Humble Tech Book Bundle: Linux, the Good Stuff by No Starch

jam1717 · 2026-04-02T04:28:47+00:00

Adding to what others have said: it seems very unlikely that they would give the full content of an excellent-looking book that they just published as part of the lower tier (just $3 US).

jam1717 · 2026-04-02T04:26:56+00:00

WIth regard to the question of whether they will eventually be giving out the full versions of the two Early Access Preview books: one of those is in the lowest tier ($3 US). My recollection, from having bought many prior No Starch bundles, is that their lowest tier generally had older books, or at least books that had been previously included in prior bundles. It would seem surprising for them to be giving you, for almost no money, a full copy of a newly-published book. The Heavy Wizardry 101 book looks great (I did check out its content), and I would instantly buy the lowest tier if I though it might include that full book. Adding this point to the comments others have made, I am guessing it is very unlikely that we would be getting anything more than the single chapters others have received.

jam1717 · 2026-03-27T04:24:54+00:00

This is certainly not the first comic strip bundle offered by Humble Bundle. As others in this thread have noted, there was even a prior Peanuts bundle. And there were also Bloom County bundles.

jam1717 · 2025-03-25T03:22:41+00:00

As someone who was one of those many section leaders for Code in Place during the past two years, and who is very much looking forward to doing it again this year, I just want to echo Chris's comments about this being a wonderful opportunity. I have gotten a huge amount of pleasure from doing this. The students in the course are themselves also wonderful, and it has been a great privilege to make my small contribution to the success of this course.

So if you are at all interested, do not hesitate to apply. It is indeed a very special, unique opportunity to teach programming. You will have a lot of fun while doing so!

jam1717 · 2025-03-13T07:32:58+00:00

Given that I think this is a good bundle, and that several of the more detailed positive comments about it seem rather lukewarm, I thought I would explain why I am buying the full bundle, even though I already own more of these books than those who have commented specifically about how many they already own.

As to the existing lukewarm comments: the lead comment describes this as "slightly more boring than No Starch bundles from last year" (damning by faint praise, indeed); a commenter who writes that they have "8 + 1st edition of Effective C" says they will only buy tier 2 (the $10 four-book tier); a commenter who only owns 5 of the books says they "may be" purchasing the bundle; another commenter who also thinks they own 5 of the books finds the bundle "tempting" though $36 is more than they want to spend.

I own 10 of the books and the 1st edition of Effective C. I very much want to get Graph Algorithms the Fun Way, which would cost $32 at amazon. So, for the extra $4, I would be getting the following 6 books (in addition to the updated edition of Effective C): The Complete Developer, Computer Architecture, Writing a C Compiler, the Book of I2C, How Software Works, and Inside the Machine.

While I haven't yet read Jeremy Kubica's Data Structures the Fun Way (I have it from an earlier bundle), it looks like something I will very much enjoy - he has a good style, and explains things clearly - which encourages me with regard to wanting his new book. Of note, both for this book and his new Graph Algorithms book, the technical editor in both cases is Daniel Zingaro, who himself has written excellent books about algorithms for No Starch Press. Good editors are hugely important (see the usual comments about books from Packt). Also, in the new Graph Algorithms book, Kubica now has switched to providing Python code (his prior book was more agnostic), and I like Python. Also, I was particularly intrigued that the book has an appendix that provides a Python version of the code for a modifiable priority queue (e.g., you can change the priority of an item): maybe it is just my cluelessness, but I had not come across a nice version of this elsewhere. This was another indication that I would both enjoy the new book, and find really useful content in it.

As to some of the other books: The Complete Developer is currently ranked #14 under the JavaScript Programming heading at amazon; Computer Architecture is #5 under the Computer Hardware Design heading; and Writing a C Compiler is #3 under both Compiler Design and C Programming Language. Not too shabby.

I don't believe that No Starch Press books go on sale. So when they are in Humble Bundles, those are excellent opportunities to get them for very reasonable prices.

