# Thinking in Python by Bruce Eckel

7 Hacker News commenters recommended Thinking in Python by Bruce Eckel and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 1 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Free, openly licensed Python book that suits readers coming from C++ and gives a good handle on modern Python style. Critics note remnants from the Java edition.

## Why people recommend it

- Good coverage of modern Python (3 comments): "there is some very good (and for the Python world novel) stuff in it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49408573)) "it prepares you for the Python coding style for now to in two years" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49410387)) "he has a pretty good handle on the progression of Python" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49404967))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Crafting Interpreters by Robert Nystrom](https://hackerapproved.com/p/crafting-interpreters.md): 60 recommend
- [Clean Code by Robert C. Martin](https://hackerapproved.com/p/clean-code.md): 31 recommend
- [The Pragmatic Programmer by Hunt and Thomas](https://hackerapproved.com/p/pragmatic-programmer.md): 28 recommend
- [How to Design Programs by Felleisen, Findler, Flatt and Krishnamurthi](https://hackerapproved.com/p/how-to-design-programs.md): 18 recommend
- [Mastering Emacs by Mickey Petersen](https://hackerapproved.com/p/mastering-emacs.md): 17 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Thinking+in+Python&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Thinking in Python by Bruce Eckel", https://hackerapproved.com/p/thinking-in-python/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).