def read_column(self, col, **keys):
res = self.read_columns([col], **keys)<EOL>colname = res.dtype.names[<NUM_LIT:0>]<EOL>data = res[colname]<EOL>self._maybe_trim_strings(data, **keys)<EOL>return data<EOL>
Read the specified column

Alternatively, you can use slice notation
    fits=fitsio.FITS(filename)
    fits[ext][colname][:]
    fits[ext][colname][2:5]
    fits[ext][colname][200:235:2]
    fits[ext][colname][rows]

Note, if reading multiple columns, it is more efficient to use
read(columns=) or slice notation with a list of column names.

parameters
----------
col: string/int,  required
    The column name or number.
rows: optional
    An optional set of row numbers to read.
vstorage: string, optional
    Over-ride the default method to store variable length columns.  Can
    be 'fixed' or 'object'.  See docs on fitsio.FITS for details.