Provides a good tutorial on Python and lots of sample code for Internet applications. One of the co-authors is Guido van Rossum, the inventor of Python. Recommended, but due for a new edition. More of a reference than a tutorial. Come here when you can't find your question answered in any other documentation.
Most articles here are reasonably objective and balanced comparisons.
Always pick the right tool for the job. Often, Python is the right tool. Downloading Python for your platform. Both source code and binaries for a wide variety of platforms can be found there. However, if you are running a Linux distribution such as Debian or Red Hat it will be easier for you to obtain the appropriate package for your system from your distributor.