Reverse a string in Python

There is no built in reverse function for Python's str object. What is the best way of implementing this method?

If supplying a very concise answer, please elaborate on its efficiency. For example, whether the str object is converted to a different object, etc.

Answer

How about:

>>> 'hello world'[::-1]
'dlrow olleh'

This is extended slice syntax. It works by doing [begin:end:step] - by leaving begin and end off and specifying a step of -1, it reverses a string.