While some of the points he makes are good, I'm not so sure about the complaints that the first programs are too horrendously complicated. I mean, yes they are, but presumably that's the philosophy of the book (which I admit I haven't read).

I can see some value in the idea that someone beginning Python should start off by being exposed to some of the more esoteric but long-term useful features of the language (exceptions etc) which would otherwise be shoved into a late chapter in the book which most readers would never actually bother to read.