- Paperback: 192 pages
- Publisher: Chambers; Revised edition edition (16 Sep 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0550100539
- ISBN-13: 978-0550100535
- Product Dimensions: 19.3 x 12.7 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 233,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
All the cryptic tricks of the trade are taught through a series of graded puzzles in this guide to understanding and completing cryptic crosswords.
About the Author
Michael Kindred and Derrick Knight set crosswords under the pseudonyms Emkay and Mordred for various newspapers and periodicals, including The Times (The Listener crossword) The Independent's Saturday magazine and The Sunday Telegraph (Enigmatic Variations crossword).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Over the last few months i have become very interested in cryptic crosswords, i guess because i consider them to be rather 'clever'. A few friends at work have a go at the Times crossword most days and i've questioned them many times about how they got their answers.
Having decided to try my hand at these puzzles i thought i'd buy a book or two to help. I've purchased 4 books and this is the best (although the one by Kevin skinner and the Daily Telegraph guide are both very good)
The reason this book works so well is because it has 30 puzzles which gradually increase in difficulty. The first 10 puzzles give you the definitional part of the clue and the type of cryptic 'puzzle' it is e.g. anagram.
The second 10 do not give you the definitional part but do tell you what type of puzzle it is.
The last 10 give you no help and these are like the standard that can be found in broadsheet newspapers.
So far i'm on crossword 12.
There is also a 'help' section which i have found very valuable. It gives hints and sometimes explanation as to how the solution can be worked out. For example, it might say it is an anagram of 'remain + ark' where remain and ark have been obtained from two different parts of the clue. Of course there are also solutions to all 30 crosswords as well
Although i rate this book highly, i have not found it easy going. I understand the different types of clues very well now, but my problem has been with MY vocabulary....
Entreat, Excoriate, Caprice, Grandee are examples of solutions to clues which are simply not in my vocabulary, or should i say, weren't. But the reason i like these is because of there educational element as well as the puzzle and so i will endeavour to continue and see if i can get to puzzle 30.
If you'd like to understand how to complete these crosswords and have a good vocabulary (or want to improve your vocabulary) then i highly recommend this book.
Having decided to try my hand at these puzzles i thought i'd buy a book or two to help. I've purchased 4 books and this is the best (although the one by Kevin skinner and the Daily Telegraph guide are both very good)
The reason this book works so well is because it has 30 puzzles which gradually increase in difficulty. The first 10 puzzles give you the definitional part of the clue and the type of cryptic 'puzzle' it is e.g. anagram.
The second 10 do not give you the definitional part but do tell you what type of puzzle it is.
The last 10 give you no help and these are like the standard that can be found in broadsheet newspapers.
So far i'm on crossword 12.
There is also a 'help' section which i have found very valuable. It gives hints and sometimes explanation as to how the solution can be worked out. For example, it might say it is an anagram of 'remain + ark' where remain and ark have been obtained from two different parts of the clue. Of course there are also solutions to all 30 crosswords as well
Although i rate this book highly, i have not found it easy going. I understand the different types of clues very well now, but my problem has been with MY vocabulary....
Entreat, Excoriate, Caprice, Grandee are examples of solutions to clues which are simply not in my vocabulary, or should i say, weren't. But the reason i like these is because of there educational element as well as the puzzle and so i will endeavour to continue and see if i can get to puzzle 30.
If you'd like to understand how to complete these crosswords and have a good vocabulary (or want to improve your vocabulary) then i highly recommend this book.
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book consists of all the ingredients you'd expect from a 'how to solve' book, such as an explanation of clue types and devices, practical advice on solving, and common abbreviations. These sections are crisp, clear and concise.
The meat of this book is actual practice crosswords. A very neat and effective learning curve is set up whereby the first 10 puzzles have some answers filled in, and next to each clue is an abbreviation which indicates what clue type it is. As you progress through the book (sections of 10 puzzles divided by articles such as history of crosswords and famous clues) these props are gradually taken away. This works very well.
A recommended introduction to this type of self-torture.
The meat of this book is actual practice crosswords. A very neat and effective learning curve is set up whereby the first 10 puzzles have some answers filled in, and next to each clue is an abbreviation which indicates what clue type it is. As you progress through the book (sections of 10 puzzles divided by articles such as history of crosswords and famous clues) these props are gradually taken away. This works very well.
A recommended introduction to this type of self-torture.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is aimed at solvers who wish to master the tricks of the cryptic clue and is an excellent tutor. After a brief introduction to the types of cryptic clue there is some practical advice on how to solve them. Then there are the first ten crosswords. These are very easy, with some answers already entered, definitions in bold type and clues with references to the type of device employed. The next ten puzzles also have an indication of the clue-type and are of the standard that you might find in The Daily Telegraph. In the last set of ten puzzles the solver is on his own but has the help of a Two-way Crossword Glossary. This is a very useful lexicon of definitions and vocabulary used as devices in cryptic crosswords.
Although the puzzles in this book are of a fairly easy level, they are fun to solve and are a good practice for solvers of all abilities. Each puzzle has notes in the appendix but the solutions are not given. This would encourage a beginner to think through the clue and find the answer. For people new to cryptic crosswords this book is a key to the correct way to read a clue and should give them the confidence to tackle the puzzles in the Guardian or the Times. In fact, I am considering giving this book to my partner in the hope that she will start to understand the pleasure that I get from outwitting Azed and co.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cryptic Crosswords from scratch!
The only book you will ever need to teach you the 'hidden mysteries' of cryptic crosswords. Takes a level by level approach, allowing you to practice.
A good brain work out!
A good brain work out!
Published on 27 Mar 2010 by Anne Kenny
British eggs sent up well done (5)
Alas - I will never be able to join the Facebook group of those who can do the Times Crossword in 2 minutes, but I am beginning to get to grips with the cryptic thanks to this... Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by M. J. Parsons
Listmania!
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