find_max with list

find_max.py

# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
from __future__ import absolute_import, unicode_literals


def find_max(iterable):
    lst = list(iterable)
    if len(lst) == 0:
        raise Exception('Not possible finding max of empty')

    def find_iter(current_max):
        if lst:
            current = lst.pop()
            return find_iter(
                current_max if current_max >= current else current)
        return current_max

    return find_iter(lst.pop())


print(find_max(range(3)))