{"product_id":"9781592408580","title":"The Crossword Century: 100 Years of Witty Wordplay, Ingenious Puzzles, and Linguistic Mischief","description":"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA journalist and word aficionado salutes the 100-year history and pleasures of crossword puzzles\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Since its debut in \u003ci\u003eThe New York World\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003eThe Simpsons\u003c\/i\u003e; and to the continuing influence of people like Will Shortz, the iconic \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e crossword editor.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e He also profiles the colorful characters who make up the interesting and bizarre subculture of crossword constructors and competitive solvers, including a ninety-year-old vicar who still creates devious puzzles for some of the top newspapers, and a man who boasts that he can solve a puzzle in the time it takes to boil an egg.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e A fascinating examination of our most beloved linguistic amusement—and filled with tantalizing crosswords and clues embedded in the text—\u003ci\u003eThe Crossword Century \u003c\/i\u003eis sure to attract the attention of the readers who made \u003ci\u003eWord Freak\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eJust My Type\u003c\/i\u003e bestsellers.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Penguin Publishing Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47031131570416,"sku":"9781592408580","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781592408580_p0.jpg?v=1763812670","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781592408580","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}