I finished Violent Python a couple days ago and was amused by the possibilities presented in the book, but it in general teaches execution instead of theory.

Looking to dig deeper into protocols described in the book, I just started reading Foundations of Python Network Programming and it seems to be providing that a more theoretical understanding of networking protocols that are so central to many modern hacks:

http://www.amazon.com/Foundations-Python-Network-Programming...

I made a small open-source IRC botnet incorporating some modules from code in the book: https://github.com/nikisweeting/python-medusa. Feel free to check it out!

Non affiliate amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1597499579

I bought a copy a few weeks ago. I haven't read much yet, but so far so good.

Anyone know of similar books on the subject using Python?

Gray Hat Python is not bad: http://www.amazon.com/Gray-Hat-Python-Programming-Engineers/...

Not a book - but SecurityTube has a Python course[1] that covers a variety of security topics.

Haven't done it so I've no idea how good / bad it is. There is a detailed listing of what it aims to cover in the link.

[1] - http://www.securitytube-training.com/online-courses/security...

There's also http://pyvideo.org which you can search for security-related topics. I doubt they are as dense and comprehensive as the SecurityTube course, but they are free.

For anyone else curious, Andrew Johnson's letters are (I think):

OSCE https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_for_Security_and_...

OSCP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_Security_Certified_Pr...

GWAPT http://www.giac.org/certification/web-application-penetratio...

GPEN http://www.giac.org/certification/penetration-tester-gpen

GCIA http://www.giac.org/certification/certified-intrusion-analys...

GCIH http://www.giac.org/certification/certified-incident-handler...

GSEC http://www.giac.org/certification/security-essentials-gsec

CISSP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Information_Systems_S...

CEH http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Ethical_Hacker

eCPPT http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ELearnSecurity_Certified_Profes...

OSWP http://www.offensive-security.com/information-security-certi...

CCNA:S http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCNA_Security#Cisco_Certified_N...

MCSE:S Microsoft Ceritified Systems Engineer: Security, discontinued