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Jerry Slocum
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The 15 Puzzle Book: How it Drove the World Crazy Hardcover – Download: Adobe Reader, June 1, 2006

by Jerry Slocum (Author), Dic Sonneveld (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
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The 15 Puzzle Book contains an illustrated history of one of the most popular and important mechanical puzzles of all time. It can be argued that the 15 Puzzle in 1880 had the greatest impact on American and European society of any mechanical puzzle the world has ever known. Books by famous mathematicians tell that a deaf mute invented the 15 Puzzle but other sources claim it was invented by Sam Loyd, who Martin Gardner called, "America's greatest puzzle designer." Or has Sam Loyd, who claimed to invent the puzzle, continued to fool the world for more than 100 years?

The true story of the puzzle is told here for the first time:
- The real inventor and his patent application records were found.
- The story of how the puzzle came to be manufactured.
- Proof that the 15 Puzzle is mathematically impossible to solve.
- How a young New Yorker solved it.
- The worldwide puzzle craze that it created.

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  1. Print length
    144 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Slocum Puzzle Foundation
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 2006
  5. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.75 x 10.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1890980153
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1890980153
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Sam Loyd's claim he invented The 15 Puzzle was a total lie... The research by the authors is awesome. -- Martin Gardner, letter Feb. 11, 2006

This is a monumental work which resolves one of the great historical puzzles of puzzledom. -- Professor David Singmaster, letter March 3, 2006

This is a visual delight iand sets incredible new standards in historical research about the world's fascinating puzzles. -- Professor Don Knuth, Stanford, letter Feb. 10, 2006

Review

"This is a book that everyone interested in puzzles will enjoy."

(Will Shortz, New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor from the Foreword)

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Slocum Puzzle Foundation (June 1, 2006)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1890980153
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1890980153
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.75 x 10.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 4 ratings

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Jerry Slocum

Jerry Slocum

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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
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4 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Steven Faas
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource on a great puzzle
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2011
Verified Purchase
I agree with the previous reviewers on the content of the book. It is very informative and provides a wealth of details and little known facts about the puzzle and it's real inventor. This is an absolutely beautiful book from the cover to the abundance of pictures and art of the fifteen puzzle. It is richly illustrated. I was a little hesitant to buy it at first because of the price but I am very glad I did. The history is interesting and it's a great addition to my collection of puzzles and puzzle books. I've since bought other puzzle books by Jerry Slocum, one of the best is The Cube. If you're interested in puzzles and their history you can't go wrong with Jerry Slocum's books.
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Shel Natowsky
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
All top notch!
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Jerry Guild
5.0 out of 5 stars Slocum comes up with another winner!
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2006
Whenever you see Jerry Slocum and any of his associates,in this case Dic Sonneveld,involved in something; you can count on it being First Class.

This new book is simply delightful for any puzzle lover. They take one of the most common of all puzzles,The 15 Puzzle,and show that it has a background that arguably makes it the most popular puzzle craze of all time.

The book is a great read,filled with everything about the puzzle; from its creation,and how it took the whole world by storm. Much of what the book covers is unknown to many who love puzzles and have seen this puzzle from the days we first became interested in them. Most of us had never imagined what an intriguing history it has had.

Their search of everything written about the puzzle would take many years for one to attempt on their own; but here in this book,they give it all to us to enjoy.

The book is loaded with excellent and rare photos and illustrations of the people,newspaper clippings,and puzzles from the worlds finest collections. They have run down all the legends and things said about the puzzle over the years and sorted out the fact from fiction; a major puzzle in itself.

They show why the puzzle,with all the tiles in their proper locations,except for 14 and 15 reversed; cannot be solved. This was the problem that created the frenzy in 1880; and made it "The Greatest Puzzle of All Time".

The book also includes several puzzle arrangements to challenge you; along with solutions.

There are excellent references at the back which will be a treasure for anyone who wants to dig further. As much as anyone thinks they know about the 15 Puzzle; this book will be a fascinating eye opener; and it is unlikely they will ever look at this little gem of a puzzle the same way again.

I have been a puzzle fan for over 50 years and have over 500 puzzle books in my library; however,I have no hesitation in saying this will become one of my favorites. I am sure I will pull it out many times to thumb through it in the future.

The highest quality of paper,printing,color and overall construction has gone into its manufacture and it is sure to become a classic among puzzle books.

There is another excellent aspect of this book,that is not at first obvious. Even if someone is not particularly interested in puzzles; they will find it does an excellent job of showing how a "craze" gets started and takes off like a firestorm. We have all seen it with things like Yo-Yos,Hula-Hoops,Pet Rocks.Rubik's Cubes;and the latest,Sudoku Puzzles.

The 15 Puzzle is surely a great example,and even after 125 years,it is still one of the most common of all puzzles.

An excellent treat for yourself or for anyone who likes puzzles.
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