The Open Source Zone

I am learning Python in order to make computer games so the examples in this book are exactly what I was looking for. I'm about half way through the book and I'm amazed at how quickly and painlessly the learning is going. I'm planning to get the author's C++ book too as soon as I'm able. I only hope he writes more advanced books!

The only prior programming I had before this book was that of using SQL (very simple compared to `regular' languages since it's a query language).

I'm basically going to repeat what everyone else has said, saying that it is very easy to read through and it's also easy to pick through the language to understand EXACTLY what is going on. I have always been afraid to delve into programming because of the immense math etc. and the fact of having no "wading pool" to get my feet wet safely, but this book is not mind boggling at all. For one who doesn't know anything about scripting, etc. this is great!

I would assume it's good for any beginning programmer, regardless of what language they are looking to specialize in. Also for anyone who uses ESRI ArcGIS products, this is definitely a must if you wish to use their scripting methods for geocoding/processing, etc. (unless you choose VB). After only reading through the first four chapters I found that running scripts with tools in ArcGIS is easily understandable now.

This is a great way to get started in python, but you're definitely gonna need a follow up book if you want to get real work done. Still it covers the basics very well. I really enjoyed how it was very game focused. I wouldn't call this a game programming book, but the fact that all the examples were games made it more interesting and fun to work through to the end. I would have been much happier if the book delved into the topic of Pygame more thoroughly instead of teaching the readers a little used wrapper for it. Still it was a great introduction and it provided me with a good foundation to start from.

Years ago I wanted to learn programming, but all the books about programming were as interesting as my math school books so I lost the will to learn until I saw this book. I couldn't put it away!
It's fun, interesting, and you will be up all night and coding like mad in very short time!
If you want to learn how to program get this book. Don't even look at the others, get this one!
The best programming book for beginners!

I learned Python in three months using this book. I don't usually post reviews but felt the need to do so because of another reviewer's claim that this book is only for windows users. The cd that comes with this book is unfortunately for windows users but the chapter lessons and challenges work for any operating system. In fact, I used this book exclusively under linux and OS X.