# Elements of Information Theory by Cover and Thomas

4 Hacker News commenters recommended Elements of Information Theory by Cover and Thomas and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 2 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** People recommend it as a solid, gem-quality book for understanding information theory. No recurring criticism appears in the quotes.

## Why people recommend it

- Gives a solid understanding of the field (1 comments): "a solid understanding of the book by Cover" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49809617))
- Seen as a gem of a book (1 comments): "Seems like a gem of a book." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47702404))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/structure-and-interpretation-of-computer-programs.md): 55 recommend
- [The Art of Computer Programming by Donald E. Knuth](https://hackerapproved.com/p/art-of-computer-programming.md): 28 recommend
- [Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sicp.md): 12 recommend
- [Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by Nielsen and Chuang](https://hackerapproved.com/p/quantum-computation-and-quantum-information.md): 12 recommend
- [Digital Design and Computer Architecture by Harris and Harris](https://hackerapproved.com/p/digital-design-and-computer-architecture.md): 8 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1118585771?tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/130825/9781118585771) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Elements of Information Theory by Cover and Thomas", https://hackerapproved.com/p/elements-of-information-theory/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).