The Crossword Century

The Crossword Century PDF Author: Alan Connor
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 069815701X
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
A journalist and word aficionado salutes the 100-year history and pleasures of crossword puzzles Since its debut in The New York World on December 21, 1913, the crossword puzzle has enjoyed a rich and surprisingly lively existence. Alan Connor, a comic writer known for his exploration of all things crossword in The Guardian, covers every twist and turn: from the 1920s, when crosswords were considered a menace to productive society; to World War II, when they were used to recruit code breakers; to their starring role in a 2008 episode of The Simpsons. He also profiles the colorful characters who make up the interesting and bizarre subculture of crossword constructors and competitive solvers, including Will Shortz, the iconic New York Times puzzle editor who created a crafty crossword that appeared to predict the outcome of a presidential election, and the legions of competitive puzzle solvers who descend on a Connecticut hotel each year in an attempt to be crowned the American puzzle-solving champion. At a time when the printed word is in decline, Connor marvels at the crossword’s seamless transition onto Kindles and iPads, keeping the puzzle one of America’s favorite pastimes. He also explores the way the human brain processes crosswords versus computers that are largely stumped by clues that require wordplay or a simple grasp of humor. A fascinating examination of our most beloved linguistic amusement—and filled with tantalizing crosswords and clues embedded in the text—The Crossword Century is sure to attract the attention of the readers who made Word Freak and Just My Type bestsellers.

The Crossword Century

The Crossword Century PDF Author: Alan Connor
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 069815701X
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 208

Get Book

Book Description
A journalist and word aficionado salutes the 100-year history and pleasures of crossword puzzles Since its debut in The New York World on December 21, 1913, the crossword puzzle has enjoyed a rich and surprisingly lively existence. Alan Connor, a comic writer known for his exploration of all things crossword in The Guardian, covers every twist and turn: from the 1920s, when crosswords were considered a menace to productive society; to World War II, when they were used to recruit code breakers; to their starring role in a 2008 episode of The Simpsons. He also profiles the colorful characters who make up the interesting and bizarre subculture of crossword constructors and competitive solvers, including Will Shortz, the iconic New York Times puzzle editor who created a crafty crossword that appeared to predict the outcome of a presidential election, and the legions of competitive puzzle solvers who descend on a Connecticut hotel each year in an attempt to be crowned the American puzzle-solving champion. At a time when the printed word is in decline, Connor marvels at the crossword’s seamless transition onto Kindles and iPads, keeping the puzzle one of America’s favorite pastimes. He also explores the way the human brain processes crosswords versus computers that are largely stumped by clues that require wordplay or a simple grasp of humor. A fascinating examination of our most beloved linguistic amusement—and filled with tantalizing crosswords and clues embedded in the text—The Crossword Century is sure to attract the attention of the readers who made Word Freak and Just My Type bestsellers.

The 21st Century Crossword Puzzle Dictionary

The 21st Century Crossword Puzzle Dictionary PDF Author: Kevin McCann
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
ISBN: 9781402721342
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 820

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Book Description
Finally, a crossword dictionary with all the words solvers need--and none of the ones they don't! When it comes to puzzle dictionaries, it's the "quality" of what's inside that counts. To make the dictionary even easier to use, the most popular answers stand out in easy-to-see red, while charts highlight frequently sought-after information such as Oscar winners and Popes' names. Crossword fans will keep this right next to their favorite puzzles!

The Curious History of the Crossword

The Curious History of the Crossword PDF Author: Ben Tausig
Publisher:
ISBN: 1937994457
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 195

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Book Description
Discover the curious history of the world's most addictive game and its unusual upbringing. Celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the beloved crossword puzzle, readers can solve over 100 different puzzles from top constructors.

