Will Shortz's Favorite Crossword Puzzles

by The New York Times and Will Shortz

For the first time ever, Will Shortz personally selects 75 of his favorite puzzles from his tenure as editor of "The New York Times" crossword puzzles. Special commentary will appear along with each... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031230613X
• ISBN13: 9780312306137
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.2" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

Best Collection of Crossword Puzzles I've Seen

If you prefer cleverness and novelty in your crossword puzzles, this is the perfect book. The puzzles are of varying difficulties (Monday through Saturday), but the dates and days of the week are given for each puzzle, so you know roughly how much of a challenge you're in for with each puzzle (watch out for the sneaky April 1st crosswords). Will Shortz's brief non-spoiler commentary before each puzzle is interesting, but I wish there was follow-up commentary after each puzzle, going into just a little more depth. The only serious downside to the book is the fact that it is not spiral bound. But the puzzles inside are just way too good for that to make much of a difference.

Best First Crossword Book for NY Times Lovers

I don't know if Will Shortz has released a more recent collection of his favorites, and if he hasn't he should! Here is an amazing collection of some of the best wordplay Shortz and his constructors had to offer in the '90's. All levels of difficulty are here, from Moday through Saturday. No Sunday editions, and I have to assume there is a book devoted to Sunday's puzzles. In my opinions, Shortz should do an annual editions featuring his favorites from the past year. And if he reads this, I hope he gives me some credit for the idea :)

A Challenging Diversion

From easy to hard, these puzzles should keep you entertained. Some are funny, all are clever. Will Shortz's comments provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the world of puzzle making.

Diabolical, But Fair

Six months ago I would have called every one of these puzzles unfair. The gimmicks and tricks are too hard! But that was before I became a crossword puzzle fan.These are mostly challenging crosswords, all from the New York Times. There are a few Monday and Tuesday puzzles, but most are from Thursday-Saturday, the tough part of the week. And they are clever. It really makes you wonder (and admire) the kind of minds that can come up with such diabolical puzzles.And now with almost half a year of New York Times crossword experience under my belt, I can say that all these puzzles are scrupulously fair. Will Shortz wouldn't have it any other way.

A book of 75 gifts.

Each crossword puzzle in this book is a treat. For the most part, they're not typical crosswords -- most of them contain a gimmick or some other characteristic that makes it unusual. As a bonus, Will Shortz introduces each puzzle with a few sentences explaining what's so great about it, so you almost feel like he's right there with you as you're working your way through the book. It must be difficult enough to create a crossword good enough to be published in the New York Times, so to go the extra step and construct a crossword extraordinary enough to be included in this book -- well, that's just an amazing feat.