The Programming Python book is large and rather difficult to read sequentially. Pretty good as a reference when you want to learn some aspects on a particular subject, but it is not really a book for learning how to program in Python. The Learning Python book is a good sequential read, but lacks a whole lot in terms of breadth. Best read Learning first, and then use Programming as a reference.

Or you could do like admin and just use the freely available web resources to learn the language.