Python Programming Books

The best Python books for learning how to program

These are, from our point of view, the best books for learning how to program in Python. Some of them are Python Programming books for beginners. Some of these books will get you from that beginner level to advanced/expert in Python Programming, but none of them speak at all about Machine Learning or Data Science.

However, before going into these more scientific topics it is strongly recommended that you become fluent with the most used programming language for Data Analysis and manipulation. To do so, check out this awesome list of the best Python books for beginners, and also some more advanced texts that will make you become a master of the Python Programming Language.

Python Book Reviews

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

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Automate the boring stuff with Python is an awesome book for learning how to program in this amazing language. This books serves as an introduction to Python, for those that like seeing results quickly, and that are looking for great Python projects for beginners.

For some people the fastest way to become proficient at something is by actually doing it. If you are one of those doers, and you are looking to learn Python, this is the book for you. Read the full article.


Learning Python by Mark Lutz

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Learning Python is an easy to follow and practical book that will teach anyone with basic programming knowledge all the main concepts of python. It is an introduction to python that covers all the theoretical concepts very well, and gets you coding along, but that doesn’t have as many projects as other books like Automate the boring stuff with Python.

However, it will probably give you a more solid foundation of the main concepts of the language, and is a great resource to learn Python Programming. Full of quizzes and exercises, this self-paced book will get you writing efficient and high-quality python code. Read the full article.


Python Crash Course

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Python Crash Course is one of the best selling Python books of all time. It is an straightforward and easy to follow introduction to the core of Python programming. If you are a beginner who is looking to get programming quickly, this is your book. In no time you will be coding awesome programs that will make you feel proud. Read the full article.


The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python

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The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Python is an outstanding guide to reach Python expertise for those who already know how to program in Python. It won’t teach you how to program from a beginner level, or teach you advanced python techniques for programming.

However, it compiles a vast amount of information on how and where to use Python, along with the best available tools to use in different contexts, how to improve your coding style, and how to set up and understand all that surrounds the language (IDE, packages, debugging and documenting). Read the full review.

Also The Hitchhiker’s guide to Python is freely available here.


Fluent Python

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Fluent Python: Clear, concise and effective programming is a book for medium level Python Programmers that are looking to skyrocket their practice and become a master Pythonists.

With this hands-on guide, you will learn powerful, idiomatic and probably unseen Python code that will take you from beginner/mid level knowledge of the language to complete expert. Read the full review here.


Python 3 Object-Oriented Programming

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Python 3 Object Oriented programming is a book that will teach you what OOP is all about, and specific design patterns for the Python language. With it, you will learn OOPs concepts in Python with examples, and awesome case studies, while learning additional material like regular expressions, concurrency, and a good bunch of awesome design patterns. Read the full review here!


Effective Computation in Physics

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Effective computation in Physics is a book that despite its name, has the goal of teaching not only physicists, but also engineers, economists, or anybody that needs to build a solid Computer Science foundation the computational aspects of their works, and improve their relationship with computing, while aiming to get its readers started with Data Analysis and efficient programming in Python.

It is an amazing book that has a misleading name, and that would definitely recommend to anybody that is looking to enter the world of Software Development. Read the review here!


Think Python: How to think like a Computer Scientist

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Think Python: How to Think Like a Computer Scientist is one of the greatest books for learning how to program in Python for people that want to get into software development in the market.  It can be freely found on PDF too like other books from The Green Tea Press.

This hands-on guide takes you through the language a step at a time, beginning with basic programming concepts before moving on to functions, recursion, data structures, and object-oriented design, and finishing software development topics like debugging, program development, basic algorithms, and algorithmic complexity. Check out the review here!


Architecture Patterns in Python

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Architecture Patterns with Python is the bridge between those who know how to program in Python, and those who know who to develop professional software with it.

The text guides you through high level software design patterns like hexagonal or clean architecture, event driven architecture, domain driven design, and test driven design in Python, using a ton of code and practical examples. It will take you from programmer to software developer in Python using clear cut, concise and to the point examples and explanations. Definitely a worth buy if you want to notch-up your developing skills. Read the full review here.


Python from the Very Beginning

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In Python from the very beginning John Whitington takes a no-prerequisites approach to teaching complete beginners about this great, general-purpose programming language. We think it is a great text for starting from scratch, as the chapters are small, self-contained, and very well written.

It is a very easy to read and friendly book, that is also incredibly practical with more than 100 exercises that are solved and commented. We definitely recommend it for those that are looking to start their Python journey. Read on the full review here!


Python Pocket Reference

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Python Pocket Reference  is a fantastic little book that should always be resting in the desk where you work in case you need it. It contains concise, fundamental information about python types and statements, special method names, built-in functions and exceptions, commonly used standard library modules, and other very much used Python tools.

Take into account it is not a book for learning how to program in Python, but rather a book to look for the answer to very specific questions. Find more about it in the full review!


To complement these books, you can find awesome reviews for different python programming online courses here. There are Python for beginners courses: the best Coursera Python MOOCs, Khan academy python courses, Udemy Python beginner material, and a many other great resources to learn Python online!

Lastly, check out the following list of the best Python programming books on Amazon. If you read any of them that we have not reviewed, and you want to contribute, feel free to email us at howtolearnmachinelearning@gmail.com!

Thanks for reading How to learn Machine learning, have a fantastic day!

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