Best BSD Operating System Books of 2025

This comprehensive guide to Linux is perfect for beginners who want to learn how to use and manage Linux like a pro. The book covers everything from the basics of what Linux is, to how to choose the right Linux distribution for your needs, to how to use Linux text editors, and much more. The author has also included self-evaluation tests to help readers verify their learning level. This book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn how to use Linux and master the Linux command line.

Kali Linux Hacking is a comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to learn the basics of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. The book provides an overview of the tools available in Kali Linux, the industry-standard platform for hacking, penetration and security testing. It covers different types of hacking, including session hijacking, SQL injection, phishing, and DOS attacks. The author assumes the reader has no prior knowledge of Kali Linux and hacking, making this book an excellent resource for beginners. Overall, Kali Linux Hacking is a valuable resource for anyone interested in cybersecurity and ethical hacking.

The third edition of "Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment" by W. Richard Stevens and Steve Rago is a comprehensive guide to the system programming interfaces used in the UNIX and Linux kernels. With over 70 interfaces covered, including POSIX asynchronous I/O and multithreaded programming, this book provides practical and in-depth knowledge for programmers looking to write code with exceptional power, performance, and reliability. Filled with examples, case-studies, and access to thousands of lines of downloadable code, this book is a valuable resource for any programmer working in a UNIX environment.

Absolute FreeBSD, 3rd Edition: The Complete Guide to FreeBSD by Michael W. Lucas is an updated version of his definitive guide to FreeBSD-based systems. This edition covers modern disks, the ZFS filesystem, IPv6, redesigned jail and packaging systems, and virtualization. The book is written in an approachable style and covers everything from installation and configuration to advanced security features and virtualization. The author's emphasis on best practices means that the book can be applied to other operating systems as well. For anyone looking to manage FreeBSD systems, this book is an essential resource.

Introduction to the Command Line (Third Edition) is an excellent guide for Linux, Unix, and BSD shell command learners. This visual guide provides comprehensive coverage of over 200 commands for popular Linux, BSD, and Unix systems, along with their typical usage, making it easy to learn and master the command line quickly. The new third edition features additional information related to changes in various platforms, more commands, and an introduction to Bash shell scripting and a regular expressions primer. The book's bonus content, Command Line One-Liners, is also impressive. The improved e-book formatting and new cover artwork make it an ideal resource for anyone looking to enhance their command line skills.

The Unix Power Tools, Third Edition is a comprehensive guide for both newcomers and experienced Unix users. With new coverage of Linux, Darwin, and BSD, it also includes tips and tricks for modern utilities and applications. This edition has expanded its coverage of software installation and packaging, as well as basic information on Perl and Python. The book is a browser's book, bursting with cross-references, interesting sidebars, and accumulated wisdom. It's the go-to reference for anyone looking to add to their Unix knowledge. Overall, Unix Power Tools is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to get the most out of Unix.

FreeBSD Mastery: ZFS is an essential read for those looking to master the ZFS filesystem on FreeBSD systems. This book covers everything from hardware considerations to configuring datasets and monitoring storage pools. The author also delves into advanced topics such as using compression and deduplication to enhance performance. The book is well-structured and easy to follow, making it an excellent resource for both experienced administrators and new users. Overall, FreeBSD Mastery: ZFS is a comprehensive guide that simplifies storage management and is highly recommended for anyone working with FreeBSD systems.

FreeBSD Mastery: Jails by Michael W. Lucas is a comprehensive guide that demystifies jails, FreeBSD's powerful, lightweight virtualization feature. The book is an essential read for sysadmins who want to master the art of deploying jails. The author covers everything from configuring jail hardware to managing jails from within and outside the jail. The book also offers insights on how to optimize disk space usage and implement fine-grained control of jail features. The author's writing style is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to follow. Overall, FreeBSD Mastery: Jails is an excellent resource for anyone looking to unlock the full potential of jails.

Unix in a Nutshell, Fourth Edition is a comprehensive guide to Unix commands and options, covering everything from Solaris 10 to GNU/Linux and Mac OS X. The book offers detailed descriptions and examples that put the commands in context, making it a valuable resource for Unix users and programmers. The latest edition has been updated to keep pace with the evolving state of Unix and dropped material that is no longer relevant. Overall, the book is an excellent reference for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Unix.

FreeBSD Device Drivers: A Guide for the Intrepid is a comprehensive guide to developing device drivers for FreeBSD. The book covers everything from the basics of building and running loadable kernel modules to more complex topics like thread synchronization. It also includes extensive tutorials on real-world drivers like the parallel port printer driver, as well as detailed explanations of Newbus, ISA, PCI, USB, and other buses. The book is well-organized and easy to follow, with concise descriptions and extensive annotations. Overall, this is an excellent resource for anyone looking to master FreeBSD device driver development.