The Riddles of the Sphinx: And the Puzzles, Word Games, Brainteasers, Conundrums, Quizzes, Mysteries, Codes and Ciphers That Have Baffled, Entertained and Confused the WOR
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Language: English
Published by Penguin Group, 2007
- Softcover
- Used

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- Title
- The Riddles of the Sphinx: And the Puzzles, Word Games, Brainteasers, Conundrums, Quizzes, Mysteries, Codes and Ciphers That Have Baffled, Entertained and Confused the WOR
- Author
- David J Bodycombe
- Publisher
- Penguin Group
- Publication year
- 2007
- Condition
- Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0143112759
- ISBN 13
- 9780143112754
The story of the puzzles, brainteasers, maps, codes, and other mysteries that have entertained and confused the world over the last century
From Sudoku to crosswords, Victorian parlor games to lateral thinking, cryptograms to todayÂ's latest brainteasers, The Riddles of the Sphinx tells the little-known histories behind a host of puzzles, word games, and riddles and introduces the extraordinary geniuses, eccentrics, rivals, code crackers, and obsessives who invented them. Who wouldÂ've thought that, for example, Sudoku, JapanÂ's biggest ever puzzle craze, was actually invented by a Swiss mathematician in 1873? Or that the Times crossword helped Britain win the Second World War? Readers will also find out about the mysterious ÂHaberdasherÂ's Puzzle, what Sheryl Crow has to do with cruciverbalism, how the World Puzzle Championships are blazing a trail for international relations, and how games help us think and develop. ThereÂ's even an opportunity to play some devilish games and classic brainteasers, making this the ultimate book for puzzle addicts.
From Sudoku to crosswords, Victorian parlor games to lateral thinking, cryptograms to todayÂ's latest brainteasers, The Riddles of the Sphinx tells the little-known histories behind a host of puzzles, word games, and riddles and introduces the extraordinary geniuses, eccentrics, rivals, code crackers, and obsessives who invented them. Who wouldÂ've thought that, for example, Sudoku, JapanÂ's biggest ever puzzle craze, was actually invented by a Swiss mathematician in 1873? Or that the Times crossword helped Britain win the Second World War? Readers will also find out about the mysterious ÂHaberdasherÂ's Puzzle, what Sheryl Crow has to do with cruciverbalism, how the World Puzzle Championships are blazing a trail for international relations, and how games help us think and develop. ThereÂ's even an opportunity to play some devilish games and classic brainteasers, making this the ultimate book for puzzle addicts.
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About the Author
David Bodycombe is a puzzle author and games consultant. In the United Kingdom, over two million people a day read his puzzles, and internationally his work is syndicated to over 100 newspapers.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
World of Books Inc
Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
2-star seller
AbeBooks seller since March 23, 2026
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Founded in 2002, World of Books is a leading online destination for buying and selling both preloved and new books, committed to making sustainable reading accessible to all. With a mission to help people read more and waste less, World of Books offers a huge range of affordable, high-quality books — giving both new and preloved titles a second life. The company also operates World of Books – Sell Your Books, an easy-to-use platform that allows customers to trade in unwanted books for cash, helping to keep books in circulation while promoting sustainability.
As a Certified B Corp, World of Books is driven by a vision to become the world’s largest and most sustainable dedicated online bookstore. The company measures its success through the positive environmental impact it creates, the value it provides to customers, and its ability to operate profitably while supporting its sustainable mission
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