To learn the language the free and online python tutorial is really all that you need to pick up the language and start writing apps. If you want a book, I've found Beginning Python from Apress to be an excellent reference and tutorial. Of course the best way to learn a language is to write code, thus I would recommend that you check out Boost.Python. If you have a C++ that needs to be a bit more flexible, Boost.Python can give you a good excuse to learn Python and get paid for it.
