Reviews for Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner

1. Perfect introduction to Python and programming.

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, April 12th, 2010

   Growing up in the seventies and eighties, (when not breaking Rubik's cubes or trudging my Luke Skywalker figure through mountains of flour!) I used to sit for hours typing BASIC from magazines and books into various home computers (Dragon, Speccy, Commodore). Ah, that feeling: getting the latest copy of Input or C&VG and scooting through it in hope there'd be something interesting to program (there never was; other than the odd Space Invaders or Quest clone, the only other program that sits in my mind (or rather haunts the timbers of my soul like a long ghastly scar) is when I spent hours typing what looked to be an amazing game, only, when I finally typed run, to be rewarded with the words "April Fool"!...)
   
   I've since tried programming in Visual and Real Basic, and also tried learning Python from another book -- though something didn't click. After reading Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, though, everything just seemed to click into place and (bad April jokes aside) the memories came flooding back. It was a joy to read and Python a joy to use, and I now feel as confident using this as I used to in BASIC.
   
   The book is a series of guided lessons (one per chapter), which take you through the components of Python (basic stuff like variables, loops, strings, dictionaries; and also onto the more advanced things like Object Orientated programming, GUI's and sprites). Each chapter is well structured and intuitive to read. The writing style is humorous, forgiving and basic, but not dumbed down enough as to be patronising. I found it to be one of the easiest books I have read on programming and it's given me a good enough introduction to be able to do the kind of things I wanted to (code simple little games the way I used to).
   
   Python itself seems to be a simple enough language to pick up. It shares a lot of keywords and functions with BASIC so anyone with my sort of experience will feel right at home. If you've no experience, then don't worry: this book is so simple and well paced that you shouldn't have much trouble understanding the lessons and picking up the basics of programming. It's not the sort of book that is going to teach you how to program anything complex, but it is the sort of book that will enable you to be able to move on to the more complicated stuff without being baffled. Very practical and understandable. Enjoy.

2. Excellent book, does what it says on the tin...

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, January 12th, 2010

   Really good introduction to programming. Been trying for years to get into programming.
   Always started then stopped without much success.
   Friend recomended starting with Python, so bought this book to give it a go.
   
   Brilliant, clearly written, nice examples, easy to work through. Exercises at end of chapter to test what you have just read, and enforce your understanding.
   
   Would most certainly recommend.

3. Absolutely perfect.

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, April 12nd, 2008

   This book was my last desperate attempt at learning to program in Python. I was on the verge of giving up. I'd tried the famous O'Reilly 'Learning Python' and several other (expensive!) texts, and even when they claimed to be for absolute beginners... well, it just wasn't true!
   
   Either they started off with a few easy chapters then made a quantum leap into the realms of impossible difficulty; or they listed page after page of dull, sleep-inducing instructions to learn - without offering any hints on why the instructions might, one day, actually be useful.
   
   Then, as a last resort, I bought this wonderful book. I thought I might be making another mistake, because the book has been criticised by some people as being TOO basic. But 'too basic' sounded like it might be exactly what I needed.
   
   Really, I can't recommend this book highly enough to those who are new to programming and Python. The author should get some sort of award, because he actually makes this stuff FUN to learn - I can't say that about any of the other books I tried.
   
   It's fun, and it's not even dumbed-down. You'll learn just about everything you need to know, and have a great time in the process. Every chapter is brimming over with 'hands on' examples, and ends with exercises that are challenging without being impossible. As you go along you'll write and tinker with a series of games, all the way from simple 'guess the number' stuff to flashy looking arcade-type games.
   
   If you're new to Python and programming, this is THE book to buy. Nothing else even comes close.

4. Superb All Round

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, September 12th, 2006

   I cannot recommend this book highly enough - it delivers just the right amount of information for a beginner program - I never felt lost but I never lost interest.
   
   I believe it would be of use to complete programming novices and experienced programmers looking to get a quick look at python.
   
   The examples are well thought out easy to follow and interesting.

5. Python for the absolute beginner

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, January 12th, 2005

   An excellent book for anyone new to the concept of programming although would probably be inappropriate for experienced programmers. Each step is very clearly explained and makes good use of examples in a fun and light hearted manner (won't send you to sleep like some).