Free Python Books

A list of Python books in English that are free to read online or download.

How the list got started
What's in the list
Why free books?
Acknowledgments
How to contribute
List of free Python books
Lists of free Python books
License

How the list got started

I had been learning Python for a few weeks when, in January, 2019, I stumbled upon a Reddit post in r/learnpython seeking suggestions on how to become a better programmer.

One of the comments asked for good books or websites about algorithms and data structures. I had collected links to useful Python learning resources among which the free ebook Problem Solving with Algorithms and Data Structures using Python, so I shared the link in a comment.

My comment got a couple dozen upvotes, which hinted at the interest in good, easily accessible Python books. Therefore I later put together a list of all the free Python books I had found and posted it to r/Python.

I was right. My post got hundreds of upvotes and several redditors contributed links to more books and lists, thus confirming the interest in such a resource. The next step was to make my list more useful and widely available by integrating it with the suggestions I got in the Reddit post, publishing it to GitHub, and expanding it with more books.

It's the list you're reading now.

What's in the list

This list includes the entries I originally posted to Reddit, the books and other lists suggested in the comments, a few more I found since then, and any I'll discover.

What's a free Python book?

My definition is fuzzy and necessarily subjective. But I'd say it's an ebook file, a book-length document, or a website structured like a book that is about Python, is written in English, and can be read online or downloaded for free. Most short online tutorials and how-to pages probably don't qualify.

But in the end I recognize a free Python book when I see one.

The entries are grouped by category or application domain and include coverage at all skill levels, from basic to advanced. Within categories the entries are sorted alphabetically by title.

Some redditors shared links to other list of free programming books, some of which are about Python. I've included them too but there's of course some overlap with mine.

Why free books?

I don't mind paid content. In fact, I also purchased great paid Python ebooks and online resources and I'm going to get more.

However, free ebooks have several advantages such as often coming in additional handy or downloadable formats. It's also easier to get books on topics you may be interested in but don't have an immediate need for.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the redditors who contributed book suggestions and links in my original post: AlSweigart, ASIC_SP, Bisalsn, bitcoin-dude, code_x_7777m isakar-elahim, lask757, mfitzp, pvc, warbird2k.

How to contribute

If you have books to suggest you can do a pull request or create an issue. Creating an issue is also a good way of providing other feedback.

Thanks!

List of free Python books

Introductory

Intermediate

Advanced

AI and Machine Learning

Computer Science

Software Engineering and best practices

GUI

Create Simple GUI Applications

Tools

Automate the Boring Stuff with Python

Web development

Data science

Science

Games

Lists of free Python books

License

Each file in this repository is licensed under the CC BY 4.0 License.

Sponsor this project

If you find this resource useful and want to sponsor the project you can buy me a coffee.

Question

I am rather new to Github - a 46 year old student just starting an AI Masters at Johns Hopkins, and I'm embarassed to say I can't figure out why I can't get the 'actual' books on my hard drive. I forked your repository - which is amazing!!! - but when I download a zip, or clone it, I just get the logo, readme, no books. Advice?

Thanks for your patience, Nathan [email protected] [email protected]

opened by Nathan-Walk 4
A free book

Here a great book i use to learn python

https://www.knowledgeisle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Al-Sweigart-Automate-The-Boring-Stuff-With-Python_-Practical-Programming-For-Total-Beginners-No-Starch-Press-2019.pdf

opened by Jorfy69 1
Add free book "An Introduction to Python for Linguists"

I suggest adding this helpful book, which focuses on the basics of Python in the context of NLP needs. I hesitated between the "introduction" and "AI and Machine Learning" category, however, I settled for the former, as it is relatively basic and spends a lot of space on explaining Python as a language.

Paolo, thank you for this marvelous effort. It is very much appreciated.

opened by opop999 1
Full speed python

Hi, here's one more ebook (my own) if you want to add to the list: https://github.com/joaoventura/full-speed-python I have generated epub/pdfs at the releases page: https://github.com/joaoventura/full-speed-python/releases/

I would put it in the introductory section..

👍

opened by joaoventura 1
Adding one book - Think Bayes 2

Bookname: Think Bayes 2 Name of the Author: Allen B Downey Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)

Note:: I have added it in the Science section. But it has diverse uses in almost every field. So you may change the category as you wish. Thanks

Regards, Khurram

opened by Khurrm 0