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Ben Tausig
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The Curious History of the Crossword: 100 Puzzles from Then and Now (Volume 1) (Puzzlecraft, 1) Paperback – November 27, 2013

by Ben Tausig (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
2013 marks the 100th anniversary of the crossword puzzle. Journalist Arthur Wynne had wanted to devise a new game for the back of the newspaper back in 1913, so he created a diamond grid and called it a “Word-Cross,” and thus the first crossword puzzle was born.
 Editor and crossword constructor Ben Tausig examines the curious history of the world’s most addictive game and its unusual upbringing. Accompanied by 100 unique and challenging puzzles from the past 100 years, he examines the evolution of grid shape, how basic expected knowledge of the reader has changed, the puzzles that break the “breakfast table rule” and more. Featuring puzzles from top constructors like Will Shortz, Brendan Emmett Quigley, Matt Jones, Cathy Millhauser, Maura Jacobson, and more. Try your pen or pencil on the crosswords your parents, grandparents, or great grandparents did decades ago!

The Puzzlecraft series from Wellfleet Press tackles some of the greatest conundrums of our time. Learn how to navigate the world’s trickiest mazes, solve the most complex crosswords, and finally get the answer to “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Follow literature’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, as he guides you through hundreds of challenging cross-fitness brain exercises inspired by his most popular cases and adventures. You can also train your memory to perform better and learn the meanings behind your own personality traits or the traits of others. These handy and portable paperbacks are sized perfectly to travel, whether on vacation or just for your daily commute. The intricately designed covers and bold colors will capture your attention as much as the engaging content inside.
 
Other titles in the series include: The Curious History of Mazes; The Curious History of the Riddle; Escape from Sherlock Holmes; Sherlock Holmes Puzzles: Code Breakers; Sherlock Holmes Puzzles: Math & Logic Games; Sherlock Holmes Puzzles: Visual Puzzles; Sherlock Holmes Puzzles: Lateral Brain Teasers; Solving Sherlock Homes; Solving Sherlock Holmes Volume II; Maximize Your Memory; and The Book of Personality Tests.
 
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  1. Part of series
    Puzzlecraft
  2. Print length
    192 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Race Point Publishing
  5. Publication date
    November 27, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1937994457
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1937994457
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The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ben Tausig is the author of Penguin Classics Crossword Puzzles, Gonzo Crosswords, and Crosswords from the Underground: 72 Puzzles from Alternative Newspapers. He is a freelance puzzle constructor living in New York City. He creates a weekly feature called "Ink Well" distributed in alternative weeklies across the continent in addition to editing a puzzle entitled avxwords.com. He has a PhD in Ethnomusicology.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Race Point Publishing
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 27, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ CSM
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1937994457
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1937994457
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.55 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.75 x 9 inches
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Puzzlecraft
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 72 ratings

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Ben Tausig

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
72 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a perfect gift for crossword puzzle lovers and appreciate its content about the history of these puzzles, noting that the old ones are particularly challenging. The book receives positive feedback for its readability, though some customers find it almost unreadable.

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10 customers mention "Gift value"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book makes a great gift, particularly for crossword puzzle enthusiasts, with one mentioning it was a big hit at Christmas for their daughter.

"Was the favorite gift for my crossword-loving dad. He was so excited!" Read more

"Purchased as a gift, person said it was nice." Read more

"Purchased as a gift and well received. Would definitely recommend." Read more

"This was another big hit at Christmas for my daughter. She had watched a program..." Read more

10 customers mention "Puzzle difficulty"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the puzzles in this book, finding them both interesting and challenging, with one customer noting it's great for crossword enthusiasts.

"...has everything a crossword nut would love: interesting facts and fun puzzles. To boot, the book is beautiful. Kudos to Ben Tausig." Read more

"...She said that she is learning a lot of interesting facts about the history of crossword puzzles and is finding the old puzzles challenging...." Read more

"...it contains many puzzles of all levels of difficulty. it's a book not just for crossword puzzle buffs, but one i think anyone would enjoy...." Read more

"...it was great to have a variety of old puzzles to solve." Read more

9 customers mention "Enjoyment"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book very enjoyable and really like it.

"I loved everything about this book. I started crosswords 9 years ago to ward off "chemo" brain and got hooked...." Read more

"...a page Turner, avid crossword solvers will find this book an interesting read and worth the money...." Read more

"...Very enjoyable." Read more

"Gift for husband who is lifelong crossword puzzler. He really likes this book and is enjoying it in all the features." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the book difficult to read, with some describing it as almost unreadable.

"While a bit light on text (though there's probably not much more to say about the history of the puzzle), it was great to have a variety of old..." Read more

"...several of the included puzzles we're so small as to make them almost unreadable, making the puzzles nothing more than added space for the book." Read more

"...I had to use a magnifying glass and even then some of the clues were too blurred to read...." Read more

"Hard to read..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mima
    5.0 out of 5 stars Crossword nut
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I loved everything about this book. I started crosswords 9 years ago to ward off "chemo" brain and got hooked. This book has everything a crossword nut would love: interesting facts and fun puzzles. To boot, the book is beautiful. Kudos to Ben Tausig.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • c'est la vieee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Was the favorite gift for my crossword-loving dad. He was so excited!
    Helpful
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  • Jeremy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting history and challenging puzzles
    Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book for my aunt who is an avid crossword puzzler. She really is enjoying it! She said that she is learning a lot of interesting facts about the history of crossword puzzles and is finding the old puzzles challenging. Just what I was looking for!
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Julie M Randall
    4.0 out of 5 stars a fun book
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    this is an interesting book about the history of crossword puzzles. it contains many puzzles of all levels of difficulty. it's a book not just for crossword puzzle buffs, but one i think anyone would enjoy. i recommend it.
    Helpful
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  • akakii
    5.0 out of 5 stars A nice review of the past hundred years
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    While a bit light on text (though there's probably not much more to say about the history of the puzzle), it was great to have a variety of old puzzles to solve.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Ed
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Although not exactly a page Turner, avid crossword solvers will find this book an interesting read and worth the money. The negatives I found however, we're that the clues to several of the included puzzles we're so small as to make them almost unreadable, making the puzzles nothing more than added space for the book.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • David Slutzky
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Gift Idea
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this for my father, who has always been a crossword puzzle addict. Sunday NYT and anything else. He also loves history. This book does not disappoint on either front.
    One person found this helpful
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  • AP
    5.0 out of 5 stars She has enjoyed it very much
    Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased this book as a gift for a friend who is an avid Crossworder. She has enjoyed it very much. If you are in to crossword puzzles or if you are just interested in the history of things, this is the book for you.
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • John-H-L-Watson_111
    5.0 out of 5 stars crossward Heaven
    Reviewed in Canada on August 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    these are hard but worth the effore
    Report
  • mark
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    bought as pressie so seems good yet to find out
    Report