The Alien IQ Test [Paperback]

Clifford A. Pickover (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Designed to appeal to the legions of "X-Files" and "Dark Skies" fans--this puzzle book employs a unique storyline that makes it irresistible to all extraterrestrial buffs and offers an intriguing challenge: How would we fare if aliens put our intelligence to the test? Line drawings.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Imagine how aliens might test your intelligence. Certainly not with the same tests you took in school. They might give you something like this book--if they were extremely cool aliens. Clifford Pickover uses the storyline of an alien intelligence test to deliver one of the most refreshing puzzle books in years. You'll be tested on logic and general knowledge in most unexpected ways. Alongside the games are thought-provoking quotes pertaining to alien contact, the nature of reality, and our own knowledge of the universe. The result is a game book that's a little eerie, very witty, and utterly addictive.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; First Printing edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465001106
• ISBN-13: 978-0465001101
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #998,073 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

From my publisher:

Clifford A. Pickover received his Ph.D. from Yale University and is the author of over 30 books on such topics as computers and creativity, art, mathematics, black holes, religion, human behavior and intelligence, time travel, alien life, and science fiction.

Pickover is a prolific inventor with dozens of patents, is the associate editor for several journals, the author of colorful puzzle calendars, and puzzle contributor to magazines geared to children and adults.

WIRED magazine writes, "Bucky Fuller thought big, Arthur C. Clarke thinks big, but Cliff Pickover outdoes them both." According to The Los Angeles Times, "Pickover has published nearly a book a year in which he stretches the limits of computers, art and thought."
The Christian Science Monitor writes, "Pickover inspires a new generation of da Vincis to build unknown flying machines and create new Mona Lisas." Pickover's computer graphics have been featured on the cover of many popular magazines and on TV shows.

His web site, Pickover.Com, has received millions of visits. His Blog RealityCarnival.Com is one of his most popular sites.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Earth bound, but astronomically difficult, mind benders, March 26, 2000

By 

Charles Ashbacher (Marion, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Alien IQ Test (Paperback)

Disregarding the Earth encountering a planet-busting meteor, the most traumatic event that the human race could experience is to learn of the existence of an extra-terrestrial intelligence. Humans are more sensitive about the perceptions of their intelligence than any other characteristic. Which would make the knowledge of a species of superior intelligence the cause of an outbreak of planet-wide paranoia.
Pickover uses this as a premise to present a series of puzzles and create a little intellectual paranoia in his readers. Most of these puzzles are hard, although he does take pity and provide detailed solutions. Hopefully any alien in the same position will be as tolerant. And he also raises some very serious points of debate. What is the proper gift for an emissary from another planet? A human body part or a priceless Van Gogh? What one message would provide the most information to a human society attempting to rebuild a civilization? Which is more important, belief in God or the existence of God?
Once again, Pickover demonstrates his exceptional ability to pose unusual and challenging questions. Perhaps there is a grain of truth in the premise to the book.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievably Compelling. Strange. Fun., May 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Alien IQ Test (Paperback)

My friend is a school teacher and uses this book to get her students to think. It's a good puzzle book for all ages. Youngsters can attack some of the easier problems. Adults can try to tackle some of the harder problems. The fantastic alien artwork makes the book of special interest. Anyone who buys this mind-shattering book is sure to change the way they think about the people with whom we share this planet. Wild! My favorite puzzle is called "Survival on Arcturus." Try it.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you enjoy mind games?, February 11, 2005

By 

Dew - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Alien IQ Test (Math & Logic Puzzles) (Paperback)

I personally liked this book, but if you ask the rest of my family they would tell you it was great, it was annoying or ridiculous. So it really depends on whether you enjoy looking for solutions-not everything has just one right answer.

If you are the type of person who likes to look for a backdoor to a problem, then you will probably enjoy this book.