Will Shortz's Favorite Crossword Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times [Paperback]

Will Shortz (Author), The New York Times (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2002

For the first time ever, Will Shortz personally selects 75 of his favorite puzzles from his tenure as editor of The New York Times crossword puzzles. Special commentary will appear along with each puzzle and give clever insight into the puzzle-solving world that Will Shortz dominates. Getting to know the background on these puzzles will add a new dimension for the growing number of crossword buffs. Also included is a special introduction written by Shortz that explains why these puzzles qualify as his favorites among the thousands of puzzles he has edited in his career. Since Will Shortz has become crossword editor of the Times, the puzzles have featured increased wordplay, and a hip, contemporary attitude towards crosswording.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Will Shortz's Favorite Crossword Puzzles is a must-have for any serious puzzler, and jolly good fun for anyone else."
- CNN.com

About the Author

Will Shortz has been the crossword puzzle editor of The New York Times since 1993. He is also the puzzlemaster on NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday and is founder and director of the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. He has edited countless books of crossword puzzles, Sudoku, KenKen, and all manner of brain-busters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031230613X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312306137
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diabolical, But Fair, December 10, 2003

By 

takingadayoff "takingadayoff" (Las Vegas, Nevada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Will Shortz's Favorite Crossword Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times (Paperback)

Six months ago I would have called every one of these puzzles unfair. The gimmicks and tricks are too hard! But that was before I became a crossword puzzle fan.

These are mostly challenging crosswords, all from the New York Times. There are a few Monday and Tuesday puzzles, but most are from Thursday-Saturday, the tough part of the week. And they are clever. It really makes you wonder (and admire) the kind of minds that can come up with such diabolical puzzles.

And now with almost half a year of New York Times crossword experience under my belt, I can say that all these puzzles are scrupulously fair. Will Shortz wouldn't have it any other way.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book of 75 gifts., October 29, 2003

By 

Tinmanic (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Will Shortz's Favorite Crossword Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times (Paperback)

Each crossword puzzle in this book is a treat. For the most part, they're not typical crosswords -- most of them contain a gimmick or some other characteristic that makes it unusual. As a bonus, Will Shortz introduces each puzzle with a few sentences explaining what's so great about it, so you almost feel like he's right there with you as you're working your way through the book. It must be difficult enough to create a crossword good enough to be published in the New York Times, so to go the extra step and construct a crossword extraordinary enough to be included in this book -- well, that's just an amazing feat.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Challenging Diversion, August 6, 2005

By 

Tina Hendricks "Recovering English Major" (Bellingham, Wash.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Will Shortz's Favorite Crossword Puzzles from the Pages of The New York Times (Paperback)

From easy to hard, these puzzles should keep you entertained. Some are funny, all are clever. Will Shortz's comments provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the world of puzzle making.