Python Crash Course, 3rd Edition: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming

This is without a doubt the best introduction to any programming language you will find. This book takes a hands on approach to learning Python. Concepts are explained clearly and examples and counter-examples are littered throughout each chapters. I like the direct/no waste time with useless preamble approach to explaining key concepts. The explanations are as succinct as it can get. The writer give general advice like not making your solution too generic initially but focus on solving the problem at hand first and then make the code more elaborate. The writer give off a patient tone as he encourages the reader to not be too hard on themselves when they make mistakes but view this as part of the learning process. He gives his own experience and also that of other programmers to encourage the reader to realistically evaluate their circumstances. What I like most about this book is that the exercises are intersperced between the sections within the chapters. That way you get to practice just after learning a new concept. There are final exercises incorporating what was covered in the chapter, the they do not seem to be a summary of all the content. I am reviewing now 23/02/2025. I have read the first 9 chapters and i am currently on chapter 10. When I am done i will update this review. I use Jupter Notebooks to complete exercises. I head the first cell with the problem number and title and set it as a mark-down cell so it heads that mini section and the code window below contains my solution. That way I have all exercises for a chapter in one file and can easily scroll up to see previous solutions and copy code which the problems requests at times. In the end I envisage I will have 20 files - one per chapter.

simple to understand, good examples

Great book! I really like how the instructions are explained in the book and how it encourages you to both use the terminal / python interpreter and make files in vscode. This book can be used for intermediate python programmers and brand new programs. for the intermediate people, its a good refresher of the basics, and by the end you will definitely KNOW, KNOW them. I got this book in prep for new grad job applications, code assessments, game jams, and general practice. So I think you would do good to get this book at any level if you really want to get the basics down and know them!

I bought 5 Python books as I needed to learn the language quickly for an upcoming project. Of all the books that I purchased, I found this one to be the best. It starts out with the basics and works its way through more complicated areas. Each chapter builds well upon the other. There is very little redundancy, and I was able to get through the book in about a week. I have a background in software development, so this book was able to show me how Python implements different concepts that I already knew, but I think a beginner would also be comfortable with the material.

Good book and easy to follow. Progression is well paced

I was so grateful for this book's excellence that I opened the Amazon website during my break to write a review. I wanted to brush up on my skills before taking my first Python class in the fall, so I was looking for a beginner's book I could study on my own over the summer. Since I had no coding experience, I needed a book that explained even the smallest details step-by-step. I've been studying with the goal of completing two chapters a week since August. I'm currently on Chapter 8, and it's been so much fun! Honestly, I never thought I would enjoy studying this much. I spent two days on practice problem 8-8 (though I spent most of the time lying on the couch screaming, "Why can't I do this?" than actually solving the problem). However, after some time, I reconsidered and re-tested the problem, and today, on the third day, I finally figured out what the issue was! I resisted the urge to ask AI or look at the GitHub code the author had posted. Instead, I solely relied on the book to solve the problem. The information in the book was more than enough. I'm proud of myself! If you're a beginner like me and just starting out with Python, I highly recommend this book! It seems unlikely I'll be able to finish all the remaining chapters and projects before the fall semester, but I'd like to take the time over the weekend to finish this book if possible. I have no doubt that the detailed, helpful explanations and systematic practice problems will help me solidify my fundamental Python coding skills.

The best guide for anyone who want to learn python efficiently and quickly

It's a simple, easy-to-use guide for learning Python programming.

I've read it all and completed all the exercises, so I can say it's amazing! The content is great for learning Python from scratch. The explanations are very good, everything is well explained step by step. The quality of the printing and the paper is very good.

Awesome

Libro splendido, chiaro e ricco di esempi

¡Buenísimo para aprender a programar mientras pulo mi inglés! Vendedor y producto recomendado a toda la comunidad de Amazon.

This has been a really strong textbook for starting Python from scratch, especially if you’re worried about coding books being dry or intimidating. Concepts are introduced clearly and built up step by step, with examples and exercises that actually make sense rather than assuming prior knowledge. What really stood out for me is how approachable it is. Instead of long, abstract explanations, it focuses on practical examples and small projects, so you can see immediately how things work and why they matter. It feels structured without being overwhelming, and it’s easy to dip back into specific sections when you need a refresher. If you’re new to Python and want something that teaches properly without sucking the joy out of learning, this does a very good job of striking that balance. It’s informative, well paced, and genuinely engaging.