Sponsored
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows.
Buy New
-39% $39.89
FREE delivery Sunday, June 14
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$39.89 with 39 percent savings
List Price: $64.99
FREE delivery Sunday, June 14
Or Prime members get FREE delivery Tomorrow, June 10. Order within 7 hrs 33 mins. Join Prime
Arrives 11 days before Father's Day
Only 16 left in stock (more on the way).
$$39.89 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$39.89
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Shipper / Seller
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Shipper / Seller
Amazon.com
Returns
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
Quick refund
Usually issued within 24 hours. See exceptions
FREE return
At least one free return option available.
Convenient dropoff
At any of our 50,000 US locations.
See return policy
Gift options
Available at checkout
Available at checkout This item is a gift. Change
At checkout, you can add a custom message, a gift receipt for easy returns and have the item gift-wrapped
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$29.17
Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! See less
$4.99 delivery June 18 - 24. Details
Or fastest delivery June 15 - 17. Details
Arrives before Father's Day
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$39.89 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$39.89
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Ships from and sold by HPB-Ruby.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

  • Powerful Python: Patterns and Strategies with Modern Python

Follow the author

Get new release updates & improved recommendations
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Powerful Python: Patterns and Strategies with Modern Python

4.7 out of 5 stars (26)

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$39.89","priceAmount":39.89,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"39","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"89","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"iRlzEVzdcGRWGgUp5NA2tRXyLJoyBAq7NDZkesurtHYD7zM3LyY0QW5FAkt946Hi2PUzpR6MPxNzV47tAHr7BGDbQDTUfEEfIGKFcB4aA9b5nb70cmR3aUUausifKPxBaVf%2BJnDHY6RFBST%2BRDdjuw%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$29.17","priceAmount":29.17,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"29","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"17","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"iRlzEVzdcGRWGgUp5NA2tRXyLJoyBAq7aBpnS%2FI%2BEOLboZP2yycCtjImqnbfMYZ0yCWzUqGG9udVXsYBFR3ZEa%2Fan1tlOglXjKJ0mopgMI7hhkbeISbsozrVJdFhCf2urTbRxZLbFtzr1j8ug3VMgcIfqECaTlfQAMTM3zJRR76Wz1Sqg74MIk%2FfksucFOsv","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Once you've mastered the basics of Python, how do you skill up to the top 1%? How do you focus your learning time on topics that yield the most benefit for production engineering and data teams-- without getting distracted by info of little real-world use? This book answers these questions and more.

Based on author Aaron Maxwell's software engineering career in Silicon Valley, this unique book focuses on the Python first principles that act to accelerate everything else: the 5% of programming knowledge that makes the remaining 95% fall like dominos. It's also this knowledge that helps you become an exceptional Python programmer, fast.

  • Learn how to think like a Pythonista: explore advanced Pythonic thinking
  • Create lists, dicts, and other data structures using a high-level, readable, and maintainable syntax
  • Explore higher-order function abstractions that form the basis of Python libraries
  • Examine Python's metaprogramming tools for priceless patterns of code reuse
  • Master Python's error model and learn how to leverage it in your own code
  • Learn the more potent and advanced tools of Python's object system
  • Take a deep dive into Python's automated testing and TDD
  • Learn how Python logging helps you troubleshoot and debug more quickly

Sponsored

Frequently bought together

This item: Powerful Python: Patterns and Strategies with Modern Python
$39.89
Get it as soon as Sunday, Jun 14
Only 16 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$43.99
Get it as soon as Sunday, Jun 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$53.66
Get it as soon as Sunday, Jun 14
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Choose items to buy together.

Customers also bought or read

Loading...

From the brand


From the Publisher

Powerful Python: Patterns and Strategies with Modern Python

From the Preface

Who This Book Is For

This book is for you if you know the basics of Python and have mastered just about everything the beginner tutorials can teach you. It is also for those who want to learn more advanced techniques and strategies, so you can do more with Python, and more with coding, than you could before.

This book is not for people who want just enough Python to get by. Like I said, Python is important, and rewards those who master it.

And this book is not for the unambitious. In writing, I assume you want to build a career you are proud of, doing work with a high positive impact.

Further, this book is not for the mentally rigid. The difference between elite engineers and “normal” coders lies in the distinctions they make, the mental models they leverage, and their ability to perceive what others cannot.

Our Strategy in This Book

Modern Problem #1: You have too much to learn.

Modern Problem #2: Society has evolved to reduce your time and energy for deep focused learning, due to changes in technology and culture.

This seems like a recipe for misery. But there is a way out: what are called first principles.

