Customer Reviews

The Canterbury Puzzles (Dover Recreational Math)

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I have owned this classic for a long time and often return to it for amusement. The degree of difficulty of the puzzles ranges from the trivial to mathematics degree standard and it's not always easy to tell in advance how hard each puzzle is.
It is very satisfying to get one of the puzzles right and reading Dudeney's ingenious solutions to the harder puzzles is a pleasure in its own right. One answer is calculated to 58 decimal places - not easy without a calculator unless you are HE Dudeney.
I would recommend other recreational maths books such as Martin Gardner's ahead of this one, but if you're into tricky puzzles this is certainly worth buying.

Henry Dudeney (1847-1930) was one of the inventors of mathematical puzzles. This little book can be considered a fun educational math book to encourage the use of logic and visual skills. I do not feel that this book is for those who are weak in mathematics. Although, it could be used as a tool to expand one's mind in that area. And if all else falls-the answers are in the back of the book. I found it to be a fun book.