<p>I wrote the <a href="http://bitcointalk.org/?topic=7269.0" rel="nofollow">"New to Bitcoin? Start here!"</a> post at bitcointalk.org.</p>

<p>OrigamiRobot, I highly recommend that you read that introduction before proceeding on to anything else, especially the original whitepaper, which is incredibly unapproachable for the average person.  After you finish it, come here and ask about the things that still confuse you--Bitcoin is very complicated, and it can take a while to wrap your head around it!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-30T23:32:36.803Z
2015-06-26T01:37:03.007Z
2015-06-26T01:37:03.007Z
eMansipater
<p><a href="http://www.weusecoins.com/" rel="nofollow">Weusecoins.com</a> has an excellent video on the basic premise of bitcoin. Bitcoin is a very complicated platform, and really has two separate entities. There is bitcoin the currency, and bitcoin the currency ledger.</p>

<p>The wiki available at <a href="http://www.bitcoin.it" rel="nofollow">bitcoin.it</a> will give you more in depth information if the weusecoins video is too broad.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-30T21:46:56.067Z
2011-09-10T23:56:28.883Z
2011-09-10T23:56:28.883Z
Alex Waters
<p>For a detailed, yet approachable (if you know a little bit about software and cryptography) overview of how bitcoin works, read Satoshi's white paper at: <a href="http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf">http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf</a></p>

<p>Here's a hint to get you started: a bitcoin is a balance in an account.  It's not a token that is passed around.  Many digital cash systems are based on discreet tokens.  That's not the case with bitcoin.  It is a ledger system that consists of a transaction history where balances are transferred between accounts.  If you understand this before reading the paper, it might make more sense.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-30T21:54:39.597Z
this PDF explains it best, everything else makes a lot more sense if you first digest it. Bitcoin is still a piece of software, and as always reading the manual will always help.
Buckhead_Comp_Ser_Co
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-01T14:54:48.840Z
I do not think the whitepaper is at all approachable for someone that is brand new to bitcoin, unless that person happens to be a cryptographer that is brand new to bitcoin.
lemonginger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-30T21:31:33.673Z
2011-08-30T21:31:33.673Z
Stephen
<p>I think that the <a href="http://www.bitcoin.it/" rel="nofollow">Bitcoin wiki</a> is actually a very good place to learn about Bitcoin. Just read the articles there. If you don't understand something, just continue reading and then follow up on the terms you didn't understand.</p>

<p>If you then still have questions left, feel free to ask them here.</p>

<p>PS: <a href="http://www.weusecoins.com/" rel="nofollow">we use coins</a> is also a good place to start, especially the video mentioned by Matth1a3.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-30T21:51:56.637Z
2015-07-28T13:59:05.193Z
2015-07-28T13:59:05.193Z
Mononofu
<p>Try <a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/06/virtual-currency" rel="nofollow">this blog post</a> from <a href="http://www.economist.com/" rel="nofollow">The Economist</a>. They are professional writers and obviously knowledgeable in economics so it's a good read. Their opinion on the future of Bitcoin is a bit pessimistic though.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/06/virtual-currency" rel="nofollow">http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/06/virtual-currency</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-07T17:09:00.710Z
Please add a comment when downvoting.
D.H.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-08-31T18:49:52.470Z
2011-08-31T19:13:33.087Z
2011-08-31T19:13:33.087Z
D.H.
<p>A couple of years after this question was asked there is now an excellent book about bitcoin targeted mostly to developers: <a href="https://github.com/aantonop/bitcoinbook" rel="nofollow">Mastering Bitcoin [github]</a>.</p>

<p>It's written by bitcoin expert <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Antonopoulos" rel="nofollow">Andreas Antonopoulos</a> and is available for free on github.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-08-04T11:08:52.173Z
Why is this down-voted? Anything wrong with the answer? Please let me know.
pors
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-01T18:44:18.130Z
2015-06-28T08:41:37.157Z
2015-06-28T08:41:37.157Z
pors
<p>I recommend this <a href="https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=88149.0" rel="nofollow">master thesis</a> on “Design and security analysis of Bitcoin infrastructure using application deployed on Google Apps Engine.” It covers the fundamentals of Bitcoin protocol and how everything works together in Bitcoin ecosystem.</p>

<p>I believe the author of this paper is also quite active here!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-01T20:46:19.280Z
2014-11-01T20:46:19.280Z
mc9
<p>Others have already recommended <em><a href="http://github.com/aantonop/bitcoinbook" rel="nofollow">Mastering Bitcoin</a></em> and the <a href="http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf" rel="nofollow">whitepaper</a>, and I'd strongly agree. <em>Mastering Bitcoin</em>'s section on transactions is particularly useful.</p>

