The Python Cookbook has been a great resource in both of the previous editions. I've been following Dave's pain in writing this on twitter, so I have no doubt that this one will be the same. This is a "must have" on any python hacker's bookshelf!
I'm looking for something like 'Effective C++' (but for Python of course): a collection of recipes and good practices that would allow an experienced programmer make a better use of the language.
I haven't used any edition of the Python cookbook, but I've used the Perl cookbook and it's just like you described. I have also heard and read that the O'Reilly cookbooks are known (famous even?) for being the kind of books that you described.
The best equivalent now is the language reference at python.org.