Are Cybersecurity Books Still Relevant in 2026? Seeking Pentesting and Bug Bounty Roadmap

A beginner in cybersecurity with a Civil Engineering background and experience in backend development and data science seeks advice on whether 12 listed cybersecurity books (e.g., The Web Application Hacker’s Handbook, Black Hat Python, Hacking: The Art of Exploitation) remain relevant in 2026. They aim to build foundational knowledge in web application security, penetration testing, and bug bounty hunting, emphasizing hands-on learning over memorization. The user also asks for a structured roadmap, including fundamentals to master (networking, Linux, programming) and when to start CTFs or bug bounty programs.