Google Cloud certifications have gained serious traction, especially at organizations running Kubernetes (which Google created), BigQuery, or multi-cloud architectures. The study material landscape is thinner than AWS or Azure, which makes choosing the right book more important. Dan Sullivan’s Sybex guides dominate this space because he writes clearly and his practice questions are realistic.
Two certification paths matter most: Professional Cloud Architect (the senior-level cert that hiring managers look for) and Associate Cloud Engineer (the hands-on operations cert). Both are covered here. For other cloud certifications, see our AWS cert books and Azure cert books posts.
Tested March 2026. All books verified available and in print.
Professional Cloud Architect
Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect Study Guide, 2nd Edition
Dan Sullivan’s Sybex guide is the definitive resource for the Professional Cloud Architect exam. The 2nd edition covers every exam objective including Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Anthos for hybrid/multi-cloud, Cloud Run, BigQuery, Cloud Spanner, and network design patterns. It includes 300+ practice questions, 100+ electronic flashcards, and 2 full-length practice exams through the Sybex online test bank. Sullivan’s explanations connect GCP services to the architectural decisions the exam tests, which is more useful than memorizing feature lists.
- Author: Dan Sullivan
- Published: April 2022 (Sybex/Wiley, 2nd Edition)
- Best for: Professional Cloud Architect exam prep (senior-level)
- Amazon: Buy on Amazon
Professional Cloud Architect Google Cloud Certification Guide, 2nd Edition
Konrad Clapa and Brian Gerrard’s Packt title takes a more practical approach, walking through GCP core services (Compute Engine, GKE, Cloud Storage, VPC networking) with hands-on exercises. It covers scaling, automation, and security from an architect’s perspective. Less polished than Sullivan’s Sybex guide, but the practical exercises add value if you learn by doing rather than reading. Use it as a supplement, not a replacement.
- Authors: Konrad Clapa, Brian Gerrard
- Published: December 2021 (Packt, 2nd Edition)
- Best for: Hands-on practice alongside a primary study guide
- Amazon: Buy on Amazon
Associate Cloud Engineer
Google Cloud Certified Associate Cloud Engineer Study Guide, 2nd Edition
Another Dan Sullivan title, this one targets the Associate Cloud Engineer exam. It covers deploying applications, managing GCP projects, configuring access and security, monitoring, and using the gcloud CLI effectively. Includes 2 practice exams, 100 flashcards, and the Sybex online test bank. The Associate exam is more operations-focused than the Architect exam, testing whether you can actually do things in GCP rather than just design solutions on paper.
If you are new to GCP, start with this cert before attempting the Professional Cloud Architect.
- Author: Dan Sullivan
- Published: February 2023 (Sybex/Wiley, 2nd Edition)
- Best for: Associate Cloud Engineer exam prep (hands-on operations)
- Amazon: Buy on Amazon
Which certification should you target first?
| Your background | Start with |
|---|---|
| New to GCP | Associate Cloud Engineer (Sullivan, Sybex) |
| Already operate GCP in production | Professional Cloud Architect (Sullivan, Sybex) |
| Want hands-on exercises alongside reading | Architect Guide (Sullivan) + Certification Guide (Clapa/Gerrard) |
The Associate cert proves you can operate GCP. The Professional Architect cert proves you can design solutions on it. Most career paths benefit from both, in that order.
