As I noted in an earlier post, I've been teaching myself to program in Python. I'd originally expressed only disdain for Python, on the grounds that a real programming language wouldn't rely on spacing as a scoping mechanism. I was wrong.It took a while for me to realize that I was wrong. It takes a while to overcome the prejudices of being a long-time C programmer. I really like Python now, even more than Perl.
So to this book: you'd expect that as a reference guide it would be something I'd refer to while programming yet not really read cover to cover. Sort of a small version of the snake book (see my post on Python in a Nutshell). But really, it is both. A reference and a cover-to-cover read.
I picked this up on a whim while shopping at Borders and I'm glad I did. It isn't a complete method for learning Python (but then again, neither is a purported learning book like Learning Python - yuck - for which my negative post will come later). But it is a darned good start, a light read, and a great approach. Phrases of programming are a perfect metaphor.
