Just posted part 2 If anyone cares
http://packetpushers.net/intro-python-network-automation-part-2/
Mainly deals with ciscoconfparse
Another reminder that I should start getting into Python :(
Any books or downloadable video courses you can recommend?
I did https://www.codecademy.com It doesn't take to long and it's a good starting point. (Free online interactive).
The packet pushers blogs I linked are setup to introduce you to network stuff at this point.
Many people like learn python the hard way. (free online)
Kirk Byers has a free and a paid class, you get videos every week or so, (At least that's how the paid ones worked). I wish I had known about it when I 1st started
https://pynet.twb-tech.com/