<p>However, nobody's recommended the <a href="https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-guide" rel="nofollow">Developer Guide at bitcoin.org</a> yet, and it's one of the better resources for learning about Bitcoin, in my opinion. </p>

<p>For less technical resources, a good starting place would be Andreas Antonopoulos and Balaji Srinivasan's videos on Youtube. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-06-26T15:11:49.537Z
2015-06-28T08:43:09.653Z
2015-06-28T08:43:09.653Z
jdb6167
<p>The <strong>Princeton Bitcoin textbook</strong> is freely available <a href="https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2016/02/09/the-princeton-bitcoin-textbook-is-now-freely-available/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.
I've read parts of it, and it is well-written and easily accessible if you have some computer science background. It was published to accompany their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOMVZXLjKYo" rel="nofollow">Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies Online Course</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-24T17:24:50.933Z
2016-10-24T17:24:50.933Z
Murch
<p>Jameson Lopp curates an excellent collection of  <a href="https://www.lopp.net/bitcoin-information.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">all things Bitcoin on his website</a>. If you are new, check out a few of the explanations he links in the &quot;Getting Started&quot; section, he also covers books, courses, blogs, podcasts, articles, technical resources, and more.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-08-17T03:05:08.287Z
2020-08-17T03:05:08.287Z
Murch
<p>Here is one more blog, a small eBook:
<a href="https://infopedia.io/revolution-of-money/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://infopedia.io/revolution-of-money/</a></p>
<p>(Money and Payment systems of tomorrow)
Bitcoin rise with crypto industry story</p>
<p>Disclaimer: I'm the author.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-05T11:38:04.800Z
2022-10-05T11:38:04.800Z
borisdj
<p>I suggest the book Bitcoin Step by Step which can be found on Kindle.<BR>
<BR>
<a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B00A1CUQQU" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A1CUQQU</a><BR>
<BR>
It will get users started safe and secure in the Bitcoin market place.  It takes them screen by screen <BR>
- on how to set up a wallet securely<BR>
- Funding an account<BR>
- sending / receiving BTC<BR>
- Extracting BTC to currency<BR>
- Where they can spend BTC<BR>
- How they can earn BTC<BR></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-10T20:03:20.137Z
2012-11-10T20:03:20.137Z
osok
<p>I created this <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/nzg4o/the_canonical_newbie_guide_to_bitcoin/" rel="nofollow">Canonical Newbie Guide on Reddit</a>.
It's still empty, but I'm hoping it will become a good resource for newbies.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-01-02T05:46:58.760Z
2012-01-02T05:46:58.760Z
ripper234
<p>I've tried to read about what a Bitcoin is, how to mine, etc.  I find them to be confusing in that I don't understand the underlying factors driving Bitcoin.  Everything I've read seems to assume the reader has some knowledge of Bitcoin (even the wiki).  Where should I start?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-26T18:10:11.137Z
*Sorry for the huge bump*. If someone ever gets here new resources have been created since the question was asked, https://learnmeabitcoin.com/ is great for newcomers and http://bitcoin.page is a good central place which links to places with Bitcoin resources.
Antoine Poinsot
CC BY-SA 3.0
2011-09-01T08:32:42.273Z
I recommend reading the articles and watching the videos on http://howmanycoins.com/
osmosis
<bitcoin-literature><introducing-bitcoin>
What are some good resources for understanding Bitcoin?
Origami Robot
# What are some good resources for understanding Bitcoin?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2011-08-30)

I've tried to read about what a Bitcoin is, how to mine, etc. I find them to be confusing in that I don't understand the underlying factors driving Bitcoin. Everything I've read seems to assume the reader has some knowledge of Bitcoin (even the wiki). Where should I start?

**Tags:** bitcoin-literature, introducing-bitcoin

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: I recommend reading the articles and watching the videos on http://howmanycoins.com/  
> **username_1**: *Sorry for the huge bump*. If someone ever gets here new resources have been created since the question was asked, https://learnmeabitcoin.com/ is great for newcomers and http://bitcoin.page is a good central place which links to places with Bitcoin resources.  

---

## 13 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2011-08-30. Score: 13

I wrote the ["New to Bitcoin? Start here!"](http://bitcointalk.org/?topic=7269.0) post at bitcointalk.org.

OrigamiRobot, I highly recommend that you read that introduction before proceeding on to anything else, especially the original whitepaper, which is incredibly unapproachable for the average person. After you finish it, come here and ask about the things that still confuse you--Bitcoin is very complicated, and it can take a while to wrap your head around it!


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2011-08-30. Score: 12

[Weusecoins.com](http://www.weusecoins.com/) has an excellent video on the basic premise of bitcoin. Bitcoin is a very complicated platform, and really has two separate entities. There is bitcoin the currency, and bitcoin the currency ledger.

