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A Smarter Way to Learn Python: Learn it faster. Remember it longer.
Learning Python is frustrating because of two problems.
I remove the problems, and you start having fun.
I remove the problems, and you start having fun.
The first problem is retention. You remember only ten or twenty percent of what you read. That spells failure. To become fluent in a computer language, you have to retain pretty much everything.
How can you retain everything? Only by constantly being asked to play everything back. That's why people use flashcards. But my system does flashcards one better. After reading a short chapter, you go to my website and complete twenty interactive exercises. Algorithms check your work to make sure you know what you think you know. When you stumble, you do the exercise again. You keep trying until you know the chapter cold. The exercises are free.
The second problem is comprehension. Many learners hit a wall when they try to understand advanced concepts like variable scope and prototypes. Unfortunately, they blame themselves. That's why the Dummies books sell so well. But the fault lies with the authors, coding virtuosos who lack teaching talent. I'm the opposite of the typical software book author. I'll never code fast enough to land a job at Google. But I can teach.
Anyway, most comprehension problems are just retention problems in disguise. If you get lost trying to understand variable scope, it's because you don't remember how functions work. Thanks to the interactive exercises on my website, you'll always understand and remember everything necessary to confidently tackle the next concept.
"I've signed up to a few sites like Udemy, Codecademy, FreeCodeCamp, Lynda, YouTube videos, even searched on Coursera but nothing seemed to work for me. This book takes only 10 minutes each chapter and after that, you can exercise what you've just learned right away!" —Amazon reviewer Constanza Morales reviewing A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript
Better than just reading. And more fun.
You'll spend two to three times as much time practicing as reading. It's how you wind up satisfied, confident, and proud, instead of confused, discouraged, and defeated. And since many people find doing things more enjoyable than reading things, it can be a pleasure to learn this way, quite apart from the impressive results you achieve.
"Very effective and fun." —Amazon reviewer A. Bergamini reviewing A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript
Written especially for beginners.
I wrote the book and exercises especially for people who are new to programming. Making no assumptions about what you already know, I walk you through Python slowly, patiently. I explain every little thing in sixth-grade English. I avoid unnecessary technical jargon like the plague. (Face it, fellow authors, it is the plague.)
"The layman syntax he uses...makes it much easier to suddenly realize a concept that seemed abstract and too hard to wrap your head around is suddenly not complicated at all." — Amazon reviewer IMHO reviewing A Smarter Way to Learn JavaScript
The exercises keep you focused, give you extra practice where you're shaky, and prepare you for each next step. Every lesson is built on top of a solid foundation that you and I have carefully constructed. Each individual step is small. But all the little steps add up to real knowledge.
If you're an accomplished programmer already, my book may be too elementary for you. (Do you really need to be told what a variable is?) But if you're new to programming, this may just be the book to get you coding Python successfully.
Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2017
761 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Mark Myers
11 books29 followersMark Myers is a former lecturer in the Communications School of Boston University. He develops interactive training and websites. He holds an A.B. from Harvard.
His professional focus is on using technology to reduce the effort and tedium of learning, primarily through interactivity. He is developing the "A Smarter Way to Learn" series on programming, a collection of instructional books paired with online interactive exercises. He runs the website http://www.ASmarterWayToLearn.com.
Mark, his wife Judy, and their three politically-active cats live in Taos, NM, where he cooks under the ghostly supervision of Marcella Hazan, reads extensively, plays showboat frisbee once a week, and longs for more episodes of "Breaking Bad."
His professional focus is on using technology to reduce the effort and tedium of learning, primarily through interactivity. He is developing the "A Smarter Way to Learn" series on programming, a collection of instructional books paired with online interactive exercises. He runs the website http://www.ASmarterWayToLearn.com.
Mark, his wife Judy, and their three politically-active cats live in Taos, NM, where he cooks under the ghostly supervision of Marcella Hazan, reads extensively, plays showboat frisbee once a week, and longs for more episodes of "Breaking Bad."
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 20, 2018
What a great guide to learning. This handy book makes learning python super easy with very digestible chapters and great exercises that build on each other and establish a great base for coding knowledge. Really pleased with this book, feel very confident about going on to work on projects with this solid foundation
December 11, 2018
Great book for beginners
Small, way to digest chapters. Online quizzes after each chapter reinforce what you have learned (definitely do those). Good book for beginners in Python. One omission is dealing with databases.
Small, way to digest chapters. Online quizzes after each chapter reinforce what you have learned (definitely do those). Good book for beginners in Python. One omission is dealing with databases.
