The books on this page are all general introductions to the Python language. Most of these books will contain a few chapters on particular applications such as GUI interfaces or Web programming, but won't go into great detail on any one topic; refer to the PythonBooks page for lists of application-specific books. Experienced programmers who prefer a brief and condensed introduction should look at the list of ReferenceBooks.

Learning Python, Mark Lutz, David Ascher, ISBN: 1565924649, O'Reilly & Associates, 300 pages (April 1998)

Learning Python is meant for true beginners, and others seeking a quick introduction to the language. It focuses on the core language, and includes numerous exercises with solutions, to guide the reader through a hands- on learning experience.

[http://rmi.net/~lutz/about-lp.html Home page] [http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/lpython/chapter/ Sample chapters] [http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue66/3541.html Review by Phil Hughes in Linux Journal]

The Quick Python Book, Daryl Harms, Kenneth McDonald, ISBN: 1884777740, Manning Publications, 275 pages (October 1999)

A clear and concise description of Python aimed at readers who are already familiar with programming in at least one other language.

[http://www.manning.com/Harms/Chapters.html Two sample chapters] [http://www.accu.org/bookreviews/public/reviews/q/q002082.htm Review by Francis Glassborow in _C Vu_] [http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue73/3851.html Review by Phil Hughes] [http://www.amk.ca/python/books/qpb.html Review by AMK]

Learn to Program Using Python, Alan Gauld, ISBN: 0201709384, Addison-Wesley, 270 pages (December, 2000)

This book teaches programming for true beginners using Python as the teaching language. It started as a popular Web tutorial, and been expanded into a complete book.

Programming Python (Second Edition), Mark Lutz, ISBN: 0596000855, O'Reilly & Associates, 1292 pages (March, 2001)

A massive volume, updated to cover Python 2.0. The first edition was the second Python book to be published.

[http://www.python.org/doc/essays/foreword.html Foreword by Guido van Rossum] [http://www.ercb.com/ddj/1997/ddj.9711.html Review of the first edition by Greg Wilson] [http://www.usenix.org/publications/login/1998-4/python.html Review of the first edition by Terry Rooker in ;login:] [http://dannyreviews.com/h/Python.html Review of the first edition by Danny Yee]

Python Pocket Reference, Mark Lutz, ISBN: 1565925009, O'Reilly & Associates, 75 pages (November, 1998)

This handy reference guide summarizes Python statements, built-in functions, escape and formatting codes, and other prominent Python language features.

Python Standard Library with CDROM, Fredrik Lundh, ISBN: 0596000960, O'Reilly & Associates, 250 pages (February 2001)

Core Python Programming, Wesley J. Chun, ISBN: 0130260363, Prentice Hall, 500 pages (November 2000)

From an anonymous reviewer: "Very well written. It is the clearest, friendliest book I have come across yet for explaining Python, and putting it in a wider context. It does not presume a large amount of other experience. It may be too slow for more advanced people, but it does go into some important Python topics carefully and in depth. Unlike too many beginner books, it never condescends or tortures the reader with childish hide-and-seek prose games. Not too many in-depth real-world examples in the book [hopefully he will do a followup volume], it sticks to gaining a solid grasp of Python syntax and structure."

Web Programming in Python: Techniques for Integrating Linux, Apache, and MySQL, George K. Thiruvathukal, John Shafaee and Thomas Christopher, ISBN: 0130410659, Prentice Hall, 450 pages (October 2001)

The book has introductory chapters on Python, networking, Apache, Linux, and MySQL. It is a self- contained reference to Python and open-source programming that makes use of Python to develop real applications that are also available under an open source license.

Programming With Python, Tim Altom with Mitch Chapman, ISBN: 0761523340, Prima Publishing, (October 1999)

[http://www2.linuxjournal.com/lj-issues/issue73/3851.html Review by Phil Hughes in Linux Journal] [http://lists.tummy.com/pipermail/frpythoneers/2000-June/000085.html Review by Cary Miller]

Python Developer's Handbook, Andre Lessa, ISBN: 0672319942, Sams, 600 pages (December 2000)

Python Annotated Archives, Martin Brown, ISBN: 0072121041, McGraw-Hill, September 1999