Docker Deep Dive: Zero to Docker in a single book

by Nigel Poulton

The demand for professionals with Docker skills that can develop cloud-native microservices applications is rising.

Docker Deep 2023 Edition provides comprehensive explanations of core concepts and offers step-by-step guidance on creating and managing containerized applications – from source code to executing in the cloud.

If you are looking for a comprehensive resource to help you master Docker and containers in the real world, this book is for you. As well as giving you valuable knowledge and skills, it offers insights and tips to help you navigate the container and cloud-native ecosystems with confidence

What you will ✓ How to build apps into container images and share them✓ How to deploy and manage multi-container apps, including scaling and self-healing✓ How to secure containers and the infrastructure they run on✓ How to securely network containerized applications✓ How to integrate with external storage providers

Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned developer, Docker Deep Dive is an invaluable resource that will power your career to the next level.

Genres: Technology, Computer Science, Technical, Programming, Reference, Software

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2016

Reviews

[Ruslan Diachenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the May 2025 edition. It's a good refresher if your Docker knowledge has gotten rusty. I wouldn't call it a deep dive as the title suggests, it's more of a solid overview of the main Docker concepts. Some chapters vary in depth: the networking sections go into more detail, while the chapter on WebAssembly feels quite shallow.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to understand all things Docker

I highly recommend this to anyone wanting to know about Docker in general or do a deep dive if you wish read til the end. Nigel has done a great job of breaking some of the complex terminology in easy to comprehend diagrams and analogies. So glad I decided to give this book a try!

[Mehmet Davut · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was already know and use the Docker everyday programming and I can't say I learned so much new things from the book. However, I liked the book so much because it shows very practical information which fills the gaps on my Docker knowledge. There were so many, "oh now I understood it better" moments while reading the book.

While I reading the book I realized that this book would be better to split two different books; the first one Docker for development and the second Docker for production. Because, I just skipped Docker Swarm and Docker Stack parts which was very confusing. I think the practical usage is good for the development tools part but server-side informations needs more explanation instead of pretending the reader knows something.

[Mr D LAVER · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid, plain and simple masterclass on Docker.

I have 30 years IT experience but none of containers or Docker. So I searched on my Pluralsight account, found Nigel and loved his videos. They patiently explained key concepts and showed me how to get on my feet in this strange new world, but I like to read and recap in my own time and pace. So I bought this book and did just that without any regret. Nice one Nigel!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t attest to whether it’s a “deep dive” but I read it in the morning and was up and running in the afternoon, so it’s an excellent introduction at any rate. The book structure is extremely clear, and it moves at pace. Good stuff.

[Ventsislav Potchekanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect intro to Docker

This book provides great overview of what Docker is, from both Dev and Ops perspective.
It also looks under the hood with enough technical details to help you grasp how things work.
It’s packed with examples that are easy to follow on your laptop, as well as in your (virtual?) lab.
The book is well structured and easy to follow.
Great for devs and enterprise IT.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book title I read was "Docker Deep Dive". I was a little disappointed because it did not feel like a deep dive. The level of detail on the volumes and networking chapters/sections were not as in depth as I would have liked. There are so many details left unmentioned. The book is a nice introduction but I would not call it a deep dive at all.

[melinda sue haflich · Rating 5 out of 5]

The docker book

This book is the docker book to read. I thought it was awesoke from front to back. If you want to truly.understand docker and what you could do with it get this book!

[Liaksiej Maroz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book to dive into aspects of Docker (like values and networking). Well described working examples. I skimmed the chapters related to Swarm, since it is not relevant to me now. It's still better to have a Linux machine or at least WSL to fully work with deployment examples.

[Ajitabh Pandey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice start and introduction from a SysAdmin perspective. If you do not know about Docker, this is a good book to start, even for non-sysadmins.

[Marcial Lalanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Docker accesible

Nivel Poulton hace ameno el aprendizaje de Docker, tanto en su libro como en los cursos de Pluralsight. Muy accesible.

[Gerardo Santoveña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

I really enjoyed reading this book as it really explains Docker in a simple way, even the hard topics. The examples are very useful.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very beefy subject but the author does a great job of making it accessible to non sysadmins, like me.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nigel kills it as always!

[Сергей Польшин · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Good view. And some basics steps. So good book to start.
But better to skip pulling images text. It's just to add more text to book?

[Daniel A Eggert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first dive!

Nigel gives you enough detail to be conversational with your colleagues and start using Docker. He achieves exactly what he set out to do...

[Scot Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive explanation of Docker

Great overview of how to use Docker. Everything from the basics to some really technical configurations. Would recommend to anyone new to Docker.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

+ Gives an overview of the Docker ecosystem and its CLI interface.
-- The writing is not great. A relatively high number of typos, inconsistencies in the text, and too many smiley faces (🙂) for a book.

[TuanhAnh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed. The book is not as deep as I expected. The book is suitable for beginners, not the one who experience docker.

[Deivide Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Directly to the point. Essential book to understand docker. It’s not a complete book about Docker but can help you to understand and start fast using this technology.

[Євген Єрмоленко · Rating 5 out of 5]

All what you need regarding Docker fundamentals

[Tom Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intermediate book!

Excellent book for the beginner to grow into an intermediate level Docker programmer. This is a must-have in your library!

[Steven N · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the point

Very applicable knowledge provided clearly. Well worth the time investment. Several of the explanations immediately improved my daily work flow.

[Pushon Bhattacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super helpful and informative. It's broken down nicely into sections so you can go as deep as you like.

[Michele Bariani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to container-based virtualization. Nigel Poulton is, as usual, crystal clear.
The book is maybe a bit short, but it being on Leanpub it's likely to get extensions and updates in the future.