January 16, 2020
Thank u Mark ..
for you in me:
If you == "looking for freedom":
Print("what a luck :)")
for you in me:
If you == "looking for freedom":
Print("what a luck :)")
September 29, 2023
A Smarter Way to Learn Python by Mark Myers isn’t just your typical coding book—it’s like having a friendly guide in the often confusing programming world. This book has changed how I look at learning Python, turning what seemed like a mountain into a more manageable hill. A buddy of mine, who’s pretty good with code, saw me struggling and pointed me to this book. He knew I needed something that laid things out clearly and relaxed.
Mark Myers isn’t just some guy who decided to write a book. He’s like a knowledgeable friend who knows how to light up the often dark and twisty path of Python programming. With his background and understanding of how people learn, he’s made a book that’s not scary for beginners. It feels like he’s right there with you, cheering you on. The book came out when everyone realized how handy Python is, and Myers made sure his book was a welcoming door for beginners and those with some coding under their belts.
Myers knows his stuff in tech and teaching, which makes him good at breaking down complex things into bite-sized, understandable pieces. He’s all about making Python something anyone can learn and enjoy. His book is like having a casual chat about Python, not a stiff lecture. People have noticed this and appreciate how the book has helped them grasp Python without pulling their hair out.
A Smarter Way to Learn Python isn’t just a one-way street of facts—it’s like a conversation that brings up the questions that bug new Python learners. What are the basics of Python? How do you put together different bits of code to make something work? And what's the deal with terms like floats, integers, and strings? Myers simply tackles these questions, giving you a solid ground to stand on.
He introduces each new idea quickly, followed by questions that ensure you’ve got it down before moving on. Like with strings, he explains what they are, shows you how they work, and then gets you to write some code independently. The book is laid out like a well-thought-out class, building from one chapter to the next. It’s not a steep climb but a gentle uphill walk, letting you get a good grip on each new thing before tackling the next. This step-by-step approach is excellent for understanding and remembering what you’re learning.
What’s cool about Myers’ way of teaching is that he gets you using what you learn right away. Many books dump a load of information on you, but A Smarter Way to Learn Python calls you coding from the get-go. This hands-on way of learning has helped me remember Python concepts better and has made learning to code something I look forward to.
Each page I turn and each question I answer pushes me further into Python. With Myers’ help, I have a steady hand guiding me through the ups and downs. The challenges in the book keep me hooked and wanting to learn more, building a solid understanding of Python that sticks.
In wrapping up, A Smarter Way to Learn Python by Mark Myers isn’t just a book—it’s a journey into Python that’s made less scary and more fun. It’s significantly impacted my learning, giving me the tools and confidence to dive into programming. The way Myers teaches in his easy-going writing style makes this book a treasure for anyone starting with Python or looking to improve. His book is filled with real-life examples that make the concepts come alive and easy to grasp. Myers’ way of simplifying the tricky parts lifts the whole learning experience and turns the challenge of mastering Python into something achievable. The way he lays out the topics gives you a solid base to build on, unfolding Python piece by piece. Thanks to this book, learning Python has turned from a bumpy road into a smooth ride, motivating me to keep going in the ever-changing world of coding. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that coding is scary. Coding can be something that sounds scary, and that often makes people shy away from it. I am here to tell you that it isn’t and is very simple most of the time– as long as you take your time. Learning code is like learning a new language. It is more exponential than linear since learning different terms explains other terms. This makes beginning the most challenging part, which is why I used this book since it makes Python a walk in the park. If you follow through with reading this book, I recommend you keep a consistent reading schedule and do the practices provided by the book. Learning requires repetition, so a program is highly recommended. That being said, once you have a consistent schedule, you will create a habit of learning and writing code, making your coding journey much more fruitful.
Mark Myers isn’t just some guy who decided to write a book. He’s like a knowledgeable friend who knows how to light up the often dark and twisty path of Python programming. With his background and understanding of how people learn, he’s made a book that’s not scary for beginners. It feels like he’s right there with you, cheering you on. The book came out when everyone realized how handy Python is, and Myers made sure his book was a welcoming door for beginners and those with some coding under their belts.
Myers knows his stuff in tech and teaching, which makes him good at breaking down complex things into bite-sized, understandable pieces. He’s all about making Python something anyone can learn and enjoy. His book is like having a casual chat about Python, not a stiff lecture. People have noticed this and appreciate how the book has helped them grasp Python without pulling their hair out.
A Smarter Way to Learn Python isn’t just a one-way street of facts—it’s like a conversation that brings up the questions that bug new Python learners. What are the basics of Python? How do you put together different bits of code to make something work? And what's the deal with terms like floats, integers, and strings? Myers simply tackles these questions, giving you a solid ground to stand on.
