7 Machine Learning Books for Beginners You Can Buy on Amazon

Machine learning is one of the most important technologies today. It drives a lot of modern technologies and services, so it’s a worthwhile subject to study. If you’d like to learn more but don’t know where to start, there are plenty of machine learning books on Amazon.

If you’ve never studied the field before, you probably don’t know what’s a good resource and what isn’t. With that in mind, here are seven machine learning books on Amazon that are excellent for beginners.

1. Deep Learning

Elon Musk called this book “the only comprehensive book” about deep learning. “Comprehensive” is right because this text covers topics from the field’s mathematical background to different research perspectives. If you want to get the most information you can out of one book, this is the resource for you.

The scale of this book can seem a bit daunting at first, especially as a beginner. Still, it has such a wealth of information that it’s an excellent starting point for anyone interested in deep learning. You can buy a new copy on Amazon for $52 or rent it for $33.15.

2. Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach

The best-selling “Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach” is a popular choice for university AI programs. Whether or not you’re studying the subject in college, it’s a great beginner’s resource. It provides an in-depth look at several topics within the field of AI, specifically geared towards practical applications.

Coming in at over 1,000 pages, it’s not a quick read. Though it’s long, it lays out its information in a way that readers of various levels can understand. This comprehensive text is available for as low as $18 if you get the paperback edition.

3. Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning

Though it was initially published in 2006, “Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning” remains an excellent resource today. Like many of the other books on this list, this is a favorite of university machine learning classes. You don’t need an understanding of machine learning going into it, but you should probably have a grasp on algebra and calculus.

No matter your machine learning knowledge level, this book can help you test your skills. It includes questions at the end to reinforce the key concepts it discussed. You can grab it for around $65 on Amazon.

4. Machine Learning: A Probabilistic Perspective

Of course, there are more recent machine learning books on Amazon as well. Kevin P. Murphy’s “Machine Learning: A Probabilistic Perspective” is a prime example. As the title suggests, this book looks at machine learning through the lens of probability, but that’s not all it offers.

The book starts with an introduction to machine learning, making it more accessible to beginners. Its tone is also less formal, making it easier to grasp some of the more in-depth, practical concepts it addresses. Hard copies go for around $85 and above, but you can rent it or get an electronic copy for less.

5. Python Machine Learning By Example

Another newer book, “Python Machine Learning By Example,” touts itself as the easiest way to get into machine learning. Like the last entry, this one begins with an introduction to machine learning. It’s more specific than some others, though, focusing on coding algorithms with Python.

The book has an introduction to Python, too, so you don’t need much coding experience to understand it. It’s one of the most practical texts out there, with plenty of real-world examples and applications. It’s more affordable than others, too, going for $49.99.

6. Machine Learning for Absolute Beginners

As the title says, “Machine Learning for Absolute Beginners” is for people with no machine learning background. This text isn’t as in-depth as some of the others here, but it’s an outstanding introduction to the field. It starts with the most basic of basics, going over where to get free data sets and tools you’ll need.

This book features plenty of illustrations and diagrams to help you grasp its concepts. It will also walk you through building your first machine learning model with Python. Best of all, you can get it for as low as $17.50.

7. The Elements of Statistical Learning

The second edition of “The Elements of Statistical Learning” is one of the best-selling machine learning books on Amazon. It’s easy to see why, too, as it covers a broad range of topics, from neural networks to testing methods.

This textbook is a little more advanced than some others, but it encourages readers to look into things themselves. That tone of exploration makes it a fantastic learning tool. You can grab this one for around $52 or rent it for less.

Learn More About Machine Learning Today

Machine learning can be an intimidating subject, but there are plenty of resources to help you. These seven books are by no means the only ones, but they’re among the best for beginners. Hop on Amazon and grab one or two of these books to start learning about machine learning today.