and syntax.
9. TCP/IP Network Administration (3rd Edition)
by Craig Hunt
A must-have TCP/IP network administration book for network and system administrators. Recommended for new network admins setting up and administering a network — covers system configuration, routing, and common network applications.
10. DNS and BIND
by Cricket Liu
Still one of the indispensable books on DNS and BIND. Recommended for new and intermediate network and DNS administrators — clear configuration examples with helpful hints to keep you out of trouble.