sebswann's review
5.0
"Get curious... This is the puzzle mindset. We should look at a problem and figure out potential solutions instead of just wallowing in rage and doubling down on our biases... It's a powerful way to frame problems. Even just inserting the word "puzzle" can make a difference. If i hear about the climate crisis, I want to curl up in a fetal position in the corner. But if I'm asked about the climate puzzle, I want to try to solve it. That, to me, is the only way out of our current issues."
If you like puzzles and games. In the intro, Jacobs sums up the book perfectly when he says "But this isn't just a book about puzzles. It's also a book of puzzles. Within these pages, I have included some of my favorite puzzles from history."
If you like puzzles and games. In the intro, Jacobs sums up the book perfectly when he says "But this isn't just a book about puzzles. It's also a book of puzzles. Within these pages, I have included some of my favorite puzzles from history."
nettahk's review
3.0
Didn’t read every chapter (i do not care abt chess!) and did not attempt most of the puzzles. there’s something toxic-masculine and deeply uninteresting about his need to find “the hardest puzzle” in each category, especially when he’s just been introduced to them. Like I find “the hardest X puzzle” to be such an impossible subjective thing and like….. ok so what about it? The biggest rubik’s cube is not necessarily the most interesting rubik’s cube
brontherun's review
4.0
So, this book is filled with puzzles, not just narrative. As a read, I'd give it a 3, but as a combined story and puzzle book, I give it a four. Maybe it's just my own love of puzzles, but this was a fun and entertaining look at a wide variety of word, logic, math and meta puzzles, with a smattering of strategy games, riddles and odds and ends thrown in. Most of these I've tried myself, and some of these I found pretty addictive (puzzle hunting, logic puzzles, and jigsaws). The only one I haven't tried are the Japanese wooden puzzle boxes, which based on their cost is probably going to remain unchecked on my puzzle list.
On one level, this book may just be a brilliant effort to justify the amount of time Jacobs spends on puzzles. However, I like how he brings in some psychology/biology to support his pet theories, for example: "Evolution wants us to solve things. It's why our brains get a hit of dopamine every time we experience the ah-ha moment." His argument that we are wired as humans to solve problems is attractive to puzzle-addicts, but I'm pretty sure the conclusion isn't scientifically proven here. But perhaps his argument is supported enough to convince his wife!
I also appreciate his historic look into riddles, puzzles, an ciphers. We can definitely understand ourselves better when we understand the past. Jacobs relays one such historical connection in almost a poetic way: "I have communed with a mind from 150 years ago. Our brains are in sync, even if one of us is dead." I am smitten with the thought of being synced through centuries of time with someone who is no longer here, simply by completing a puzzle, cipher, or riddle that was created generations ago. Happy puzzling, and happy reading!
On one level, this book may just be a brilliant effort to justify the amount of time Jacobs spends on puzzles. However, I like how he brings in some psychology/biology to support his pet theories, for example: "Evolution wants us to solve things. It's why our brains get a hit of dopamine every time we experience the ah-ha moment." His argument that we are wired as humans to solve problems is attractive to puzzle-addicts, but I'm pretty sure the conclusion isn't scientifically proven here. But perhaps his argument is supported enough to convince his wife!
I also appreciate his historic look into riddles, puzzles, an ciphers. We can definitely understand ourselves better when we understand the past. Jacobs relays one such historical connection in almost a poetic way: "I have communed with a mind from 150 years ago. Our brains are in sync, even if one of us is dead." I am smitten with the thought of being synced through centuries of time with someone who is no longer here, simply by completing a puzzle, cipher, or riddle that was created generations ago. Happy puzzling, and happy reading!
alliebookworm's review
5.0
If you like any form of puzzle (crossword, jigsaw, escape room, sudoku), I would highly recommend this book. Plus I snorted enough as I was reading it that I definitely annoyed my husband with my attempts to not laugh too hard. If you can swing it, it’s worth getting a physical copy so you can enjoy the puzzles inside the book too!