I guess the question is what do you mean by advanced topics? What direction do you want to go in? The latter book you mentioned seems to cover a number of topics and is probably a good bet.

If you are interested in the web, both these books were good: http://www.amazon.com/Python-Web-Programming-Steve-Holden/dp... http://www.amazon.com/The-Definitive-Guide-Django-Developmen...

Here are a few books that cover some "advanced?" topics that I'd like to read when I have time (would also like to hear other peoples' recommendations on them): http://www.amazon.com/Python-Data-Analysis-Wes-McKinney/dp/1... http://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Network-Programming-Essentials... http://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Python-Network-Programming... http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Tornado-Michael-Dory/dp/1... http://onlinebookplace.com/programming-computer-vision-with-...

I'm not sure on your background or the quality of these books, but an understanding of data structures, algorithms, and object oriented programming could be considered important: http://www.amazon.com/Data-Structures-Algorithms-Using-Pytho... http://www.amazon.com/Python-Algorithms-Mastering-Language-E... http://www.amazon.com/Python-3-Object-Oriented-Programming/d...

Although these and other intermediate to advanced topics tend to be covered better in non-language-specific books such as this shotgun blast to the head. Don't worry, it's just an "introduction": http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Algorithms-Thomas-H-Corme...

The python tutor mailing list is quite good.

Alan Gault Tutorial and book are good http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld/tutcont.htm here is the actual book: http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Program-Using-Python-Self-Starte...

Dive into python is nice as well http://diveintopython.org/

Best way to learn is install python, work through some examples, and then work on a project.

Holden's book is good for a web beginner http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Landmark-Steve-Hold...