From Square One (eBook)

A Meditation, with Digressions, on Crosswords

Dean Olsher (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2009
192 Seiten
Scribner (Verlag)
978-1-4391-6452-5 (ISBN)

Infos

From Square One is Dean Olsher's captivating and in-depth exploration of the cultural history, psychology, and even metaphysics of crosswords -- their promise of a world without chaos and uncertainty. It is often repeated that more than 50 million Americans do crossword puzzles on a regular basis. Skeptical of that claim, Dean Olsher does his own research and finds that the number is nearly dead-on. Filled with lively, original reporting, From Square One disputes the widely held belief that solving crosswords helps prevent Alzheimer's; in fact, the drive to fill in empty spaces is more likely a mental illness than a cure. While "e;puzzle addiction"e; is usually meant as a lighthearted metaphor, the term contains more than a nugget of truth. Olsher looks into the origins and traditions of this popular pastime, which made its debut in a New York newspaper in 1913. Or did it? Along the way, he takes readers inside the making of a crossword. He also revives the quest of musical-theater legend and puzzle constructor Stephen Sondheim to find an American audience for a British crossword style that demands a love of verbal playfulness over knowledge of arcane trivia. Informative, engaging, and often surprising, From Square One is a unique and enjoyable read for puzzlers and nonpuzzlers alike.

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.6.2009
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Freizeit / Hobby
• ISBN-10: 1-4391-6452-5 / 1439164525
• ISBN-13: 978-1-4391-6452-5 / 9781439164525