The 3 Best DevOps Books

Looking for the most impactful books on DevOps to transform your organization's software delivery? You'll find carefully curated reviews of essential DevOps literature that can guide your journey from traditional IT to high-performing technology teams.

On this page, you'll discover detailed analyses of industry-defining works like 'Accelerate' and 'The Phoenix Project' – books that have shaped how modern organizations approach DevOps. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your DevOps practices, these reviews will help you identify which books best address your specific challenges.

(Disclosure: We love sharing our favorite books with you! As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from purchases you make through our links, which helps us continue creating content you enjoy.)

Accelerate: The Science of Lean Software and DevOps: Building and Scaling High Performing Technology Organizations - Dr. Nicole Forsgren, Jez Humble, and Gene Kim

Accelerate: The Science of Lean Software and DevOps: Building and Scaling High Performing Technology Organizations

by Dr. Nicole Forsgren, Jez Humble, and Gene Kim

This book presents empirical evidence that agile practices significantly improve IT team performance, based on a three-year DevOps Survey conducted by the authors. Though well-structured but somewhat dry, the book focuses on scientific validation rather than describing the methods themselves. It's particularly valuable for skeptical IT managers and programmers seeking data-backed arguments for agile transformation.

Read full review | Buy book at Amazon

The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win - Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford

The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win

by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford

This review explores 'The Phoenix Project,' an engaging novel about IT transformation. Follow Bill, the newly appointed IT head, as he tackles familiar challenges: missed deadlines, problematic deployments, and interdepartmental blame. With just 90 days to save his department from outsourcing, Bill must transform a traditional IT operation into an agile DevOps team – a journey that offers valuable insights for modern businesses.

Read full review | Buy book at Amazon

The Unicorn Project: A Novel about Developers, Digital Disruption, and Thriving in the Age of Data - Gene Kim

The Unicorn Project: A Novel about Developers, Digital Disruption, and Thriving in the Age of Data

by Gene Kim

"The Unicorn Project" follows programmer Maxine as she navigates common development challenges after being transferred to the Phoenix project. She encounters a secret group called the "Rebellion" promoting modern software principles. Like its predecessor, the book entertainingly demonstrates what's possible when traditional companies embrace digital transformation. It's an accessible read that reunites readers with familiar characters while telling the story from a developer's perspective.

Read full review | Buy book at Amazon