The wiki available at [bitcoin.it](http://www.bitcoin.it) will give you more in depth information if the weusecoins video is too broad.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2011-08-30. Score: 5

For a detailed, yet approachable (if you know a little bit about software and cryptography) overview of how bitcoin works, read Satoshi's white paper at: <http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf>

Here's a hint to get you started: a bitcoin is a balance in an account. It's not a token that is passed around. Many digital cash systems are based on discreet tokens. That's not the case with bitcoin. It is a ledger system that consists of a transaction history where balances are transferred between accounts. If you understand this before reading the paper, it might make more sense.

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: this PDF explains it best, everything else makes a lot more sense if you first digest it. Bitcoin is still a piece of software, and as always reading the manual will always help.  
> **username_7**: I do not think the whitepaper is at all approachable for someone that is brand new to bitcoin, unless that person happens to be a cryptographer that is brand new to bitcoin.  

---

### Answer by username_8 on 2011-08-30. Score: 4

I think that the [Bitcoin wiki](http://www.bitcoin.it/) is actually a very good place to learn about Bitcoin. Just read the articles there. If you don't understand something, just continue reading and then follow up on the terms you didn't understand.

If you then still have questions left, feel free to ask them here.

PS: [we use coins](http://www.weusecoins.com/) is also a good place to start, especially the video mentioned by Matth1a3.


---

### Answer by username_9 on 2011-08-31. Score: 3

Try [this blog post](http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/06/virtual-currency) from [The Economist](http://www.economist.com/). They are professional writers and obviously knowledgeable in economics so it's a good read. Their opinion on the future of Bitcoin is a bit pessimistic though.

<http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2011/06/virtual-currency>

> **Comments:**
> **username_9**: Please add a comment when downvoting.  

---

### Answer by username_10 on 2014-11-01. Score: 2

A couple of years after this question was asked there is now an excellent book about bitcoin targeted mostly to developers: [Mastering Bitcoin [github]](https://github.com/aantonop/bitcoinbook).

It's written by bitcoin expert [Andreas Antonopoulos](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Antonopoulos) and is available for free on github.

> **Comments:**
> **username_10**: Why is this down-voted? Anything wrong with the answer? Please let me know.  

---

### Answer by username_11 on 2014-11-01. Score: 1

I recommend this [master thesis](https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=88149.0) on “Design and security analysis of Bitcoin infrastructure using application deployed on Google Apps Engine.” It covers the fundamentals of Bitcoin protocol and how everything works together in Bitcoin ecosystem.

I believe the author of this paper is also quite active here!


---

### Answer by username_12 on 2015-06-26. Score: 1

Others have already recommended *[Mastering Bitcoin](http://github.com/aantonop/bitcoinbook)* and the [whitepaper](http://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf), and I'd strongly agree. *Mastering Bitcoin*'s section on transactions is particularly useful.

However, nobody's recommended the [Developer Guide at bitcoin.org](https://bitcoin.org/en/developer-guide) yet, and it's one of the better resources for learning about Bitcoin, in my opinion.

For less technical resources, a good starting place would be Andreas Antonopoulos and Balaji Srinivasan's videos on Youtube.


---

### Answer by username_13 on 2016-10-24. Score: 0

The **Princeton Bitcoin textbook** is freely available [here](https://freedom-to-tinker.com/2016/02/09/the-princeton-bitcoin-textbook-is-now-freely-available/).
I've read parts of it, and it is well-written and easily accessible if you have some computer science background. It was published to accompany their [Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technologies Online Course](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOMVZXLjKYo).


---

### Answer by username_13 on 2020-08-17. Score: 0

Jameson Lopp curates an excellent collection of [all things Bitcoin on his website](https://www.lopp.net/bitcoin-information.html). If you are new, check out a few of the explanations he links in the "Getting Started" section, he also covers books, courses, blogs, podcasts, articles, technical resources, and more.


---

### Answer by username_14 on 2022-10-05. Score: 0

Here is one more blog, a small eBook:
<https://infopedia.io/revolution-of-money/>

(Money and Payment systems of tomorrow)
Bitcoin rise with crypto industry story

Disclaimer: I'm the author.


---

### Answer by username_15 on 2012-11-10. Score: -1

I suggest the book Bitcoin Step by Step which can be found on Kindle.  
  
[http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A1CUQQU](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B00A1CUQQU)  
  
It will get users started safe and secure in the Bitcoin market place. It takes them screen by screen   
- on how to set up a wallet securely  
- Funding an account  
- sending / receiving BTC  
- Extracting BTC to currency  
- Where they can spend BTC  
- How they can earn BTC


---

### Answer by username_16 on 2012-01-02. Score: -2

I created this [Canonical Newbie Guide on Reddit](http://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/nzg4o/the_canonical_newbie_guide_to_bitcoin/).
It's still empty, but I'm hoping it will become a good resource for newbies.


---

