Top Python books curated by experts

At MentorCruise, we are all about making the most out of the experience of others. As part of that, we have connected and asked dozens of experts and professionals about their favourite Python books – and here are the answers.

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Top Python books recommended by experts
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Fundamentals of Python

Understanding the concepts of Python starts with understanding the fundamentals. On your way to mastery, it's crucial for you to understand how certain concepts were derived, and why things work like they do. Starting with these resources is the best way to do so.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

If you've ever spent hours renaming files or updating hundreds of spreadsheet cells, you know how tedious tasks like these can be. But what if you could have your computer do them for you?

In Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, you'll learn how to use Python to write programs that do …

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Intuitive Python: Productive Development for Projects That Last

Intuitive Python: Productive Development for Projects That Last

In this book, you will learn about some of Python's greatest strengths, weaknesses, and tools to maximize the utility and resiliency of your Python projects. This book contains content for programmers—especially programmers newer to Python—interested in leveling up the projects they maintain wit…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Python Distilled

Python Distilled

Python Distilled has a perfectly suited title: This book is for experienced programmers who want to learn Python and need the Python programming language's core syntax, standard library, and Pythonic idioms.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Tiny Python Projects: Learn Coding and Testing with Puzzles and Games

Tiny Python Projects: Learn Coding and Testing with Puzzles and Games

The 21 fun-but-powerful activities in Tiny Python Projects teach Python fundamentals through puzzles and games. You'll be engaged and entertained with every exercise, as you learn about text manipulation, basic algorithms, and lists and dictionaries, and other foundational programming skills.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Python 3: The Comprehensive Guide

Python 3: The Comprehensive Guide

Ready to master Python? Learn to write effective code with this award-winning comprehensive guide, whether you’re a beginner or a professional programmer. Review core Python concepts, including functions, modularization, and object orientation and walk through the available data types. Then dive…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners

If you've ever spent hours renaming files or updating spreadsheet cells, you know how tedious tasks like these can be. But what if you could have your computer do them for you? Automate the Boring Stuff with Python, 2nd Edition teaches even the technically uninclined how to write programs that d…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Additional Python Reading

These books are not required for you to learn Python, but they are highly recommended for you to deepen your knowledge.

Practices of the Python Pro

Practices of the Python Pro

Practices of the Python Pro teaches you to design and write professional-quality software that's understandable, maintainable, and extensible. Dane Hillard is a Python pro who has helped many dozens of developers make this step, and he knows what it takes.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Head First Python: A Brain-Friendly Guide

Why does this book look so different? Based on the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory, Head First Pythonuses a visually rich format to engage your mind, rather than a text heavy approach that puts you to sleep. Why waste your time struggling with new concepts? This multi se…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Practical Statistics for Data Scientists: 50+ Essential Concepts Using R and Python

Practical Statistics for Data Scientists: 50+ Essential Concepts Using R and Python

Statistical methods are a key part of data science, yet few data scientists have formal statistical training. Courses and books on basic statistics rarely cover the topic from a data science perspective. The second edition of this popular guide adds comprehensive examples in Python, provides pra…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Learn Python the Hard Way: A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code

Learn Python the Hard Way: A Very Simple Introduction to the Terrifyingly Beautiful World of Computers and Code

Zed Shaw has perfected the world’s best system for learning Python 3. Follow it and you will succeed—just like the millions of beginners Zed has taught to date! You bring the discipline, commitment, and persistence; the author supplies everything else. In Learn Python 3 the Hard Way, you’ll lear…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Football Analytics with Python & R

Football Analytics with Python & R

Our book will help you understand some of the basic skills used daily by football analysts. For fans, this will likely be enough data science skills. For the aspiring football analyst, we hope that our book serves as a springboard for your dreams and lifelong learning. To help you learn, this bo…

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Effective Python: 59 Specific Ways to Write Better Python

Effective Python: 59 Specific Ways to Write Better Python

Effective Python, 59 Ways to Write Better Python by Brett Slatkin is a neat little book to help you hone your Python skills (both for 2 and 3). It consists of tips across various concepts, from useful built-in modules to documentation.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

Specializations and Deeper Python Knowledge

You've got your basics in order – time to move on to some advanced and specialized concepts. Python is evolving every day, these books can help you master it.

Python Cookbook: Recipes for Mastering Python 3

Python Cookbook: Recipes for Mastering Python 3

This book is aimed at more experienced Python programmers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the language and modern programming idioms. Much of the material focuses on some of the more advanced techniques used by libraries, frameworks, and applications.

Recommended by the experts and mentors at MentorCruise.

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