In any field of human activity—including Python coding—there are foundational concepts which everything builds on. These include powerful distinctions, abstractions, and mental models. When you learn what these first principles are and how to work with them, you find yourself cutting through the noise and getting ahead much more easily. These first principles are accelerators, in that they give you the tools, inner resources, and capabilities to solve many problems. It effectively creates a “95/5” rule: there is a 5% you can focus on learning, which makes the remaining 95% fall like dominos.

That 5% is what we mean by the first principles of Python. Which is what this book is really about.

Hence, this book is selective in what it covers. It is not a comprehensive “one stop shop” for everything Python. Further, this book contains practical guidance based on lessons learned when writing real-world software—often as part of a team of engineers.

So factors like maintainability, robustness, and readability are considered more important than anything else. There is a balance between leveraging powerful abstractions, and writing code that is easy to work with by everyone on your team. This book aims to walk that line.

Throughout, I give much attention to cognitive aspects of software development. How do you write code that you and others can reason about easily, quickly, and accurately? This is one reason variable and function naming is important. But it goes far beyond that syntax level…​to intelligently choosing which language features and library resources to use, and which to avoid.

This book is not large, as measured by number of pages. That’s a feature, not a bug: you already have too much to read. The focus is on what’s most valuable, so that—as much as possible—everything you learn will serve you for years.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Aaron Maxwell is a software engineer and Pythonista. Through a decade working in Silicon Valley engineering teams, including two Unicorns, he has gained strong production experience in backend engineering at scale; data science and machine learning; test automation infrastructure; DevOps and SRE; cloud infrastructure; marketing automation; and much more. He codes in a variety of languages, including plenty of Python. Aaron then pivoted to training, developing an innovative curriculum for intermediate and advanced Python, which he has taught to over 10,000 technology professionals worldwide―in nearly every engineering domain, country, and culture.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ O'Reilly Media
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 17, 2024
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 200 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1098175700
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1098175702
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.42 x 9.19 inches
  • Best Sellers Rank: #706,483 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars (26)

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Aaron Maxwell
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Sponsored

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
26 global ratings
Sponsored

Top reviews from the United States

  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Very helpful for learning advanced Python
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2025
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    This book covers advanced Python topics and helps you begin thinking pythonically. I read previous versions of this book at the author’s website, and it led me to take his bootcamp training.

    Sending feedback...
    Thank you for your feedback.
    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Applicable Lessons
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2025
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    I've enjoyed reading this book. The topics capture Python programming idioms that you'd only pick up after years of hands-on on experience.

    Sending feedback...
    Thank you for your feedback.
    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
  • 5 out of 5 stars
    You need this book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2025
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    I know Python well enough to do a lot of different things. This book will take your skills to the next level.

    One person found this helpful
    Sending feedback...
    Thank you for your feedback.
    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Thin book, highly focused on the important stuff
    Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2025
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Loved it. Great coverage of generators, comprehensions and decorators. Very glad to see evangelism for unit testing.

    One person found this helpful
    Sending feedback...
    Thank you for your feedback.
    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Excellent for intermediate developers
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    I thought I was progressing along pretty well in my quest learning Python. This book (the pre published version) changed all that and unlocked a deeper understanding of the language and better mental models for writing production worthy code. There is an ocean of material for beginners and some for more experienced developers but very little for those in-between. This book fills that void perfectly by explaining how crucial aspects of Python works and ways to incorporate that knowledge into your everyday code.

    7 people found this helpful
    Sending feedback...
    Thank you for your feedback.
    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
  • 3 out of 5 stars
    A decent start, but...
    Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2025
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    First, this book comes in at a very short 180 pages for a $65 list price.  That's 36 cents a page folks!  The author spent at least two pages ranting about how bad it is to catch all exceptions because it led to difficult bug in his experience.  I don't disagree but that's 72+ cents for this prolonged anecdote.

    This book ends halfway through.  It should have been much broader and deeper.  For example, the chapter on testing does not cover pytest.

    Moreover, it's really unclear to me who this book is for:  You need decent familiarity with Python already to enter into this book. The author cherrypicked some features (like comprehensions) to introduce and discuss.  My question is: how do you get far enough in Python to qualify for reading this book while not encountering comprehensions?  Same goes with logging and exceptions and many of the other topics in this book.

    I'm not an advanced Pythonista by any stretch but I personally don't feel I learned enough "new things" in reading this book to justify the expense.

    4 people found this helpful
    Sending feedback...
    Thank you for your feedback.
    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.

Top reviews from other countries

  • 5 out of 5 stars
    Awesome
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2025
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    It's not a comprehensive book about Python, but it focuses on aspects which are confusing. That's perfect, isn't it?!

    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.
  • 5 out of 5 stars
    A concise, intermediate-level book on Python.
    Reviewed in Italy on March 26, 2025
    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Concise and useful.

    Sending feedback...
    Thanks, we'll investigate in the next few days.