“A common adage in the world of Git is ‘commit early, commit often.”
— Anna Skoulikari
The Author
Anna Skoulikari is a software engineer, educator, and technical author known for her approachable and visually-driven teaching style. She is the author of Learning Git: A Hands-On and Visual Guide to the Basics of Git, a beginner-friendly book that breaks down version control concepts using diagrams, practical exercises, and storytelling. With a background in both programming and design, Skoulikari focuses on making technical concepts accessible to developers, data professionals, and creatives alike. Her work emphasizes clarity, mental models, and hands-on learning to help readers truly understand the tools they use.
The Book
Learning Git: A Hands-On and Visual Guide to the Basics of Git by Anna Skoulikari is a beginner-friendly book designed to help readers understand Git through visuals, storytelling, and practical exercises. Unlike traditional technical guides, this book focuses on building strong mental models using diagrams and relatable examples, making it especially accessible to those new to version control systems.
The book walks readers through the core concepts of Git, including repositories, commits, branches, merges, and working with remotes. Each concept is introduced incrementally, supported by color-coded visuals and hands-on practice using sample projects. Readers learn not just the how, but the why behind Git operations—why staging exists, what a branch really is, and how merges and rebases work under the hood.
Skoulikari’s teaching style is particularly well-suited for visual learners and professionals outside traditional software development roles, such as designers, technical writers, and data analysts. The book encourages experimentation and builds confidence in using Git independently and collaboratively.
Overall, Learning Git is an approachable, engaging, and effective introduction to Git that helps demystify version control and equips readers with the tools and confidence to manage code and content in real-world projects.
What I liked
The book uses diagrams, color-coded workflows, and illustrations to simplify abstract Git concepts—perfect for visual learners.
Git scenarios are explained through relatable narratives, helping make abstract ideas more concrete and memorable.
Anna Skoulikari explains complex topics like branching, rebasing, and merging in plain language without overwhelming the reader.
Instead of just teaching commands, it helps readers understand what Git is doing internally, promoting deeper, long-term understanding.
What I disliked
The book focuses on foundational concepts and skips more advanced Git features like submodules, cherry-picking, or advanced conflict resolution.
There’s limited guidance on resolving complex Git issues like detached HEAD state, rebase conflicts, or corrupted repositories.
What to expect?
The writing is clear, accessible, and free from heavy technical jargon—ideal for learners from non-engineering backgrounds.
You’ll learn Git using the terminal, helping you build confidence and fluency in the most flexible and powerful way to use Git.
Concepts are introduced in a carefully structured order, starting with basics like
git init, add, and commit, and gradually moving to branching, merging, and remotes.Conclusion
Learning Git: A Hands-On and Visual Guide to the Basics of Git is a thoughtfully crafted introduction to one of the most essential tools in modern software and content development. By combining practical exercises with a uniquely visual and narrative approach, the book demystifies Git for absolute beginners and non-technical professionals alike. Rather than overwhelming the reader with commands and syntax, Skoulikari focuses on building conceptual understanding—helping readers grasp not just what Git does, but why it works the way it does.
The visual storytelling method makes complex topics like staging, branching, merging, and rebasing approachable and even enjoyable. The use of fictional projects and relatable analogies helps bridge the gap between theory and practical application. While advanced Git users may find the content too elementary, the book serves its intended audience well: those who are new to version control and want a solid, confident foundation.
Another strength of the book is its accessibility. It is written in plain language, free from unnecessary jargon, making it suitable for designers, data analysts, writers, and coding bootcamp students. By the end of the book, readers will not only know how to use Git effectively but will also have the confidence to explore more advanced workflows on their own.
In short, Learning Git is more than a technical manual—it’s a friendly, engaging learning companion. Whether you’re collaborating on code, managing content, or just curious about how Git works, this book is an excellent first step into the world of version control.