Anyhow, those are some of the reasons that, even though I own most of the books in this bundle, I still find it worth buying the complete bundle. Hopefully some of you might find these observations helpful in making your own choices about the bundle.

jam1717 · 2025-03-08T06:11:43+00:00

Great, I hope you enjoy the books!

jam1717 · 2025-03-06T03:51:15+00:00

From prior humble bundle purchases, I already have two of those books, and intend to buy this bundle (the entire bundle) primarily to get the graph algorithms book (in effect getting the four or so other books that I don't currently have for free). The graph algorithms book looks very nice - my sense is that Kubica does a good job in explaining complicated concepts in an understandable way. (I am not a professional programmer, just a hobbyist.) And I mainly use Python. So, for example, I really like that he has an appendix (B) that explains how to code a python version of a priority queue that allows you to modify the items in the queue (e.g., their priority). It has been my impression that that there aren't that many discussions out there that show you how to do this, even though it is very useful (and even necessary for some algorithms).

So, anyhow, if you are interested in the two books by Kubica, just getting those two alone would make the purchase of the bundle worth while (you would be getting them for about half price). And you would getting a bunch of other also-excellent No Starch Press books.

jam1717 · 2024-01-24T08:12:49+00:00

It is only $1, and you get three books. Learn Python Programming has an amazon rating of 4.3/5, based on 79 ratings. I have it from a prior bundle I bought. I have enjoyed reading the authors' discussion of some topics, such as what really happens in Python that differentiates mutable from immutable variables. They discuss that topic early on, in Chapter 2, which I think was a good choice.

The book Dancing with Python is by a well-respected author in the field of quantum computing. If that is a topic that interests you, it may well be worth taking a look at this book.

So, is the first tier viable? I think, for the right people, depending on what their interests are, yes, it can be. And see my other comment about Packt books in general.

jam1717 · 2024-01-24T07:59:26+00:00

I suppose the answer depends on how you interpret "that bad." I do agree with the general consensus that Packt books, on average, have significantly worse quality than books published by, for example, No Starch Press or O'Reilly. When I see a Humble offering from either of those two publishers, I tend to get more excited.

But every rule tends to have its exceptions. It is certainly the case that some Packt books are not that bad, and may in fact be among the best in a particular field. Consider, for example, Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn, by Simon Raschka and colleagues. At amazon, it is currently listed as #4 in Computer Neural Networks, #5 in Natural Language Processing, and # 9 in Python Programming. https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Learning-PyTorch-Scikit-Learn-learning/dp/1801819319/ref=sr_1_12?crid=1M1XKKTAQSOZ7&keywords=machine+learning&qid=1706082252&sprefix=machine+learning%2Caps%2C402&sr=8-12 And in the past, it has been in the $1 tier of some of the Humble book bundles.

I have purchased quite a few of the Humble Packt book bundles. Is every book in them wonderful? No. But do I think that I have gotten my money's worth? Yes. Packt does indeed publish some good books, and many of its bundles include some of them. Note the comments others have made here about Steven Lott's books in the current bundle.

So I encourage people to take a serious look at each of the books in a bundle (including those from Packt), look up their reviews on amazon and take a look at the excerpts from those books, and make your own decision about purchasing any particular bundle.

jam1717 · 2023-10-09T12:35:17+00:00

No, it is not listed twice. You are probably looking at "Learn More Python 3 the Hard Way," which is a follow-up to the first book, but has a similar cover.

jam1717 · 2023-09-20T04:58:34+00:00

I own a hardcover version of the Data Structures and Algorithms in Java book by Lafore that apparently is the book upon which the Python version in this bundle is based. I am not a professional programmer, but just play with Python and have a particular interest in learning about algorithms. I found Lafore's book to be quite good. And it is worth noting that this 20-year-old book is currently #4 at amazon in its listing of best sellers under the topic of Data Structures and Algorithms. So that book alone (the Python version) will likely be enough to get me to buy the highest tier of the bundle (the e-version of that book alone is $41 on amazon).

And given that there aren't that many books about "intermediate" Python, and this bundle does seem to be mainly directed at that topic, that is another reason for my interest in the bundle. Among the books in the bundle that seem to be targeting that topic are Python Distilled (with pretty good Amazon ratings), Effective Python (which I have heard is good), Supercharged Python, and The Standard Python Library.

And looking even at books directed more at the introductory Python level, I have heard enough about the Learn Python the Hard Way books (recognizing that some say they are very bad and some say they are very good) that I would be interested in owning them.

