Crossword Puzzle Challenges for Dummies (Paperback)

~ Patrick Berry (Author)
Key Phrases: gridmaking software, first theme entry, sneaky clues, Gallery of Crosswords, Crossword Puzzle Challenges For Dummies Puzzle, Star Trek (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…guaranteed to furrow your brow and set your mind in a tailspin…” (Good Book Guide, June 2004)

Product Description

Eight bonus chapters explain how to construct your own puzzles!

Open the book for a brand-new collection of brain-twisting puzzles

Looking for a crossword challenge? All you have to do is open the book, sharpen your pencil (or, hot shot, uncap your pen), and get ready to match wits with Patrick Berry, one of today’s top puzzle constructors. You get 70 all-new crosswords that are guaranteed to test your puzzle-solving skills -- plus a special bonus section that shows you how to create (and sell) your own challenging crosswords.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• The secrets of crossword construction
• How to craft a memorable puzzle theme, from quotes to reversals and rebuses
• The tricks to designing and filling a grid
• An insider’s guide to writing great clues
• Ten top markets for crossword puzzles

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (March 26, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764556223
• ISBN-13: 978-0764556227
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #154,922 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for aspiring constructors, July 14, 2008

By	Larry S - See all my reviews

Don't be misled by this book's title. I started constructing crossword puzzles about 18 months ago. I've read everything I could find about constructing. If you only read one book, this is the one I would recommend. Patrick Berry is a highly regarded constructor, and he does a great job of explaining what goes into the making of professional level puzzles.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising!, August 25, 2007

By	W. A. Carpenter (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

An excellent book with wonderful puzzles by Mr. Berry. Lots of helpful suggestions for constructors as well.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great puzzles!, May 29, 2009

By	Michael (Garrett Park, MD United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

The title is completely misleading. Not only is this book totally NOT for dummies, but the text of the book is really about puzzle constructing, not solving. Actually, it's more like two books. In the first book you get 70 great crossword puzzles, of increasing difficulty. I'm up to number 20, and I'd say it's about NYT Wednesday to Thursday difficulty. So, you get at last 40 puzzles above NYT Thursday level, definitely not dummy stuff! The other book is a treatise on crossword puzzle construction, a fascinating read even if all you do is solve puzzles.