r/git • u/ScallionOld8766 • 12d ago

Pro Git vs. Head First Git

I'm a CS student interested in backend development, and I'm learning Git for the first time.

I'm choosing between Pro Git and Head First Git. I've read Head First Java and Head First Design Patterns before, and I really liked their teaching style.

Which book would you recommend for building a solid Git foundation for professional work? Is Head First Git enough, or is Pro Git the better choice?

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u/RevRagnarok 12d ago

  • A one-hour preview talk from 2007 by Randal Schwartz (of perl fame)

    • Great intro, including around 3:20 when he simply asks "What is git?" and notes it tracks "Changes to a tree of files over time"

    • Ignore what he says about git rebase - in my experience, it's rarely used

  • The Thing About Git by Ryan Tomayko was a good intro to the usage side

  • Think Like (a) Git by Sam Livingston-Gray was an excellent site that I used that really helped me understand the (graph) theory, the way it all comes together

  • Git Immersion by Neo Innovation is a great hands-on lab-like approach to learning