Book · 2015
Python Crash Course
by Eric Matthes
A high school teacher gets tired of Python resources that assume too much, so he writes the one that doesn't.
What does Reddit think of Python Crash Course?
107 mentions, and the most interesting one is the author showing up in his own thread. Eric Matthes posts in r/Python (↑769) explaining the origin story directly: teaching an intro programming class for high schoolers, frustrated that every existing resource "assumed too much about what students knew." That's a specific design goal, not marketing copy. r/webdev (↑102) pairs it with Think Python as a two-book Python starter kit, both "recommended" in the same breath. r/learnprogramming's clearest content quote (↑86) confirms the structure matches that pitch: half fundamentals, half automation projects, spreadsheets and the like. One caveat worth naming: the second-highest-upvoted r/learnprogramming mention (↑550) is actually Al Sweigart answering a question about Minecraft modding with Lua, not Matthes talking about this book, which says something about how loosely these threads get matched as much as it says about the book itself.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · Built by a teacher who found existing resources presumed too much
- · Split structure: fundamentals first, automation projects second
- · Paired with Think Python as a two-book beginner combo
- · Author engagement directly in the recommendation threads
Common praise
- + The author explains he wrote it specifically because other resources assumed too much prior knowledge for his high school students (↑769).
- + Gets bundled with Think Python as a joint recommendation for learning Python from scratch, both books called out as recommended in the same comment (↑102).
- + Called "phenomenal" and specifically "not the boring stuff you see too often" by a r/learnprogramming commenter (↑196).
Common criticism
- − One of the highest-upvoted r/learnprogramming mentions attributed to this book's discussion thread is actually about a completely different Sweigart title on Minecraft modding, which muddies what the volume here is really measuring (↑550).
- − Most excerpts describe the book's structure or origin rather than arguing about whether the automation half holds up as well as the basics half.
- − 107 mentions over seven years, split across seven subreddits, is a thin trace for a book this frequently cited as a default beginner pick.
Who it's for
Teaching yourself Python with zero background and tired of tutorials that skip steps? The author built this specifically to fix that gap for his own students (↑769). Want project-based motivation once the fundamentals click, spreadsheets, automation, that kind of thing? The second half is built around exactly that, per the r/learnprogramming breakdown (↑86). Pair it with Think Python if you want a second angle on the same fundamentals; r/webdev recommends both together rather than picking one. If you're already past beginner syntax and want deeper language internals, nothing displayed here argues this book covers that ground.
Mentions over time
Which Reddit comments matter for Python Crash Course?
The most relevant excerpts across the subreddits where this book is mentioned — opinionated, argued takes first, then top-upvoted mentions. Click through to read the full thread.
“Hi, I'm the author of Python Crash Course. Thank you for sharing this.:) When I started working on the book, I was teaching an introductory programming class for high school students. After a while I noticed that all the resources I tried to use either assumed too much about what students knew, or…
“Hi! I'm Al Sweigart, the author of that book. That book is great if Minecraft would be a great motivator for your son. It uses the Lua scripting language. Do note that the installation instructions have changed because the ComputerCraft mod hasn't kept up with Minecraft so you should install the CC …
“First I want to just clarify, that what you’re describing is something called a book. Lucky for you, there are hundreds of great books about DevOps. And ultimately books are one of the best ways of digging into deeper knowledge on advanced topics. Video courses tend to be skin deep and not get int…
“Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming This book is phenomenal and not the boring stuff you see too often..
“Just books: Think Python and Python Crash Course for Python Two Scoops of Django for Django All recommended! This project was written in Python using Django.
“The best start to programming is by doing. Make something cool. Start with an idea and investigate how to implement it in your chosen language. The most important thing to know is you should start small and build onto existing knowledge. A suggestion for resources would be "Python crash course",…
“Very inspirational my man, I recently started taking some interest in programming after having 0 clue about it and started going through the Python crash course book. Im enjoying it but sometimes I wonder why i am doing this. At what point of knowledge did it start making sense and how much knowl…
“Python Crash Course, 2nd Edition: A Hands-On, Project-Based Introduction to Programming is good book for Python for people without previous programming experience. I do not have any recommendatio…
“Wow, good deal! I think paying the price for all 18 is pretty much worth it for "Python Crash Course", "Automate the Boring Stuff" and "Beyond the Basic Stuff" alone.
“I highly recommend the book Python Crash Course by Eric Matthes (it teaches you Python from the ground up and how to download data offline and use matplotlib and plotly to graph the data you downloaded). Also, if you enjoy business related topics more than DS topics, why not switch to a business ma…
“Can't speak for all of them but Python Crash Course book not only gives you the basics but also has some material on Data Visualization, game dev and web dev (web api and Django).
“I don’t think you can conclude she doesn’t like programming from this. They did a python crash course. That’s boring as f***. What they could do is create a project relating to philosophy. Something as simple as a philosophy placement quiz that tells you which philosopher you are most similar to.
“Well it depends if it's your first programming language or not. If it is, I'd say learn the fundamentals. Learn the syntax, write small scripts that do fizzbuzz, etc. Try to get a programming mindset. Think Python's a good book, and so's Python Crash Course. Then I think you should skim through Auto…
“Absolutely! I want to emphasize that I am a beginner. I know the basic syntax of several languages and have limited knowledge when it comes to tools and technologies. In the past, I used *Python Crash Course* for learning python. The author gives these neat little exercises that help you learn. I a…
“I would recommend Python Crash Course and Automate The Boring Stuff. I would also recommend Udemy videos. They are always having sales. I picked up Python and HTML/CSS/JavaScript videos for as little as $10.
Convinced? Pick up Python Crash Course
Readers also mention
Books that share discussion threads with Python Crash Course — counted from the comments, not curated.
Guides featuring Python Crash Course
Ranked best-of lists and editorial guides where this book's tracked mentions place it.
Python Crash Course — frequently asked
Is Python Crash Course good for someone with zero programming background?+
Yes, and the author designed it for exactly that gap. His own r/Python post (↑769) explains he wrote it after noticing other intro resources assumed too much of his high school students. r/learnprogramming's structural breakdown (↑86) confirms it opens with fundamentals before moving into projects.
Should I read Python Crash Course or Think Python first?+
The one displayed excerpt that compares them doesn't rank one over the other. r/webdev (↑102) recommends both together as a Python starter pair, alongside Two Scoops of Django for the web framework side, treating them as complementary rather than competing picks.
What's actually in Python Crash Course, beyond the basics?+
Per the r/learnprogramming breakdown (↑86), it's split in half: fundamentals of the language first, then a project-based automation section covering things like working with spreadsheets. That structure is described directly, not inferred from marketing copy.
Did the author of Python Crash Course actually respond to Reddit questions about it?+
Yes. Eric Matthes posted directly in r/Python (↑769), explaining he built the book while teaching an introductory class for high schoolers who kept running into resources that assumed too much prior knowledge. That's a rare case of author engagement showing up in the thread itself.