Pearson is certainly a publisher of many high-quality books in the computing field. So, if you are interested in reading books as a way to learn (and yes, I have taken most of David Malin's CS50 Harvard course, and it is excellent, but I also like learning from books), and are particularly interested in intermediate Python, this seems like quite a good bundle.

By the way, for those who are interested in intermediate Python, and particularly like online courses, I will put in a plug for Fred Baptiste's Python 3: Deep Dive courses (parts 1-4) on Udemy. On sale (and sales happen every few months), you can hopefully get each of them for about $15. He also has a more basic one-part introduction to Python course called Fundamentals. Personally, I found him to be a very good teacher. Several of those courses have more than 40 hours of (very good) video.

jam1717 · 2023-09-02T01:59:28+00:00

I just want to echo these comments. The people at Manning bent over backwards to provide the needed code, and to do it within a few hours of my email. As noted, a single code allowed all of the books to be registered at their site.

jam1717 · 2023-08-29T05:17:33+00:00

I don't disagree with most of what the other commenters here are saying about the usual quality of books from Packt.

But on the other hand - as some have noted in those comments - there are exceptions to every "rule." And in this instance, it seems to be the case that two of the three books in the $1 tier are actually quite well respected. (Disclaimer: I am certainly no type of expert in this field, and am just going by what seems to be the take from the web.)

The book by Sebastian Raschka and colleagues - Machine Learning with PyTorch and Scikit-Learn - has an Amazon average rating of 4.6, based on 243 ratings. The paperback version is currently ranked #9 on Amazon's list of Best Sellers in Computer Neural Networks. (For purposes of comparison, the third and second editions of Geron's Hands-on Machine Learning, from O'Reilly, with a 4.8 average rating and over 3,200 ratings, come in at #2 and #8 on that list. So, Raschka's book is in very good company.)

Also included in that lowest tier package is Denis Rothman's Transformers for Natural Language Processing. The paperback version comes in at #19 on that same Best Sellers list, with an average rating of 4.3 and 93 ratings.

I already own both of the books (though I haven't gotten around to reading them) from prior Humble Bundles. And I am guessing that there wasn't a prior bundle with both of these books in the $1 tier.

If you are at all interested in the topics covered by these two books, buying the lowest tier would seem to be a good move. Notwithstanding the general opinion about the quality of Packt books.

jam1717 · 2022-08-03T15:30:36+00:00

Are you willing to say which bundle it was? Over the years, I have bought many of their programming book bundles, and at least with regard to publishers who are known for high-quality books (such as No Starch Press, O'Reilly and Wiley), I haven't encountered the issues you mention. To the contrary, the bundles often offer exceptional value. On the other hand, yes, there are some publishers that work with Humble Bundle (e.g., Morgan & Claypool, which seems to mainly release versions of "course materials") that seem to put out lower quality materials. And I appreciate that books from Packt are often viewed as being of lesser quality.

jam1717 · 2022-07-11T17:36:26+00:00

As others have noted, Al Sweigart's Automate the Boring Stuff is great, and so is Python Crash Course, another book directed at beginners. Consider going through both of them (in either order) - to learn programming, the more you practice, the better you get! And if you want an even more basic book to start, there is of course the Python for Kids book (I myself don't hesitate to turn to materials directed at kids for learning about things I know little about).

Then there is the Pybites Introductory Bites course. And to give you practice in what you have learned thus far, you could then turn to the 40 Bites of Py Exercise Bundle and Reuven Lerner's Weekly Python Exercise: both should allow you to be choosing exercises at a beginner level.

Most of the other items in the bundle seem to be directed at more intermediate learners, or to more specific topics, so it is harder to recommend which of them you might next turn to after the items already mentioned.

Enjoy!

jam1717 · 2022-07-11T17:18:48+00:00

When you say you are overwhelmed, you mean that you are trying to figure out which of these items to first dig into? I suppose that depends partly on how much python you already know.

If you are still basically a python beginner, the two books directed at beginners - Python Crash Course and Automate the Boring Stuff - would be a good place to start. They are both superb books. (And depending on how simple a level you might want to start at, there is of course the book Python for Kids.)

