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The Crossword Century: 100 Years of Witty Wordplay, Ingenious Puzzles, and...

by Connor, Alan | HC | VeryGood
ThriftBooks
(3931600)
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US $5.57
Approximately£4.15
Condition:
Very Good
May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend ... Read moreAbout condition
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Located in: Aurora, Illinois, United States
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eBay item number:144587673920
Last updated on 17 Jul, 2025 06:39:54 BSTView all revisionsView all revisions

Item specifics

Condition
Very Good
A book that has been read and does not look new, but is in excellent condition. No obvious damage to the book cover, with the dust jacket (if applicable) included for hard covers. No missing or damaged pages, no creases or tears, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins. Some identifying marks on the inside cover, but this is minimal. Very little wear and tear. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitionsopens in a new window or tab
Seller notes
“May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend ...
Binding
Hardcover
Book Title
The Crossword Century
Weight
0 lbs
Product Group
Book
IsTextBook
No
ISBN
1592408583

About this product

Product Identifiers

Publisher
Penguin Publishing Group
ISBN-10
1592408583
ISBN-13
9781592408580
eBay Product ID (ePID)
174876597

Product Key Features

Number of Pages
208 Pages
Language
English
Publication Name
Crossword Century : 100 Years of Witty Wordplay, Ingenious Puzzles, and Linguistic Mischief
Subject
Crosswords / General, Linguistics / Historical & Comparative, Trivia
Publication Year
2014
Type
Not Available
Author
Alan Connor
Subject Area
Reference, Language Arts & Disciplines, Games & Activities
Format
Hardcover

Dimensions

Item Height
1 in
Item Weight
12.4 Oz
Item Length
8.6 in
Item Width
6 in

Additional Product Features

LCCN
2014-002612
TitleLeading
The
Dewey Edition
23
Reviews
"There is something to entertain even the most infrequent dabbler" - Financial Times   "Alan Connor's charming, fascinating history . . . is as elegantly sprinkled with surprising gems as the most satisfying crossword . . . thoroughly, consistently entertaining . . . In a single, gloriously decipherable chapter he lays out with perfect clarity the entire range of rules and devices through which cryptic clues work their magic" - Sunday Times "It is witty, charming, encyclopaedic and highly readable - and it can be read in any order. Take a chapter or a paragraph, a puzzle or a clue. In each the reader will find something to intrigue and delight." - Spectator "A lovingly crafted little book, from the table of contents-where chapter titles are hidden in a crossword designed by the great Araucaria-to the index, which skips from 'I give up, see frustration' via 'primness in American crosswords', to finish with 'zookeepers, beleaguered.'" - The Times "A lovingly crafted little book . . . Connor's wry, good-natured tone and his commitment to the serious business of play make him the perfect guide to a great pastime as it approaches its 100th birthday." - Daily Telegraph "Connor writes with great flair . . . it is nice to dip in and out of his entertaining essays" - Church Times "An ideal stocking filler" - Metro "The brilliant new book on crosswords that delivers fun galore whether you're a doer or a duffer" - Mail on Sunday
Grade From
Twelfth Grade
Illustrated
Yes
Dewey Decimal
793.73/2
Intended Audience
Trade
Synopsis
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.", 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.
LC Classification Number
GV1507.C7C544 2014

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