He introduces each new idea quickly, followed by questions that ensure you’ve got it down before moving on. Like with strings, he explains what they are, shows you how they work, and then gets you to write some code independently. The book is laid out like a well-thought-out class, building from one chapter to the next. It’s not a steep climb but a gentle uphill walk, letting you get a good grip on each new thing before tackling the next. This step-by-step approach is excellent for understanding and remembering what you’re learning.
What’s cool about Myers’ way of teaching is that he gets you using what you learn right away. Many books dump a load of information on you, but A Smarter Way to Learn Python calls you coding from the get-go. This hands-on way of learning has helped me remember Python concepts better and has made learning to code something I look forward to.
Each page I turn and each question I answer pushes me further into Python. With Myers’ help, I have a steady hand guiding me through the ups and downs. The challenges in the book keep me hooked and wanting to learn more, building a solid understanding of Python that sticks.
In wrapping up, A Smarter Way to Learn Python by Mark Myers isn’t just a book—it’s a journey into Python that’s made less scary and more fun. It’s significantly impacted my learning, giving me the tools and confidence to dive into programming. The way Myers teaches in his easy-going writing style makes this book a treasure for anyone starting with Python or looking to improve. His book is filled with real-life examples that make the concepts come alive and easy to grasp. Myers’ way of simplifying the tricky parts lifts the whole learning experience and turns the challenge of mastering Python into something achievable. The way he lays out the topics gives you a solid base to build on, unfolding Python piece by piece. Thanks to this book, learning Python has turned from a bumpy road into a smooth ride, motivating me to keep going in the ever-changing world of coding. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that coding is scary. Coding can be something that sounds scary, and that often makes people shy away from it. I am here to tell you that it isn’t and is very simple most of the time– as long as you take your time. Learning code is like learning a new language. It is more exponential than linear since learning different terms explains other terms. This makes beginning the most challenging part, which is why I used this book since it makes Python a walk in the park. If you follow through with reading this book, I recommend you keep a consistent reading schedule and do the practices provided by the book. Learning requires repetition, so a program is highly recommended. That being said, once you have a consistent schedule, you will create a habit of learning and writing code, making your coding journey much more fruitful.
December 14, 2019
Misleading title, quite to opposite - this is a retarded way to learn Ptyhon.
And actually the book will teaches you nothing about programming or Python,
completly lack the big picture.
It teachs you how to memorize basic python commends in a hard way,
but you will be cluess why and when to use them ...
Don't except to be able to create something in Python after that book, except print something basic on the screen.
Excerise are dull and boring and repetitive,
and what's even worse you need make a break after 1-2 chapters with exercies becasue they will burn all your cognitive abilites.
It's better to start making projects and by doing/building something you will have to learn commends on the way, rather then memorize theory which you won't even know how to apply in real world projects.
And actually the book will teaches you nothing about programming or Python,
completly lack the big picture.
It teachs you how to memorize basic python commends in a hard way,
but you will be cluess why and when to use them ...
Don't except to be able to create something in Python after that book, except print something basic on the screen.
Excerise are dull and boring and repetitive,
and what's even worse you need make a break after 1-2 chapters with exercies becasue they will burn all your cognitive abilites.
It's better to start making projects and by doing/building something you will have to learn commends on the way, rather then memorize theory which you won't even know how to apply in real world projects.
May 4, 2020
I have tried going through this book several times, but stopped but never could, because I felt it was getting boring. Due to Covid-19 crisis I have much more time now to become more educated in technology sector, and so I decided to make another attempt to complete the book.
The beauty of this work is that it is very much hands-on, and follows the same principles an experienced foreign language learner would follow, which is repeat the material, until it becomes second nature. In that sense the author did a great job of drilling into a motivated student a feel for computer language syntax, and I feel that I have a good grasp of the basics by now.
This approach might not work for people who lack patience, but then programming is probably not suitable for that kind of person altogether.
If I were to start over, I would go through this book on the first attempt.
The beauty of this work is that it is very much hands-on, and follows the same principles an experienced foreign language learner would follow, which is repeat the material, until it becomes second nature. In that sense the author did a great job of drilling into a motivated student a feel for computer language syntax, and I feel that I have a good grasp of the basics by now.
This approach might not work for people who lack patience, but then programming is probably not suitable for that kind of person altogether.
If I were to start over, I would go through this book on the first attempt.
January 29, 2020
Book Title Says It All
Simply put, the book is a smarter way to learn Python, learn it faster and remember it longer. I liked having each chapter short and focused on one small bit of code. Writing code at the end of each chapter makes sure you understand the chapter and helps you remember what was learned. Highly recommend.
Simply put, the book is a smarter way to learn Python, learn it faster and remember it longer. I liked having each chapter short and focused on one small bit of code. Writing code at the end of each chapter makes sure you understand the chapter and helps you remember what was learned. Highly recommend.
