which book?

[Stephen Ferg]

I'd recommend the QUICK PYTHON BOOK (or is it PYTHON QUICKLY?)
Published by Manning (http://www.manning.com).  It is unique in being
short and very readable.  The best place to start.

You will also need a copy of the online documentation, especially the
Library Reference.  If you don't want to stress your printer by
printing off hundreds of pages, instead get Beazley's Python Essential
Reference.