No comments about Stanley Newman's Literary Crosswords: Something Novel (Other).

3 comments about Savage Crosswords #1 : 50 All-Original Ultrahard Puzzles--The Ultimate Challenge.

1. These are fiendishly difficult crosswords, and I recommend them to anyone who relishes a real mental workout. Savage uses a few obscure clues and answers, but nothing beats the satisfaction of actually finishing one of these monsters.

   In the one I just completed, Savage manages to use every double-letter combination from AA to ZZ in an answer (wait'll you get to QQ). It may take you a couple puzzles to get used to some unconvential cluing (I'll make up an example: Clark in "Gone with the Wind" would be a clue for GABLE, not RHETT as most constructors would have it), but these are really fun once you get on a roll....




2. Good, fun puzzles. Seldom trivial, but not super hard. I use a pen, however not unerringly. I have a second volume to enjoy.



3. These puzzles are witty and complex, requiring not only a solid knowledge of trivia but also insight into what Savage has in mind. Many of his clues are multi-level puns, and not just the theme clues, either. When I finished Volume 1, I was delighted to find Volume 2 ... but that's it, there's no Volume 3. Savage either fell off the face of the earth or got tired of the effort these puzzles must have required. I haven't seen anything of his in recent anthologies, either.
   
   At least Savage left us these 100 jewels before he disappeared.
   
   p.s. The gem in Volume 2 entitled "Stone Walls Do Not a Prison Make" is my favorite puzzle of all time. Elegant, beautiful, and philosophically intriguing, all in a single construction!

2 comments about World-Class Puzzles from the World Puzzle Championships, Volume 1 (Other).

1. I enjoy problems and puzzles that make you think. Most of the "problems" in this book can be solved by tedious trial and error. There is hardly any need to or opportunity to think rationally. If you like grunt work in solving problems you might like this book, but if you like challenging thought problems, this is the wrong book. I gave it a one star rating because zero stars is not an option.
   A waste of money!



2. These puzzles push the limits of a puzzler's logic and reasoning capabilities. It's even more amazing when you remember that these are the same puzzles that are done under time constraints in a competitive setting. They're difficult enough being done at one's own leisure! I love these puzzles for keeping my reasoning skills sharp. All you need is logic to do these, no matter what your native language, nor how much trivia you know.

No comments about The New York Times Giant Crossword Puzzle Book.

No comments about The Expert's Crossword Puzzle Dictionary (Dolphin Book, C106).

No comments about Crossword Dictionary.

1 comments about The New York Times Large-Print Crosswords to Boost Your Brainpower: 75 Large-Print Crosswords to Sharpen Your Mind, Improve Your Crossword Skills, and Increase Your Vocabulary.

1. I bought a BUNCH of these large print New York Times Crossword books for my Mom including this one. She was ardent about solving them and felt they helped her in maintaining her mental powers. I would have to agree on that. The large print really IS large and seemed too big to me at first but they were easier for her to savor and work on at her own pace. They also have puzzles you can subscribe to and receive through the mail. I was surprized and delighted during a visit to see that she and a friend worked on them together. They're a terrific resource for an aging parent and well worth the price for the stimulation !!

No comments about Simon and Schuster's Super Crostics Book, No. 1 (Simon & Schuster Super Crostics Book).

No comments about Best Buy Bargain Books: Crossword Puzzles.

No comments about Crosswordoku.