July 1, 2020
Solid intro
Quick and easy to understand intro, missing allot of the why something works, but that doesn’t remove any real value. I would recommend this as a decent beginner book and/or solid review. I found the authors depiction of classes to be useful for to reinforce my previous learning gaps.
Quick and easy to understand intro, missing allot of the why something works, but that doesn’t remove any real value. I would recommend this as a decent beginner book and/or solid review. I found the authors depiction of classes to be useful for to reinforce my previous learning gaps.
May 28, 2023
Very good book,We can practice using link given in the book
Very good book,We can practice using link given in the book.Mark Myers had put a lot of effort in my no writing this book,so that people like us who are not confident in doing programming,can easily and precisely learn it.
Very good book,We can practice using link given in the book.Mark Myers had put a lot of effort in my no writing this book,so that people like us who are not confident in doing programming,can easily and precisely learn it.
November 5, 2019
Detailed and easy
Great book for beginners. Easy to understand each subject each paragraph. I highly recommend this book to anyone who starting out and needs details and explanations
Great book for beginners. Easy to understand each subject each paragraph. I highly recommend this book to anyone who starting out and needs details and explanations
April 15, 2020
The author teaches Python in the most basic way that I have ever seen that even a noob with no programming background can understand the syntax and pick it up easily.
I used this book as a textbook along with the PIAIC's AI course which teaches Python.
I used this book as a textbook along with the PIAIC's AI course which teaches Python.
December 15, 2018
Extraordinary book for learning Python. Simple chapters tied into interactive practice quizes after every chapter make it excellent for learning.
January 12, 2019
😃
8/10 good instructions. Fun almost snarky and simplified to a tedious degree at times. Worth the read if you need a good overview of the common structures and uses.
8/10 good instructions. Fun almost snarky and simplified to a tedious degree at times. Worth the read if you need a good overview of the common structures and uses.
January 29, 2019
rgdbc cxnbcncnc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2019
Straight forward
A straight forward break down of the basics of python. Well written and concise. Definitely a grest way to start in programming.
A straight forward break down of the basics of python. Well written and concise. Definitely a grest way to start in programming.
May 29, 2019
An excellent start for a totally-new coder. The book consists of 1 - 3 page chapters presenting a bite-sized topic, and coordinated on-line short exercises with immediate answers.
February 16, 2020
There are some grammatical mistakes so I lowered my score to 4 stars otherwise this is a must have book for Python beginner programmers
May 5, 2020
One of the Good book for the beginner.
June 13, 2020
This is a wonderful book. Though I've learnt python before, but the small chapters and segmented topics of this books help a lot to learn new things, in small chunks.
September 16, 2020
Good book. Some online content broken.
Good as a basic intro to the different commands and syntax. Some of the online exercises were glitchy. I liked it.
Good as a basic intro to the different commands and syntax. Some of the online exercises were glitchy. I liked it.
November 6, 2020
Good book
I enjoyed working through the book. I know some more about python but I will probably forget it because I am old.
I enjoyed working through the book. I know some more about python but I will probably forget it because I am old.
March 9, 2021
Excellent resource.
February 8, 2024
Great for python basics
The perfect way to learn python or brush up on python basics. Highly recommended to all python developers. Great for quick references as well.
The perfect way to learn python or brush up on python basics. Highly recommended to all python developers. Great for quick references as well.
July 10, 2024
Learned a lot, very helpful
August 4, 2025
Me gustó bastante el contenido, el maestro Mark explica muy bien, para empezar es un libro excelente, cabe destacar que la información es muy básica y se explica muy por encima.
February 27, 2023
Great stuff! Would recommend it to all beginners!
The book deals with basics, but for an absolute beginner such as myself, that's exactly what was needed. The coding exercises were sometimes tedious, repetitive, and a bit boring, but that's not really the author's fault. That's what's needed to memorize proper syntax, no way around it.
I'm planning to read the books on HTML/CSS and JavaScript by the same author as soon as I'm able to...
The book deals with basics, but for an absolute beginner such as myself, that's exactly what was needed. The coding exercises were sometimes tedious, repetitive, and a bit boring, but that's not really the author's fault. That's what's needed to memorize proper syntax, no way around it.
I'm planning to read the books on HTML/CSS and JavaScript by the same author as soon as I'm able to...
July 29, 2020
This is a great place to start learning the fundamental syntax of Python. Wish the concepts would come togheter after each large part of the book (e.g. a "functions project" that includes previous chapter knowledge. A final project that includes all the syntax/chapters would be a great addition as well.
Overall great place to start your journey with Python.
Overall great place to start your journey with Python.
Want to read
May 26, 2019na
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews