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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781737514008 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Astrid Books |
| Publication date: | 12/14/2021 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 236 |
| File size: | 972 KB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
1) A puzzle a day keeps stale thinking at bay?
Jogging guru James Fixx (author of Games for the Superintelligent) believed that puzzles allow the mind to do its best work since crosswords offer new perspectives on problem solving in a controlled setting.
2) As the GNP goes down, sales of crossword puzzle magazines goes up?
The popularity of crossword puzzles enjoyed its best years during the Great Depression, after WW 2, and again during the recession of the 1980s when Games magazine appeared on the newsstand.
3) Crossword puzzle magazines are number one sellers at the newsstand?
Along with X-rated publications, puzzles are ever popular at the news agents. Crosswords never go out of date.
4) Carly Simon's dad was the first to publish a book of crosswords?
In 1923 Richard Schuster and his partner, Max Simon, decided to compile a crossword collection. It established their publishing house and continues as a series to this day.
5) According to California academic crosswords are a reliable way to sharpen your memory?
California State professor Robert Oliphant discovered that crossword puzzles are an effective tool for retaining good recall.
6) Watching Wheel of Fortune helps to hone your crossword solving skills?
The TV Show raises your awareness of which letters are more likely to appear.
7) Princess Margaret won a crossword contest?
The sister of Queen Elizabeth II sent in a correctly solved diagram and was selected as the grand winner. No word on whether Princes William or Harry share this interest.
8) Crossword puzzle solving is an effective vocabulary builder?
In the 1920s the NY Zoological Society acknowledged that many visitors were familiar with ANOA ("Celebes ox") and YAK ("Tibetan ox") thanks to crosswords.
9) The New York Times crossword puzzle is a Baby Boomer?
The daily crossword was born on September 11, 1950.
10) The crossword puzzle is a product of the 20th century?
An Englishman working at The NY World devised the game and published it on December 11, 1913.
What People are Saying About This
“One of the clearest, liveliest, most entertaining writers in the world of puzzles.”—Will Shortz
“While opening up a window into the unique world of those who write, edit, and obsessively solve crosswords, puzzle writer, editor and self-proclaimed "acrossionado" Arnot (What’s Gnu: History of the Crossword Puzzle) opens up a chest of insider secrets and solving tips worth the price of admission themselves. The title refers not to profanity, but a stable of commonly occurring crossword answers—“repeaters” to the insider—that form the foundation of nearly every standard crossword—and are cleverly highlighted, with an accompanying clue, throughout the text, equipping her readers with old-pro tools while keeping up a fleet, at times manic examination of the puzzle’s people and processes. Bouncing with little or no warning from topic to topic, Arnot comes across like a close friend finally given the green light to unload about a lifelong obsession. She wisely outlines her thoughts into chapter topics like geographical words, the occurrence of “E,” proper names, 3-letter words and crossword variations. Crossword fans should tear through this like a specimen from Monday’s New York Times, but Arnot’s enthusiasm alone could make anyone curious into a convert.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“This book isn’t just for crossword addicts. Writers of all stripes ... will enjoy this crash course in oft-overlooked words... And to the people who live their lives in tiny grids and lie awake struggling to locate the perfect word in the shadows of their minds, her book will be worth more than money alone.”—The Berkshire Eagle
“Arnot focuses on the four-letter word, ‘not the naughty ones,’ she explains, ‘but the cute, oddball four-letter words that grout the grids of American crosswords.’ These essential puzzle-fillers (and their typical clues) are woven through the text and listed in a handy appendix. For non-aficionados, the book offers a breezy history of the pastime, including tidbits about such word-puzzle enthusiasts as Norman Mailer, Russell Baker and Dick Cavett, who, she writes, ‘can take the letters of your name and come up with a quip using the same letters.’ From Richard A. Cavett, she notes, he produced ‘Catch It a Rare VD.’”—Washington Post
“The book is like a crash course in crossword puzzles and should appeal equally to veteran solvers and novices.”—Booklist