The Chicken from Minsk: And 99 Other Infuriatingly Challenging Brain Teasers from the Great Russian Tradition of Math and Science [Paperback]

Yuri Chernyak (Author), Robert M. Rose (Author), Robert M. Rose se (Author), Yuri B. Chernyak (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995

A collection of puzzles and brainteasers ranging from tricky but solvable, to excruciatingly difficult. Every problem comes with a clue or two; most are illustrated; all have answers and many include background as to how and where they originated. This book should show you how much you have forgotten since school, animate dinner parties, infuriate friends and generally bring health, wealth and a feeling of well-being to all who possess it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A trade paper original of brainteasers isn't Basic's usual publication; but works from the Russian traditions of math and science provide the foundation for a fine collection which invites even the most avid buff to partake. Some problems are just tricky; others are nearly impossible to solve. All are satisfyingly complex. -- Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher

The brainy and infuriatingly fun-to-solve problems that have kept the best Russian math and physics students biting their pencils as far back as the time of the czars.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465071279
• ISBN-13: 978-0465071272
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,270,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Chicken from Minsk really gives your brain a workout..., June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Chicken from Minsk: And 99 Other Infuriatingly Challenging Brain Teasers from the Great Russian Tradition of Math and Science (Paperback)

As a survivor of the course based on this book and taught by Yuri himself at MIT, I must say that The Chicken from Minsk was a true challenge. The great thing about it is that it builds critical thinking skills while making even the nastiest math and physics (shall I dare say?) fun!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ever so much fun for the curious of all ages..., December 29, 1995

By A Customer

This review is from: The Chicken from Minsk: And 99 Other Infuriatingly Challenging Brain Teasers from the Great Russian Tradition of Math and Science (Paperback)

The former Soviet Union had a much more mathematically rigerous tradition in physics than did the rest of the world. These problems are word problems, and they will make you sweat. Ideal for the curious of all ages, but especially for teens, to keep their curiosity alive. I think highly of this book-gave 7 copies away this holliday season.

5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging & Fun, September 22, 2010

By 

Mr. K. Wright (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Chicken from Minsk: And 99 Other Infuriatingly Challenging Brain Teasers from the Great Russian Tradition of Math and Science (Paperback)

A thoroughly challenging and thought provoking series of 100 maths and physics based problems to solve. If you thought De Bono's parallel thinking was good or fun then try this book to see how good your mathematical and problem solving prowess really is.