After reading a few reviews on what was the best book to learn python, I decided to try out Dive Into Python 3. I however came to the realization, after my purchase, that buying(as this book can also be downloaded free) was a mistake.



Arriving at my door step early in the morning I hurriedly opened the package to "Dive" into it. Firstly, I noticed that the review that stated the book was an exact replica of the PDF version was not joke. The book is littered with many underlined phrases that, on a computer, would surely skip you to a informative webpage or future chapter. No problem, I skip the introduction and go for the meaty bits.



The book teaches python like a biology teacher would teach about a frog's organs. It gave me code that is dissected and then explained. So, as the title suggest, I dived strait into Python by typing the "code" into my computer and observing how it works.



However, while compiling the first example program, I ran into some issues. A real stynax and string definition nightmare. Something wasn't right, I had installed all the right programs, versions matched up and my code was identical to the book, but there where still issues. So I go online and check the HTML version. Turns out the book is printed without any underscores......



Pros:Heavy

Square-ish

Will stop a door or make a good paperweight



Cons:NO UNDERSCORES?!

Source code is useless

Continually have to check online version



My recommendation would be to download the PDF version and give Mark Pilgrim a donation.