Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: Good for reading and reference
Comment: I am pleased with this book. I read about half of the way through it and then decided to keep it close by as a reference guide. As a reading guide to 'Learning Python' it can get a little monotonous. This really isn't the author's fault, who shows a slight, persistent but non-distracting humor. I think some monotony is inherent in learning any programming language - 1) here is "Concept A," 2) here is how/why "Concept A" is implemented in general, 3) here are some particulars to keep in mind when implementing "Concept A", 4) here are the myriad of variable methods of implementation. This book covers mostly the 1 through 3 ideas above and leaves most of idea 4 for more advanced books or reference material. The author does a good job of managing content. There are places that give an overview and state that more detail is ahead, but the instance where a concept or implementation is initially mentioned and the degree to which it is described is adequate for the current context. The 'more detail' that eventually comes along then fits nicely into its own 'more detailed' context. In other words, I didn't feel like I had to jump forward 5 chapters to understand one aspect of the current chapter. What the book lacks, or blissfully does not include, is any lengthy code constructions (this can be good, bad, or mean nothing, depending on your learning style and requirements). "Python Programming, An Intro to Computer Science" is a bit more engaging but, ultimately, is not as verbose or specific where needed. I read through allot of books and actually see these two as worthy complements. I also use Python Programming, Python Essential Reference, Python in a Nutshell and Python Cookbook as supplemental references. Sometimes I am looking for an overview of a concept, just an example of code syntax, all the options available for implementing a construct, or how someone else approached a common problem, etc. Each book has its time and place. I tend to use Learning Python for the overview with some examples and consider it a useful companion to the online and other reference materials.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Much better than previous editions
Comment: I bought an earlier incarnation of this title a year or two ago and sent it back immediately. I was pretty wary of making the same mistake twice, but I'm happy to say that this 3rd edition is a significant improvement. I have a feeling it's a bit too obtuse for those who are new to programming in general, but if you've been at it for a while and simply need to pick up the various and less commonly used features of the language, it's a fine introductory text. It even highlights some of the upcoming changes in Python 3; not necessarily in any meaningful way, but it gives you enough information to future-proof your code as much as possible so as to make porting easier.
Unfortunately it is riddled with tragically unfunny Monty Python catchphrases you probably got tired of hearing 20 years ago. I can't wait for someone to create a language named "Rick James" or "What" so we can go on hearing Chappelle's Show quotes regurgitated ad nauseum.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners
Comment: I admit i haven't finished the book yet, but i'll give my impressions here. The book is a great source for beginners. If the reader is a experienced programmer on other languages, the first part is somehow a bit of waste of time. It takes a time before the book asks you for doing real code, and for the impatient this is a real draw back. But if it is your first contact with languages like Python or Perl, this is a good book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Written by the world leader in Python training
Comment: Mark Lutz's LEARNING PYTHON, 3RD EDITION covers the latest edition of Python and includes tips on the program's built-in object types, statements, functions, modules, exceptions and more. College-level collections strong in programming languages in general and Python in particular will appreciate the coverage, written by the world leader in Python training and author of many previous writings on Python since 1992.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Learning Python, 3rd Edition
Comment: This book is a very good starting point for new Python users. It is direct and easy to follow. I was happy to see that the 3rd edition was in print dealing with the latest 2.5 version of Python.
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