This post will discuss two books that provide an in-depth understanding of Bitcoin: “The Bitcoin Standard” by Saifedean Ammous and “The Blocksize War” by Jonathan Bier.
As a bonus we will also summarize “The Little Bitcoin Book” because it’s a great entry level book to get started.
Bitcoin books are a critical source of information to understand bitcoin. While videos and courses can get you started quickly, bitcoin books can help you deepen your understanding and knowledge.
Table of Contents
Bitcoin Books 1: “The Bitcoin Standard”
- “The Bitcoin Standard” provides an analysis of the economic principles behind Bitcoin and how it compares to traditional fiat currencies and other forms of money used in the past (such as gold).
- The author, Saifedean Ammous, is an Austrian economist and a long-time member of the Bitcoin community.
- The book explains how Bitcoin’s decentralized, permissionless, and trustless nature, combined with its predefined scarcity, gives it properties similar to gold.
- Ammous argues that sound money is necessary for a stable and prosperous society and that Bitcoin’s digital properties make it a superior form of sound money compared to gold.
“The Bitcoin Standard” is a book that provides an in-depth analysis of the economic principles behind Bitcoin and how it compares to traditional fiat currencies, as well as other forms of money we used in the past (most notably – gold).
The author, Saifedean Ammous, is an Austrian economist who has been involved in the Bitcoin community for a long time, and his book is considered a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the economic implications of Bitcoin.
The book provides a clear and easy-to-understand explanation of the history of money and how bitcoin will revolutionize the world. It explains how Bitcoin’s decentralized, permissionless and trustless nature, combined with its predefined scarcity, gives it properties similar to gold, which is (was) considered as the best kind of sound money. Ammous argues that sound money is a necessary condition for a stable and prosperous society, and that Bitcoin’s digital properties make it a superior form of sound money compared to gold – it is more transportable, divisible, verifiable and durable than gold.
Anyone who sees himself as a bitcoiner has this classic in his bitcoin books shelf and will always recommend the lecture to newbies.
Bitcoin Books 2: “The Blocksize War”
“The Blocksie war”, written by Jonathan Bier and Guy Swan covers bitcoin’s blocksize war, which was waged from August 2015 to November 2017. On the surface, the battle was about the amount of data allowed in each bitcoin block, however it exposed much deeper issues, such as who controls bitcoin’s protocol rules.
- The title of the book refers to a debate that took place within the Bitcoin community from 2015 to 2017 over the maximum size of blocks on the Bitcoin blockchain.
- The debate centered around the proposal known as the New York Agreement or SegWit2x, which aimed to increase the scalability of the Bitcoin network but would have led to centralization of the network.
- One of the key factors that led to the failure of the New York Agreement was the threat of a User Activated Soft Fork (UASF).
- As a result of the debate, BitcoinCash (BCH) was created, but it has failed to gain significant acceptance in the market.
The title of the book “The Blocksize war” refers to a debate that took place within the Bitcoin community from 2015 to 2017 over the maximum size of blocks on the Bitcoin blockchain. One of the most notable and dramatic final events during the blocksize war was the New York Agreement.
The New York Agreement, also known as SegWit2x, was a proposal to first implement SegWit, and then double the block size. The proposal was supported by a number of companies and individuals in the Bitcoin industry, including BitPay, Blockchain, Circle (i.e. Coinbase), DCG and its parent companies (Genesis and Grayscale) and others.
The proposal aimed to increase the scalability of the Bitcoin network, however, it would have led to centralization of the network. Larger blocks would have made it more difficult for individuals to run a full node, which would have lead to a smaller number of entities controlling the majority of the network (i.e. BitPay, Blockchain, Circle (i.e. Coinbase), DCG and its parent companies and others.).
If your making your list of bitcoin books to read, this titles should not be missing.
Bitcoin Books 3: The little Bitcoin book
“The Little Bitcoin Book” is a beginner-friendly book that provides a concise and accessible introduction to the world of Bitcoin and blockchain technology. It’s designed to help readers understand the fundamental concepts of digital currency and the underlying technology without delving into complex technical details. Here’s a summary of the book’s key points:
- What is Bitcoin?: The book begins by explaining what Bitcoin is—an innovative form of digital money that exists solely in the digital realm. It introduces the concept of decentralized currency, highlighting its potential to disrupt traditional financial systems.
- How Does Bitcoin Work?: “The Little Bitcoin Book” explains the basics of how Bitcoin transactions work, emphasizing the use of cryptography for security and the decentralized nature of the Bitcoin network.
- Blockchain Technology: The book explores the blockchain, the technology that underlies Bitcoin. It describes the blockchain as a public ledger that records all Bitcoin transactions in a secure and transparent manner.
- Mining and Miners: Readers learn about Bitcoin miners, the individuals or groups who validate and add transactions to the blockchain. The book explains the concept of proof-of-work, which is the process miners use to compete for the right to add a new block of transactions to the blockchain.
- Wallets and Addresses: It introduces the idea of Bitcoin wallets and addresses, which allow users to send and receive Bitcoin. The book emphasizes the importance of private keys for wallet security.
- Why Bitcoin?: “The Little Bitcoin Book” explores the reasons why people find Bitcoin appealing. It discusses issues like financial inclusivity, censorship resistance, and the potential to provide financial services to underserved populations.
- Challenges and Risks: The book acknowledges the challenges and risks associated with Bitcoin, including price volatility, regulatory concerns, and the need for responsible usage.
- The Future of Bitcoin: The authors share their perspectives on the future of Bitcoin and blockchain technology. They suggest that while it’s difficult to predict the future, these innovations have the potential to transform various industries.
- Bitcoin Misconceptions: The book addresses common misconceptions and myths surrounding Bitcoin, helping readers separate fact from fiction.
- Getting Started: For those interested in using or investing in Bitcoin, the book offers some practical advice and resources on how to get started with Bitcoin.
In summary, “The Little Bitcoin Book” is a concise and beginner-friendly guide to understanding Bitcoin and blockchain technology. It provides a foundation for readers to grasp the core concepts, uses, and potential of this digital currency, all while avoiding overly technical jargon. It’s an excellent starting point for individuals looking to explore the world of cryptocurrencies.
If you had to choose just one of many bitcoin books to give as a gift to a friend, this little book is certainly a good choice.
Five Free Bitcoin Books
There are also a number of fantastic books that are completely free. Even the author of “The Bitcoin Standard”, Saifedean Ammous is known to advocate for free education and book circles where PDFs can be “borrowed” among each other to advance knowledge acquistion.
Here is our list of FREE bitcoin books:
Conclusion
Bitcoin books are a superior form of education as the written format allows for the greatest level of comprehension and formulating abstract thoughts.
- Both “The Bitcoin Standard” and “The Blocksize War” are essential readings for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the history and economics behind Bitcoin.
- “The Bitcoin Standard” explains the economic principles behind Bitcoin and how it compares to traditional fiat and other currencies, while “The Blocksize War” delves into the history of one of the most significant debates within the community, and how it shaped the technology as we know it today.
- Reading these books will give you a better appreciation of the nature of Bitcoin, its potential impact on the world and the core principles and ideas that guide its development.
- It is recommended to read “The Bitcoin Standard” first, and then “The Blocksize War”.
Bonus: Best Bitcoin Book Review: The Mandibles
