Customer Rating: 
Summary: A great intro to Python
Comment: Even after the recent introduction of dozen or so python books in the last few months, Learning Python still remains one of the best, if not the best, resources to start learning about Python. I owned this book for a period of a year and a half after my introduction to Python. During most of that time, I often referred back to it, and I can say that this book was indespensible during that early period of Python features experimentation.This brings up a good point: the intended audience for this book are people who are just starting out with Python. If you are already familiar with Python, and have a year or so of experience under your belt, try Python in a Nutshell, Text Processing in Python and the excellent reference book: Python Essential Reference.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Dabbled before? Now make a go of it!
Comment: As a infrequent programmer, I've read about and studied other languages (C, Java) but found them too complex to master. The simplicity and power of Python, combined with this clear well-written book, made it possible to learn and start using Python right away. I read and worked through the (platform agnostic) examples on my Windows PC and quickly grasped the information being presented. This book makes occasional comparisons with other programming languages so that experienced programmers don't trip over the knowledge they already have. These comparisons don't get in the way of a first time learner. Well done!!!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Who is the target audience for this book?
Comment: I first purchased this book nearly two years ago, but I never got past the first few chapters.I just picked this book up again, with the benefit of two years' experience programming in PHP and a little but of Java, and I realize why working through this book seemed like such slow going the first time around. On the one hand, "Learning Python" is written with a lot of hand-holding for readers who may not have much programming experience at all with any other languages; the basic concepts of variables, statements, functions, data types and the like are all clearly explained, which is a good thing for someone just starting out. On the other hand, there are also quite a few tips and bits of information about memory efficiency, or how certain elements of Python relate to their C underpinnings; things that a rank newbie probably won't understand, and probably doesn't need to know when they're just trying to learn the basics. These esoteric points are probably quite helpful/interesting for programmers coming from low level languages like C, but those programmers will be frustrated by the slow page of the sections covering basic mechanics. So you've got a book that moves at a beginners' pace that's full of asides targeted towards experienced programmers; beginners will be confused and overwhelmed, and experienced coders will just get frustrated. For what it's worth, I have the first edition of this book; I'm not sure how the second edition compares.
Customer Rating:
Summary: You'll love Python
Comment: I debated whether I should write seven pages, footnoted, indexed, and full of examples on why you should not buy this book and choose to seek another source for learning Python. But if you're the type who would actually make it through all that to get to the main point, you might actually LIKE "Learning Python". I'd rather save you, the save-able, from experiencing the same pain that I am going through right now. So here is my one-word review: "Excruciating". I hope this has been helpful. By the way, Python is fantastic and is ironically everything that this book is not.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great orientation.
Comment: This book is a great quick introduction to Python. And don't be fooled, this book DOES deal with some subtly advanced topics. Great job, I recommend it everywhere!
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