Hands-On Large Language Models versus Prompt Engineering for Generative AI.
Both show up on every "best" list. They're not competitors. They're a sequence. Here's which one to read first, and when.
Reviewed by Ashish Sheth · Updated May 2026
Author
Jay Alammar, Maarten Grootendorst
James Phoenix, Mike Taylor
Pages
425
422
Published
2024
2024
Publisher
O'Reilly Media
O'Reilly Media
Level
beginner to intermediate
beginner to intermediate
Amazon Rating
4.5/5 (392)
4.5/5 (132)
Goodreads Rating
4.29/5 (254)
3.64/5 (144)
Hands-On Large Language Models
Strengths
+ 275+ custom diagrams make abstract concepts visual and intuitive
+ Accessible to beginners without prior PyTorch/TensorFlow knowledge
+ Practical code examples covering real use cases like semantic search and RAG
+ Well-structured progression from foundations to advanced techniques
Caveats
− Limited depth on transformer internals despite the author's blog reputation
− Image generation sections lack clarity
− May be too introductory for experienced ML practitioners
Prompt Engineering for Generative AI
Strengths
+ Covers both text and image generation in one book
+ Good entry point for developers completely new to prompt engineering
+ The five principles framework provides a structured starting point
+ Practical and project-oriented approach
Caveats
− Heavy reliance on specific tools (LangChain, etc.) that date quickly
− Reads more like assembled blog posts than a cohesive narrative
− Tutorial-style code that ages fast as APIs change
− Breadth over depth on most topics
The verdict
Hands-On Large Language Models is the stronger pick overall, but Prompt Engineering for Generative AI may suit you better if you're a developers new to generative AI.
Hands-On Large Language Models
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Prompt Engineering for Generative AI
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Frequently asked
Which is better, Hands-On Large Language Models or Prompt Engineering for Generative AI?
Hands-On Large Language Models is the stronger pick overall, but Prompt Engineering for Generative AI may suit you better if you're a developers new to generative AI.
Is Hands-On Large Language Models good for beginners?
Yes, it's one of the most beginner-friendly LLM books available. No PyTorch or TensorFlow experience needed. The 275+ diagrams carry a lot of the explanation load.
Does this cover image generation too?
Yes. About a third of the book covers image generation with Midjourney and Stable Diffusion. Most other prompt engineering books focus only on text.