brenticus reviewed Puzzler by Jacobs, A. J.
None
4 stars
This was a fun overview of different types of puzzles and what makes them fun, with a running thread of examining what makes puzzles fun in general. Jacobs covered things pretty well, talking to all sorts of people who are weirdly obsessed with these puzzles, and even attempts the hardest versions he can find for himself.
Sort of. My biggest complaint isn't really about the writing, but that he kind of cheated through many of the puzzles by recruiting outside help, and he especially seemed to do this in puzzle genres that he seems less interested in. When he describes the solving process or the solutions it can get overly sparse, where you kind of lose what makes those specific puzzles fun.
But this is only sometimes, and only regarding his personal experience, not his excellent coverage of the genres or interviews with puzzlers, so it's more minor than it …
Sort of. My biggest complaint isn't really about the writing, but that he kind of cheated through many of the puzzles by recruiting outside help, and he especially seemed to do this in puzzle genres that he seems less interested in. When he describes the solving process or the solutions it can get overly sparse, where you kind of lose what makes those specific puzzles fun.
But this is only sometimes, and only regarding his personal experience, not his excellent coverage of the genres or interviews with puzzlers, so it's more minor than it might sound.
Plus there was a surprise appearance from Gary Chess himself, which was kind of neat.