Grokking Bitcoin

<b>Summary</b><br><br>If you think Bitcoin is just an alternative currency for geeks, it's time to think again. <i>Grokking Bitcoin</i> opens up this powerful distributed ledger system, exploring the technology that enables applications both for Bitcoin-based financial transactions and using the blockchain for registering physical property ownership. With this fully illustrated, easy-to-read guide, you'll finally understand how Bitcoin works, how you can use it, and why you can trust the blockchain.<br><br>Foreword by David A. Harding, Contributor to Bitcoin documentation.<br><br>Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.<br><br><b>About the Technology</b><br><br>Inflation, depressed economies, debased currencies ... these are just a few of the problems centralized banking has caused throughout history. Bitcoin, a digital currency created with the ambition to shift control away from change-prone governments, has the potential to bring an end to those problems once and for all. It's time to find out how it can help you.<br><br><b>About the Book</b><br><br><i>Grokking Bitcoin</i> explains why Bitcoin's supporters trust it so deeply, and why you can too. This approachable book will introduce you to Bitcoin's groundbreaking technology, which is the key to this world-changing system. This illustrated, easy-to-read guide prepares you for a new way of thinking with easy-to-follow diagrams and exercises. You'll discover how Bitcoin mining works, how to accept Bitcoin, how to participate in the Bitcoin network, and how to set up a digital wallet.<br><br><b>What's inside</b><br><br><ul><li>Bitcoin transactions</li><li>The blockchain</li><li>Bitcoin mining</li><li>Bitcoin wallets</li></ul><br><b>About the Reader</b><br><br>Intended for anyone interested in learning about Bitcoin technology. While a basic understanding of technical concepts is beneficial, no programming skills are necessary.<br><br><b>About the Author</b><br><br><b>Kalle Rosenbaum</b> is a computer scientist, an avid Bitcoin supporter, and the founder of Propeller, a Bitcoin consultancy.<br><br><b>Table of Contents</b><br><br><ol><li>Introduction to Bitcoin</li><li>Cryptographic hash functions and digital signatures</li><li>Addresses</li><li>Wallets</li><li>Transactions</li><li>The blockchain</li><li>Proof of work</li><li>Peer-to-peer network</li><li>Transactions revisited</li><li>Segregated witness</li><li>Bitcoin upgrades </li></ol>