So you have heard of all the advantages and geeky babble about how Linux is better and you have finally decided to try it? Just one thing, you don’t know an awful lot about Linux to get you started. How about some free downloadable ebooks to teach yourself Linux, that you can download today? Would that help?
Free – you ask? Yes, free. Welcome to the world of Linux where things are free both as in free speech and also as in free beer (mostly)!
If you are starting out on your journey towards Linux awesomeness, here are a few free downloadable ebooks to teach yourself Linux that should help you along nicely:
Getting Started Guide to Linux
MakeUseOf’s very own Newbie’s Guide to Linux, tells you how to choose a distribution and then teaches you how to perform a basic Linux install. You can then use the guide to familiarize yourself with the Linux desktop and some basic commands.
Stefan did a great job in keeping it simple and to the point, the way beginners want it. Also don’t forget to check out our other MakeUseOf Manuals.
Introduction to Linux – A Hands on Guide

Takes you from the absolute basics to basics. This hands on guide tells you everything right from logging in, basic file management, backup techniques up to basics of networking. It is what you need if you are having difficulty figuring out how to get to that resume file you saved just now. The guide explains Linux file structure and introduces to basic commands and text editors as well.
GNU/Linux Command line tools Summary
(Download)
One important aspect of working in Linux is that you have to familiar with the command line. This book shows you how to use the command line in Linux to your advantage. Apart from the ins and outs of the shell, this book also introduces various commands and the situations where you would use them. There are chapters that deal with specific tasks and list various commands you can use to achieve the task. If you can study online, there is another excellent manual you can refer to.
Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference
(Download)

Ubuntu is one of the most popular distributions, new users look up to when trying out Linux. If it is Ubuntu specific information that you are after then you should definitely check out Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference. The guide takes you from installing and configuring Ubuntu to adding and managing software and securing your system. A must read book if you use Ubuntu.
Rute User’s Tutorial and Exposition
(Download)

This one is not for the faint hearted! There is enough Linux juice in this book to keep even the intermediate to advanced users interested. The book begins humbly by presenting the basic commands and tools, however before you know it, you are learning everything from regular expressions to shell scripting to C programming to networking.
There is plenty of great material out there if you are trying to learn Linux, similar to these downloadable ebooks to teach yourself everything you ever wanted to know about Linux. If you have read a book or a tutorial that you found particularly useful, feel free to tell us about it in the comments below.
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Thanks, these should be useful since I just installed Ubuntu!
The download link for “LINUX: Rute User’s Tutorial and Exposition” did not work for me. But I found this one.
http://wireless.ictp.it/school_2003/docs/linux/rute.pdf
Thank you soo much for recommending these books. Perfect timing for me.
Thank you Varun!
If anybody is having trouble with the download link for “LINUX: Rute User’s Tutorial and Exposition”,
Good article, but please, Varun, don’t abuse the question mark! It’s painful to read statements that end with a question mark but aren’t questions. Are you asking a question? Ask it then! Don’t be coy or clever with the intent of your statement. Good grammar should be the standard, not the exception!
Your article is a wonderful map for the Linux noob. Good job!
newbie’s book is a must read.
i’ve read that one.
thx for sharing.
Thank you MrSelf for mirroring of ebook !
Excellent. We will need this type of information to advance in our learning process.
Thank for sharing!
This one is easily my favorite for the basics
http://unixmages.com/
Good for beginning
Thanks for the wonderful list.
Another great free eBook: LINUX 101 HACKS
bloggers are the white trash of the net. You are a bloated piece of shit.
Thanks for sharing those are pretty cool.
Great post, putting a link up on my blog :-)
This is good
Try this new books http://tips-linux.net/en/books
Thanks for the informative, yet free eBooks! These are great for beginners to even experienced users. I recommend everyone taking a peak at these.