The Greatest Puzzles of All Time [Paperback]

Matthew J. Costello (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Grade Level: 6 and up

Challenging collection includes some of the world’s most perplexing brain-teasers by such masters as Sam Loyd, Johnny Eck and Henry Dudeney. Also, the stories behind the creation of the puzzles, the world’s earliest riddles, the birth of the crossword puzzle, much more. Introduction. 146 illus.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Dover ed edition (September 16, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486292258
• ISBN-13: 978-0486292250
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compendium of puzzles--if there ever was one., May 14, 2010

By 

J. Guild (Toronto,Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greatest Puzzles of All Time (Paperback)

Although this book is under 200 pages;it is an excellent overview of the world of puzzles.The author has written many books on a wide range of subjects,both fictional and non-fictional,and has done a lot work in film and TV.Somewhat surprisingly,he has also written this book on puzzles as well as a similar book on Games.Much of what you will find in this book will be familiar to anyone who has had a longtime interest in puzzles of various types.He has done considerable research and spent time with some of the best known names today in puzzles.He delves into the history,background and legends of some of the best known puzzles that have entertained and challenged puzzelists over the centuries.Whether it is the Ancients or more recent people like Lewis Carroll,Sam Loyd,Henry Dudeney,Houdini,Johnny Eck,Jerry Slocum,Rubik and many other Puzzle creators or puzzles such as Crosswords,Magic Squares,Hidden Pictures,Optical Illusions,Sliding Block,Matchstick and Coin puzzles,Hoaxes,Mazes,Vanishing Objects,Word Puzzles,Tangrams,Hand-Held,3-D or Mechanical Puzzles;you are going to meet up with them all in this book,and learn many interesting things about all of them.
As well there are a good number of puzzles included to test your patience and skills;most of them having been challenging people for generations.If you get stuck,you'll find solutions provided.
The fact that this book has been published by at least three different publishers and editions,attests to its popularity.Wherever your puzzle interests happen to be;you are sure to find things of interest to you;and you may even find some types of puzzles that you have not encountered before.As much as the puzzles themselves,the personalities and stories behind them will be very interesting to learn about.
The Book is profusely illustrated with 106 line illustrations and 40 halftones.While the line illustrations are excellent;the halftones leave something to be desired.Puzzles 1-4 and 1-5 in Chapter 1;and Puzzles 11-1 and 11-5 in Chapter are presented with halftones so poor, that attempts to solve them are virtually pointless.
To anyone new to this world of puzzles,this book will serve as a wonderful introduction and will give you a lot of information on puzzles,puzzle creators,classic puzzle books and many other introductions to the entertainment and challenges on can find with puzzles.