diff --git src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py
index 32b4f36..ba74687 100644
--- src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py
+++ src/optional/python-bindings/gnucash_core.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class Session(GnuCashCoreClass):
     Invoice..) is associated with a particular book where it is stored.
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, book_uri=None, is_new=False, ignore_lock=False):
+    def __init__(self, book_uri=None, is_new=False, ignore_lock=False, force_new=False):
         """A convienent contructor that allows you to specify a book URI,
         begin the session, and load the book.
 
@@ -80,6 +80,9 @@ class Session(GnuCashCoreClass):
 
         ignore_lock is passed to qof_session
 
+        force_new is passed to qof_session_begin as the
+        argument force.
+
         This function can raise a GnuCashBackendException. If it does,
         you don't need to cleanup and call end() and destroy(), that is handled
         for you, and the exception is raised.
@@ -87,7 +90,7 @@ class Session(GnuCashCoreClass):
         GnuCashCoreClass.__init__(self)
         if book_uri is not None:
             try:
-                self.begin(book_uri, ignore_lock, is_new)
+                self.begin(book_uri, ignore_lock, is_new, force_new)
                 if not is_new:
                     self.load()
             except GnuCashBackendException, backend_exception:
