Sam Loyd's Cyclopedia of 5000 Puzzles tricks and Conundrums with Answers [Paperback]

Sam Loyd (Author)

Book Description

Sam Loyd (1841-1911) was the all time greatest inventor and developer of puzzles. He is described by Martin Gardner, the author of the "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American, as "America's greatest puzzlist and an authentic American genius". His fame is world wide and books of his puzzles have been published in Russian and many other languages. This book, Sam Loyd's Cyclopedia of 5,000 Puzzles Tricks & Conundrums with Answers, was compiled by his son and published in 1914 after his death. Although many books have been written about some of Loyd's puzzles, this remains the most complete volume of all of his puzzles. This is considered to be the most fabulous and exciting collection of puzzles ever assembled in one volume. The puzzles come with wonderful illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 388 pages
• Publisher: Ishi Press (March 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0923891781
• ISBN-13: 978-0923891787
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,147,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loyd's legacy, July 20, 2006

By 

C. Johnson (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sam Loyd's Cyclopedia of 5000 puzzles, tricks and conundrums: With answers (Hardcover)

This book is so full of atmosphere of the USA prior to WW 1, with its thousands of puzzles, sly problems and riddles, that there is nothing like it, and never will be due to racial overtones. This is not intentional slurs, but instead how things were at the time, and illuminates what US citizens saw in their daily paper. I guess it could be censored "for clarity", as were the thin Dover books with their extracted, cleaned-up puzzles, but the genuine is the best, if read with understanding. Since the original book goes for close to $1000 in worn shape, seeing a good sharp reprint for around $10 is amazing- jump on it!

Loyd's Cyclopedia has been put into the public domain so you can now download all 384 large pages and print it yourself, but this would likely cost more than the Pinnacle edition anyway and you'd have no binding either. So if you see this review, and a copy is available, just buy it if it's at all affordable. You get an unforgettable tour of Loyd's massive talent with wonderful illustrations that will last you for literally decades.