I've been looking at learning Haskell for al the obvious reasons, but I've been put off by all the lengthy and detailed introductions to the syntax, and math oriented examples, that seem written by theoreticists.
What I would like (and in my opinion what Haskell needs to grow), is a more practical introduction, like doing a database conversion, or writing some network service. Syntax can be explained in passing. Does this exist?
Its not databases or network services but Write Yourself a Scheme in 48Hrs [1] is a more practical intro.
Aside from that I would recommend the cis194 Lectures [2] if you do feel ready to take a slightly more thorough top down approach. There are exercises for every almost every lecture and you can even peak at your digital neighbours to compare solutions [3].
[1]: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Write_Yourself_a_Scheme_in_48_...
[2]: http://www.seas.upenn.edu/~cis194/lectures.html
[3]: https://github.com/search?q=cis194&type=Everything&repo=&lan...
This is kind of the problem, though: Haskell is popular among people for whom "write Scheme in this language" is an example of a practical introduction. It frequently seems like a community of PLT experts talking with PLT apprentices, with the workaday concerns of 95% of practicing developers treated as an exercise to figure out on your own time.
This isn't a criticism of Haskell or Haskellers. It's more an observation that the current makeup of the Haskell community might prove to be a drag on its appeal.
I can't even remember the last time it was cold-suggested to somebody.
The last person I knew to do so, did so knowing they were going about it the "hard way". They also did it with the intent of actively upgrading/updating the code WYASI48H as they went into a more modern style. They gave a talk on it after.
It's a good way to firm up your knowledge if it's the sort of project that interests you, but needs love and isn't a good introduction for most.