Nutshell is rather dry reading and provides very little of the usual user-friendly introductions to language features by solving simple problems.
Doesn't sound like that much of an endorsement, does it?
Nevertheless, of my 6 or 7 Python books, (2 or 3 are generalist, rather than specialized), this is the only one I use regularly after 9 yrs of using Python.
What Python in a Nutshell is really good at is showing you exactly what Python is capable of doing, feature by feature, in a thoroughly Pythonic way for the feature. With code and exact implication. For example, I know Python well but I am kinda lacking in metaclass comprehension. If I were to write some non-trivial meta-classes I would surely have its 3 or 4 pages open on my desk as I write code and skim through other internet postings. Those 3-4 pages have kinda made my brain shrivel every time I've looked at them, but they are the clearest overview I've seen of what is probably one of the hardest Python features to understand.
For normal, easy-to-understand Python, Nutshell really dissects the languages with new insight. The information is dense, because each word has its place and there is very little filler. That's why skimming it does not work for me, I just don't have the requisite sustained attention span.
Online docs? Again, this aims to distill Python's deeper implications. You won't find that in the basic online docs. You may find some equivalent, or perhaps better, explanations of specific features, say Python meta-classes, online by looking around in blogs and articles. But you will have to look around for a long while and you will likely encounter a bunch of less informative, or perhaps erroneous, stuff along the way.
Python has a very easy learning curve, but it also has a whole lot of layers if you want to use it in the most efficient/natural manner. This is the book you want to help you dig. The surface, introductory aspects of Python are not well served by this book. Normal reference books are already not ideal for learning languages/systems, but its nature makes Nutshell an even worse choice. In fact, unlike some other reviewers, I would not at all recommend getting it to get acquainted with Python, unless you truly are a gifted programmer.
Minor criticisms:
The index could be improved a bit. For example, built-in functions are not listed directly: even an experienced coder might not know to look for 'getattr' or 'zip' under builtins. 2nd edition: the logging module's coverage is a bit trivial/weak, as was that of decorators. Both are subjects that would have greatly benefited from more of Alex's insights.
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2007
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Top reviews from other countries
- C. C. WilliamsReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 2, 2003
A masterpiece of style and economy
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Gottfried FialaReviewed in Germany on January 11, 2016
Gillt für alle gekaufte Artikel
- ruffrecordsReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 17, 2016
The excellent writing style easily coveys the unique elegance of Python
