Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book for programmers wanting to pick up Python
Review: We were instructed to use python for a Junior level programming project at the University of Kansas. So, that gave us a semester in which to learn the language AND complete the project.The first book I picked up was Learning Python, which although targeted more towards first-time programmers, didn't really meet my needs of a source that would provide rapid instruction. Python: Essential Ref to the rescue! If you've programmed in other languages before, you probably don't really need 20 pages explaing the value of "control statements" or applications using "for" loops. Beazley's book lays down syntax, covers some of the more obscure "features" of the language, and gets you writing Python quickly. Once we picked up the language, it was the only book we kept around because it also filled the role of reference manual. My one complaint in this area was that for some reason we happen to use a few of the modules that are not outlined in the book. They're included in the section "Undocumented Modules". This shouldn't get in your way too much, most of the excluded modules are either obsolete, too obscure, or too specialized. Buy whatever books you feel like, or just save yourself the trouble and get this one. BTW, although totally irrelevant, it also has one of the most convenient form factors. Important if you carry a lot of books around. :) Oh, and we finished the project..... in case anyone was worried about me.
Rating:
Summary: The reference I was looking for
Review: I'm using Python/Perl/Tcl mostly (not only) for administrative tasks in the UNIX environment. For that I need books which quickly tell me which methods there are, or what data juggling can be done how with a particular language. For Python I found that now in this great Reference.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful reference for a wonderful programming language
Review: I'm not sure how much of my enthusiam for this book stems from the fact that Python is just such a great PL, but regardless, I would highly recommend it. The overview of the language given in the first 80 pages is easy to read, and (at least I found it to be) very complete. The following API descriptions are extremely clear and concise, which is what makes this book such a great reference.
Rating:
Summary: Must Have
Review: This is a must have book whether you are an experienced programmer or a novice. For the experienced, it is the essential reference and all you need to begin programming Python immediately. For the novice programmer, it will be the essential reference in addition to one of the "learning" or "how to" books. I started with "Learning Python" but put it down half-way through after picking this book up. It's well-organized, a great size and layout, and easy to read. It has the essential information. One more comment: I'm very impressed with this series of books from New Riders. It seems to me that someone there must have decided to take O'Reilly's idea and go one step farther. These books (I've used 2 others) are not only well-written, but the type, size of text, paper and covers are all of higher quality and style than the O'Reilly books. They are my new favorites. Looks like O'Reilly has competition!
Rating: 
Summary: Okay as far as it goes
Review: I've just started looking at this book, so I'll give it the benefit of a doubt, based on everyone else's opinions, but.... I'm interested in the use of Python as an embedded scripting language for 3d games. After a few initial experiments with Python 1.52, I decided to spend actual money on a copy of "Python: Essential Reference". I quickly looked up the subject of embedment in the index, and found----virtually nothing of any measurable worth; about a page of general commentary and tabular references, completely innocent of explanation or example source. To quote, for example: "...on Unix, you must include the file config.c...(a comparable but more complex process is required on Windows...)..." (Guess which O/S I'm working with.) To say that this is extremely disappointing is a polite understatement. I have the distinct impression that someone met their page quota from the publisher before they got to my area of interest. JJ Robinson II
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference
Review: Firstly, ignore the review by Mr. Leopold. Despite the fact that that book is not intended as an introduction to the Python language, and mind you, this is stated repeatedly within the foreward and introduction, he seems to insist on treating it as such. Further, he can't seem to decide if he's reviewing the language or the book... All in all, a very poorly written review. In any case, this is an excellent reference manual, suitable for Python hackers of all experience levels aside from complete newbie. As the sort that hates having a web browser open to sift through documentation, this reference is a godsend. The information presented is often terse, but quite clear. The first 86 pages are a handy reference for the language itself. Being fairly familiar with Python already, I only skimmed over this section, but it seemed nicely organized. The next big chunk of the book, the library reference, is nicely done as well. The modules are organized into sections based on general function (Math, OS Services). Each module name is listed in bold, and is followed by a quick list of platforms it is available on and a short description. After that, the authors rattle off the relevant details (classes, functions, variables, and so on) for each module. The classes and functions generally get the bold header with short paragraph description treatment. Everything else is typically listed in tables. This approach works surprisingly well, and though there are some cases where modules with large numbers of functions have them listed in a table, this is only done when it makes sense. A good example of this would be the math module, and its many (not surprisingly) math related functions such as sin, sqrt, and log. All this is often followed with short examples, as well as a notes section that I have found surprisingly useful. The debugger and profiler are listed towards the end of the library section, and he does go into a bit more detail on those. Still, like the rest of the book, the sections on the debugger and profiler are intended only as a reference. I seem to remember the web pages having a short but helpful tutorial on using pdb and the profiler. Beginning and intermediate Python programmers will probably want to get started there. He wraps up the book with a section on extending and embedding the language. This is not of particular interest to me, and I have only skimmed the section, but it seems to be fairly complete based on what (little) I know about the process. Finally, we have the index. It maintains the level of quality established earlier in the book; I have, thusfar, had no problems finding what I was looking for. The index clearly lists each entry as a function, method, module, and so on. Clocking in at over 40 pages, it certainly does not lack due to a short length either. If you want to learn Python, this isn't the book to do it with, though you'll certainly want to pick it up after you've gotten hold of the basics. If you've already got some experience with the language, I recommend it whole-heartedly.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for reference
Review: This book is great as a reference book. It goes over mostly of the Python library API using examples different from Python's on-line (<b>free</b>) reference. It will be a terrible book for someone who has little computer language background because it goes through most concepts in a fast and brief pace. It is great, however, for experience programmers to learn python in the shortest amount of time as possible. The only thing that bothers me is that the author used "A", "U", "M", and "W" for platform availability for "All", "Unix", "Mac", and "Windows" respectively. I think I can remember this right now, but why can't he spell it out in case I ever forget? There are plenty of blank rooms for it within the page.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent reference for the Python hacker.
Review: Dave Beazley's done the Python community a huge service by condensing and extending the Python online documentation into a concise, readable and easily portable format. There is simply no other book on the market that comes close--and certainly not the abominable Programming Python. This book will help you in whatever hacking you're doing with Python--and there's a really nice section on extending and embedding Python. I've already been more than repaid by this title. Forget what Peter Leopold (Amazon.com's review) so pretentiously says. The whole point of this beautiful baby is that it gives you the essential information and not the hernia of evangelizing that books like Programming Python do. If Richard Stevens had written a book on Python, it would have looked a lot like Dave Beazley's.
Rating:
Summary: Model programmer's reference for a clean, practical language
Review: This excellent reference concisely covers the Python language and libraries. It is a model of what a reference should be: well-produced, tightly written, comprehensive without covering the obsolete or arcane. I even like the small type face. Peter Leopold's pompous 'official' review is off the mark in a variety of ways. For instance, the reason there aren't comparisons to other languages is precisely that this is _reference_, not advocacy or tutorial. Leopold's ill-tempered criticisms of the language itself are hardly relevant to the quality of the book; they also happen to be incorrect. Python _does_ support bytecode-only distribution. Python _is not_ a cleansed version of Perl. Python _is not_ only for quick and dirty projects. Python _does_ provide the abstraction mechanisms and libraries to solve serious problems in a maintainable way, as long as execution efficiency isn't paramount.
Rating:
Summary: A most wonderful Python reference!
Review: A most wonderful Python reference in 319 pages
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