tcpip illustrated volume 1
After I did my first ever Unix install (FreeBSD 2.2.5), I was absolutely clueless on where to go next. I knew I wanted to learn more about how the Internet works, so I was pointed to this book. What I was really looking for were a few books on how to set up a web / email / dns server but the person misunderstood me and thought I wanted something on the underlying protocols. So instead of me learning how to drive, I bought a book on car schematics and blueprints. Jesus Christ, was I confused.
Fast forward 3 years to when I finally had somewhat of a grasp on what I was originally looking for. Now this book made sense. It even made a ton of other things more clear. This book really is how the Internet works. Anyone who has a full time job that involves a server or networking device needs to read this book. Yes, it will hurt. Yes, you will fall asleep after every third paragraph -- but you will come out a better person in the end. So much so that the next time you're watching a tcpdump stream, you'll be able to pick out Blonde, Brunette, Redhead.
This book gets a 10/10.
