Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner

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1. jtoldsJan 2023
   Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner (https://smile.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Absolute-Beginne...) has you make a game at the end of every chapter with the concepts you've learned so far. I've bought this book for a number of people, though perhaps Automate the Boring Stuff with Python: Practical Programming for Total Beginners (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1593275994/) is better if you don't want to make games.
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2. throwaway7645Feb 2017
   Yea...flipped through Zed's book. It seemed alright, but Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner is an amazing piece of work. Crystal clear, and you get to build fun little text games.
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3. tron_carterMay 2010
   I started recently learning with a pretty good book on Python. It teaches by having you create little games. "Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner, 3rd Edition" By Michael Dawson. For Ruby on Rails, a great, if a little wacky introduction, would be: http://mislav.uniqpath.com/poignant-guide/
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4. unimpressiveApr 2012
   > He is getting the donations as a result of a random meeting with the film maker.

   Let me tell you a story.

   I'd say this story takes place when I was 11 or 12, around this time I went to a private school. I was transported there by a private bus service. It was a long drive. And the only person I had for company in these (small) buses was the person who happened to be driving it. During this time I grew to appreciate the "brilliant failure" quality that bus drivers seem to have. They knew all sorts of interesting tidbits about the world, and it was usually fun to talk with them on the drive to and from school.

   One driver in particular stands out in my mind, a man named Brian. Brian loved those morning radio stations that brought up social issues and asked listeners to comment. I liked them too. So we'd end up talking about these (in many cases esoteric) social issues and I'd present misguided positions. Which Brian would go ahead and tell me didn't make sense. It was fun. I'd always get Brian on the morning drive, rarely in the afternoon. It felt good stepping off the school bus having just had a discussion about the world. Gets you in that learning mood.

   This situation persisted for some time. During the intervening period I related my (then) dream of becoming a video game designer and computer programmer. He thought it was funny because he wanted to get into a similar field. Eventually it was the last day of school. While I'd had a great time and knew I'd miss all the staff greatly, it didn't really hit me until I was on the bus home. By chance, that day I had Brian. As I was tearing up, conversation didn't really happen. I had finally realized that this would be the last time I would ever see Brian. It wasn't a comforting thought. Eventually it came time to step off the bus. My mom came home at the same time and got out of the car to greet me.

   I knew it was going to sound awkward, but it had to be said, I went up to her crying and the first words out of my mouth were "Mom, I'd like you to meet my bus driver.". It was an odd request, but she did it. In the ensuing conversation I learned that Brian's parent company was about to shutter it's doors and that he'd be out a job. His hope was to attend a trade school and become a sysadmin or some such. We exchanged contact details and he was off.

   A month had passed. While I hadn't forgotten him (And the rest of my school experience.) he wasn't exactly the top thing on my mind. My mom walked in with a large package; addressed to me. That was a rare thing but not totally out of the question, my aunt would occasionally send me gifts in the mail. I asked if she knew what my aunt had sent. I was utterly shocked to find out that it hadn't been sent by my aunt. With a modicum of confusion an infusion of excitement and insatiable curiosity I started to tear the package open.

   When I finally had it undone the item inside may or may not have produced tears of joy.

   It was a copy of Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner. Which I guess you could say is what really got me started on the whole "Program your computer thing.". My mom told me to pen a thank you letter to inform him that I received it. I never got around to it and I have since lost his contact details. I hope to one day track him down and give him the thanks he deserves.

   Sure the difference in monetary expense is $60 to over 90K. But the principle is the same.

   For all that you do, a successful life relies on the luck and chance of meeting the right person at the right time.

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