One of the best books I've seen is "Thinking in Python". Takes you from newbie
to advanced very easily and the book is available for free online. Just Google
it.

Bruce Eckel writes in a way
that even I can understand - although his "Using C++"
spends more time on my bookshelf than being read.
Perhaps "Thinking in Python" might help me decide
between Lazarus and Python for reprogramming
things that I wrote in Turbo Pascal many years ago.

I'd think either Lazarus or Python would do equally well for both new dev and
rewrites. Personally, I'd go with Python just because the community is bigger
and there seems to be more existing code than Lazarus.

Turbo Pascal huh? That was my first progamming language. Still have really great
memories of it.

However, all the comments I read on this particular
text (including ones from Bruce Eckel himself, clearly state this book isn't for
beginning programmers, which I am. Are there any other books you might
recommend? Several people recommended Python as a good starting point for
breaking into Linux programming.

Take a look at 'wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide'. I have
only whizzed through the headings to see what was there but it
looks interesting.

I think it could get you started and introduce you to other sources
of Python learning. My main interest is being able to write programs
that will run on different platforms without having to use emulators.

Full Circle Magazine has a regular programming in Python column and they
have several years of back issues. The best part is that it is free and
interesting.

http://fullcirclemagazine.org/

My son that programs in Python on the Internet for a living recommended
"Dive Into Python" to me
http://diveintopython.org/

However, currently I am using "Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner"
3rd edition (c) 2010. It covers Python 3. I got it on Amazon for the low
$20s, had to buy something else, something else I wanted anyway, to get free
shipping. The Amazon reviews were good. So far I am almost to page 100 of
about 450 and it has been working for me. Like Goldie Locks, not too fast,
not too slow but just right.

The PDF version of Dive Into Python is 327 pages. Learning something like a
programming course I prefer a printed book. My experience is E-books are
fine as a reference but as a course, to me it likes things and I don't seem
to learn as well.

Full Circle Magazine is running a series on learning Python, and is
re-publishing the series as stand-alone volumes.

http://fullcirclemagazine.org/

The series begins with "hello world," and every episode begins with an
application task.