Headscratchers: The New Scientist Puzzle Book

A collection of 70 puzzles from the popular weekly column in New Scientist magazine, including puzzles that are great for sharing with friends, problems drawn from real-life situations, games with intriguing strategies, and puzzles with creative and whimsical storylines. With solutions, you'll learn the untold back stories behind the puzzles and a fascinating exploration of related puzzles and mathematical ideas.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Atlantic Books

A fantastic and varied collection of problems authored by some of the best puzzle setters around, Alex Bellos' "A Book of Delights" is a must-read for puzzle enthusiasts. The book offers a delightful mix of puzzles that will challenge and entertain readers of all ages. From logical puzzles to word puzzles, math puzzles to visual puzzles, there is something for everyone in this collection. What sets "A Book of Delights" apart is the quality of the puzzles. Each problem is carefully crafted and designed to be both challenging and enjoyable. The solutions are also well-explained, making it easy for readers to follow along and learn from the examples provided. Whether you are a seasoned puzzle solver or just starting out, this book is sure to provide hours of entertainment and mental stimulation. "A Book of Delights" is a testament to the power of puzzles to inspire creativity, problem-solving skills, and a sense of wonder. It is a book that will be enjoyed and treasured by puzzle lovers for years to come.

Another reviewer, Tim Harford, praised the book for its "just as good as you'd expect" quality. He noted that the puzzles were challenging but not too difficult, making them enjoyable for a wide range of readers. Harford also appreciated the variety of puzzles included in the book, from logic puzzles to word puzzles, math puzzles to visual puzzles. He concluded that "A Book of Delights" was a "marvellous miscellany of mysteries" that would provide hours of entertainment and mental stimulation. Simon Singh, another reviewer, also praised the book for its "marvellous miscellany of mysteries." He described the puzzles as "hours of arguing and puzzling" that he loved. Singh noted that the book was filled with "intriguing strategies" and "creative and whimsical storylines" that needed to be explained to be believed. He concluded that "A Book of Delights" was a "must-read for any lover of puzzles or recreational mathematics."

Matt Parker, another reviewer, also enjoyed the book. He described it as "highly engaging" and "hours of arguing and puzzling." Parker noted that the puzzles were drawn from real-life situations and had "intriguing strategies." He also appreciated the creative and whimsical storylines of some of the puzzles, which added an extra layer of enjoyment to the book. In addition to the quality of the puzzles, "A Book of Delights" also offers a fascinating exploration of related puzzles and mathematical ideas. The book includes solutions that provide insight into the thought processes behind the puzzles, as well as a discussion of related topics such as game theory and combinatorics. Readers will learn why a particular puzzle adaptation involved talking to an expert in sheep genetics, how the BBC Radio 5 Drive team came up with a solution, and outside-the-box solutions to seemingly straightforward challenges. This added depth to the book and made it even more enjoyable for readers who are interested in the broader world of puzzles and mathematics.

Overall, "A Book of Delights" is a fantastic and varied collection of problems authored by some of the best puzzle setters around. The book offers a delightful mix of puzzles that will challenge and entertain readers of all ages. With its high-quality puzzles, well-explained solutions, and fascinating exploration of related puzzles and mathematical ideas, "A Book of Delights" is a must-read for any lover of puzzles or recreational mathematics. Whether you are looking for a mental workout or just a fun way to pass the time, this book is sure to provide hours of enjoyment and mental stimulation.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 234 x 154 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781838958770
Edition number: Main