FUN

FUN PDF Author: Paolo Bacilieri
Publisher: SelfMadeHero
ISBN: 9781910593257
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
In December 1913, the New York World newspaper published the first crossword in history. It appeared in their Sunday supplement, "Fun." A century later, this absorbing puzzle continues to attract (and infuriate) millions of devotees every day. But the world's most popular--and seemingly mundane--pastime has a surprising history, filled with intrigue and adventure. Paolo Bacilieri's FUN transports us from turn-of-the-century New York to present-day Milan, taking in stories of ingenious puzzle makers, ardent solvers, and intellectual luminaries. Part detective story, part docudrama, and interlaced with a fiction of Bacilieri's own imagining, FUN questions the crossword's "harmless" status. Sure, it's fun--but could it also be a form of resistance, of cryptic communication, of espionage?

Thinking Inside the Box

Thinking Inside the Box PDF Author: Adrienne Raphel
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0525522107
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
“This cultural and personal history of crosswords and their fans, written by an aficionado, is diverting, informative, and discursive.” —The New York Times Book Review, Editors’ Choice A delightful, erudite, and immersive exploration of the crossword puzzle and its fascinating history Almost as soon as it appeared, the crossword puzzle became indispensable to our lives. Invented practically by accident in 1913, when a newspaper editor at the New York World was casting around for something to fill empty column space, it became a roaring commercial success almost overnight. Ever since then, the humble puzzle has been an essential ingredient of any newspaper worth its salt. But why, exactly, are the crossword’s satisfactions so sweet? Blending first-person reporting from the world of crosswords with a delightful telling of its rich literary history, Adrienne Raphel dives into the secrets of this classic pastime. Thinking Inside the Box is an ingenious love letter not just to the abiding power of the crossword but to the infinite joys and playful possibilities of language itself.

The 21st Century Crossword Puzzle Dictionary

The 21st Century Crossword Puzzle Dictionary PDF Author: Kevin McCann
Publisher: Union Square + ORM
ISBN: 1402774524
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 2785

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Book Description
Compiled from over 10,00 published puzzles, this handy reference offers all the words you need to solve your puzzles and none of the ones you don’t. Finally, a crossword dictionary with all the words solvers need—and none of the ones they don’t! When it comes to puzzle dictionaries, it’s the quality of what’s inside that counts. Who needs a plethora of synonyms that never appear in an actual crossword? So, authors Kevin McCann and Mark Diehl analyzed thousands of crosswords to amass an up-to-date list of words that regularly turn up in today’s top puzzles. To make the dictionary even easier to use, the most popular answers stand out in easy-to-see red, while charts highlight frequently sought-after information such as Oscar winners and Popes’ names. Crossword fans will keep this right next to their favorite puzzles!

Two Girls, One on Each Knee

Two Girls, One on Each Knee PDF Author: Alan Connor
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781846148415
Category : Crossword puzzles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"On 21 December 2013, the crossword puzzle will be 100 years old. In the century since its birth, it has evolved into the world's most popular intellectual pastime. In [this book], Alan Connor celebrates the wit, ingenuity and frsutration of this addictive sport and how it has grown. ..."--Book jacket.

The Concise 21st Century Crossword Puzzle Dictionary

The Concise 21st Century Crossword Puzzle Dictionary PDF Author: K. McCann
Publisher: Puzzlewright
ISBN: 9781454907053
Category : Crossword puzzles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Now the very best crossword dictionary around--with all the words solvers need, but none of the ones they don't--is available in a concise version, without appendices! Kevin McCann and Mark Diehl analyzed thousands of crosswords to amass an up-to-date list of words that regularly turn up in today's top puzzles--with the most popular ones bolded and underlined. Crossword fans will keep this right next to their favorite puzzles!

The Dell Crossword Dictionary

The Dell Crossword Dictionary PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Crossword puzzles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description


Four-letter Words

Four-letter Words PDF Author: Michelle Arnot
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 9780399534355
Category : Games & Activities
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description
A crossword puzzle champion discusses the rules and regulations of doing crossword puzzles; offers facts about puzzle history and lore; and provides tips, techniques, and strategies for solving difficult puzzles.