Book · 2015
Python Crash Course
by Eric Matthes
The author built it for high school students who kept getting lost — 126 Reddit mentions later, it's still the default first Python recommendation.
What does Reddit think of Python Crash Course?
Python Crash Course owns r/learnprogramming. Of the book's 126 total mentions across seven years, 77 land in that subreddit alone, where the sentiment runs broadly positive and it gets stacked alongside Automate the Boring Stuff as the two-book beginner canon. r/Python accounts for 34 mentions with neutral sentiment — the author himself showed up in the top-voted comment there to explain the design philosophy, which says something about how seriously he takes the audience. The complaint you see in neutral-sentiment threads is the familiar one — the projects feel guided to the point of hand-holding. That's not a bug in its target audience; it's a feature they keep acknowledging.
Community feedback & reader fit
Themes
- · Project-based learning over abstract theory
- · Beginner-first design that resists assumed knowledge
- · Python as a first programming language
- · Pathway book before domain-specific study
- · Author accountability and community engagement
Common praise
- + The project sections actually get beginners shipping something instead of just reading about loops.
- + r/learnprogramming regulars pair it with Automate the Boring Stuff as a two-book sequence that covers the full beginner-to-functional gap.
- + The author participates in Reddit threads explaining design choices, which r/Python commenters visibly appreciate.
- + r/datascience and r/devops treat it as a reliable hand-off book before pointing newcomers toward heavier domain reading.
- + The 2nd edition got called 'phenomenal' by an r/learnprogramming commenter who specifically called out how it avoids the dry filler most beginner books lean on.
Common criticism
- − The guided projects hold your hand tightly enough that some learners finish without being able to build anything unassisted.
- − Neutral sentiment across r/Python's 34 mentions suggests experienced Pythonistas see it as fine but not worth recommending past the very first month.
- − Mention volume has dropped from 33 in 2021 to 9 in 2025, hinting that newer video-based resources are pulling away first-contact learners.
Who it's for
If you have never written a line of code and want a Python book that doesn't assume you already know what a loop is, this is the one most of Reddit points to first. The 77 r/learnprogramming mentions aren't an accident — that sub recommends it to the exact reader it was designed for: someone who needs structured projects to stay motivated, not exercises that end at 'print Hello World'. Once you've finished it, r/datascience and r/devops will tell you to move on to something domain-specific; the book earns its place as a launchpad, not a destination.
Mentions over time
Which Reddit comments matter for Python Crash Course?
Top-upvoted quotes across the subreddits where this book is mentioned. 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…
“Here's my list of the classics: **General Computing** * But How Do It Know? - The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone * The Elements of Computing Systems: Building a Modern Computer from First Principles * […
“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..
“Data engineer here: 1. What's a regular expression? 2. How do you read a SQL execution plan? I have two queries that pull the same data, why is one faster than the other? 3. Can you tell me how to pull data from an API? 4. How can you rip text out of a PDF document? 5. What happens if you have a ba…
“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.
“It is aimed at beginners. The book is split into two halves. The first half covers the basics of Python. The second half is the automation parts where it's a bunch of different topics involving things like working with Excel spreadsheets, and so forth. This book should be available in webpage fo…
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Readers also mention
Books that share discussion threads with Python Crash Course — counted from the comments, not curated.
Effective Python
Brett Slatkin
Brett Slatkin's 90-item guide to writing Python the way the language actually wants to be written.
Fluent Python
Luciano Ramalho
The Python book r/Python recommends when you're done with the tutorials and need to know what the language actually does.
Effective Java
Joshua Bloch
Joshua Bloch's item-by-item case for writing Java the way the platform was designed to be used, with 90 independent recommendations that aged better than most of the language.
Clean Code
Robert C. Martin
The book 536 Reddit threads cite when arguing about naming variables — revered by beginners, argued over by seniors.
Python Crash Course — frequently asked
Is Python Crash Course still worth reading in 2026?+
Yes, with caveats. Mention volume has eased from its 2021 peak of 33 down to 9 in 2025, but r/learnprogramming still recommends it as one of two default beginner books alongside Automate the Boring Stuff. The project structure holds up for people who need guardrails to finish something. If you already have programming experience in another language, skip it.
What does Reddit actually say about Python Crash Course?+
Broadly positive overall, but the warmth is concentrated. r/learnprogramming drives 77 of the 126 total mentions and treats it as standard-issue first reading. r/Python is cooler — 34 mentions, neutral sentiment — and the community there views it as a beginner utility rather than a book worth getting enthusiastic about.
Should I read Python Crash Course or Automate the Boring Stuff first?+
Depends on your motivation. r/learnprogramming frequently recommends both in sequence, with Python Crash Course as the structured on-ramp and Automate the Boring Stuff as the applied follow-up. An r/Python comment with 241 upvotes names both in the same breath. If Minecraft-style scripting is your actual entry point, neither — that same thread points toward something Lua-based.
Does Python Crash Course prepare you for a data science or DevOps role?+
It gets you to the door. Python Crash Course gives you the Python; the rest is on you.