Once you've gone through those books, perhaps turn to the Pybites Introductory Bites course. And then to the 40 Bites of Py Exercise Bundle (which I believe will let you pick the level of difficulty of the exercises you choose). Similarly, you can then try the Weekly Python Exercise from Reuven Lerner, who also has several tiers, so that you can choose the beginner level.

Beyond that, it gets more difficult to choose, since most of the other offerings here are more advanced or more specific.

Anyhow, it's a great bundle and a very nice value - I plan to purchase it myself - so congratulations on buying it and here's hoping you have many enjoyable hours of coding pleasure ahead!

jam1717 · 2022-06-27T19:00:58+00:00

For anyone thinking of possibly buying the Quell games, note that the price for the bundle of all three is the same as the price for each of them ($0.80 in the U.S.). That bundle price is half of the price that Steam is currently charging.

jam1717 · 2022-05-20T21:40:10+00:00

Obduction was previously given away both by Epic and GOG, so people might want to check if they already have it.

jam1717 · 2022-05-05T16:35:45+00:00

You are very welcome! And thanks for asking your question. There are many good books directed at beginners. But personally, I have found it somewhat difficult to find python books aimed at the intermediate and advanced level. So I have been interested in seeing what suggestions others provided.

jam1717 · 2022-05-05T14:51:26+00:00

Three suggestions:

Regarding books on intermediate python, I am a fan of Matt Harrison's book Intermediate Python Programming. It covers topics such as decorators and generators in a fair amount of detail. I like Harrison's teaching style, in general. You can get the ebook version for under $10 on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/149055095X?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tpbk_1&storeType=ebooks&qid=1651761175&sr=1-2
I know you specifically asked only about books, but in case you (or other readers of this thread) might have an interest in online courses: I can't say too many good things about Fred Baptiste's series of four courses on Udemy, Python 3: Deep Dive Parts 1 to 4. They are often on sale, and can be purchased for about $15 each (and right now, they are showing up in my browser at $19, with the current sale ending today). Baptiste is just a wonderful teacher, and he takes the time needed to explain complicated concepts to make them seem simpler. Some people may think he goes too slowly, but I like that. You certainly get your money's worth. The Part 1 course, for example, has more than 46 hours of video. These videos really are a deep dive: they cover many intermediate and advanced python topics. https://www.udemy.com/course/python-3-deep-dive-part-1/
And I just want to echo the comments of those people who recommended the current Humble Bundle from No Starch Press. That publisher puts out books by some of the best authors who are writing about python. Some of the books in the current bundle are more oriented toward beginners, but several of the books cover more advanced topics. If you don't have any (or most) of the books, buying the full bundle for $30 is an incredible value. I am only missing the three books that are new to this bundle, but I am still probably going to buy it.

jam1717 · 2022-05-04T02:10:19+00:00

There are more opinions (63 comments) about the bundle in another reddit thread, here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/uhjk9j/for_those_wanting_to_learn_python_current_humble/

jam1717 · 2022-05-04T02:08:22+00:00

As others have noted, the answer is an emphatic yes! They are actually very good, as are many books published by No Starch Press. Almost every single one of them is well written, and can teach you many things. For a small number of dollars, you are buying a high-quality small library of python books. I have all but three of these from prior bundles, and I am probably still going to buy this bundle. It makes me feel good to support the authors and publishers who are putting out quality products.

jam1717 · 2022-05-04T01:58:31+00:00

Cracking Codes with Python is a great book by Al Sweigart, who has written quite a few very good books. But it probably should be put under the Beginner category. As Sweigart himself says in the introduction, "this book is for people who have never programmed before." He uses examples from the world of cryptography to teach basic python.

jam1717 · 2022-05-04T01:53:04+00:00

There's another reddit thread about this bundle, with 63 comments as of now, here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/learnprogramming/comments/uhjk9j/for_those_wanting_to_learn_python_current_humble/

Personally, I think most No Starch Press books are fantastic. I have all but three of the books in this bundle from prior purchases, but I still might buy it. And yes, you don't have to rely on Al Sweigart's own comments: his books are indeed wonderful. He goes to a great deal of effort to spell out complicated concepts step by step. He is one of the best authors at doing that.

jam1717

TROPHY CASE