Introductory Material on Python

What is Python?
Executive summary, with pointers for further reading.
What is Python?
Another executive summary, by Guido van Rossum.
An Introduction to Python
One page overview, with pointers for further reading.
The first chapter of Aaron Watters' Python book
(Internet Programming with Python; out of print) lists many things you can do with Python and many reasons why you should use it.
Getting started with Python
A SunWorld Online article broadly introducing Python.
Python: Yet Another Object Oriented Interpretive Scripting Language
Longer overview by Enno Davids, presented in the AUUG Victorian Chapter Technical Conference, 1997.
Glue It All Together With Python
Guido sells Python to the object components community.
Python anyone?
by Robert Richardson starts with comparing Python to Perl (``just another scripting language beginning with "P"?'') but quickly switches to selling Python in its own right.
Why Python?
Eric Raymond explains why Python is his favorite programming language.
Python Quick Reference
For various Python versions.

Python compared to other languages
A collection of pointers to documents comparing Python to Perl, Java, Tcl, Scheme...
Comparing Python to Other Languages
Guido's personal views on Python vs. other languages.

Instant Hacking
Learn how to program with Python. By Magnus Lie Hetland.
A Non-Programmer's Tutorial for Python
By Josh Cogliati.
Learning to Program
An introduction to programming for those who have never programmed before, by Alan Gauld. It introduces several programming languages but has a strong emphasis on Python.
How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
Allen Downey's open source book has a Python version. With Jeff Elkner. (Also at Andamooka.)
Learn to Program using Python
A tutorial by Richard Baldwin.

Getting Started With Python
In Sunworld Online, by Cameron Laird and Kathryn Soraiz. Great to get a quick taste of Python.
An Introduction to Python
From Linux Journal Issue 21, by Jeff Bauer. Good to get started.
Instant Python
A 6-page minimal crash course by Magnus Lie Hetland.
Python Programming for Beginners
This article is a practical introduction to writing non-trivial applications in Python. By Jacek Artymiak.
Python for Science
By Konrad Hinsen.
Python Short Course
By Richard P. Muller, Caltech.

Python Tutorial
In the standard documentation, by Guido van Rossum. A classic.
The What, Why, Who and Where of Python
In UnixWorld Online, by Aaron Watters. Also a classic.
Appendix E of Mark Lutz' Python book (Programming Python)
Not available online, but chances are that you own the book and hadn't noticed this appendix!
Dive Into Python
A free Python tutorial for experienced programmers by Mark Pilgrim.
Scripting course by Hans Petter Langtangen
A CS course on scripting that spans a wide range: why scripting, Perl vs. Python, intro to Python, regular expressions, Tkinter, CGI.