HomeSudoku BooksHow to Conquer the New York Times Crossword Puzzle: Tips, Tricks and Techniques to Master America's Favorite Puzzle |
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Very good workbook, definitely helps, but... Feb 21, 2010
I enjoyed the puzzles in the book, and I believe I really have benefited from the tips. My crossword game is definitely a step or two above what it was prior to going through it. However, I can't say I've the "conquered" of the New York Times Crossword puzzles yet. So, you probably shouldn't buy completely into the promise of the title.
One other thing to keep in mind - this is not a book you just read, or a group of puzzles you just complete. Its really more of a workbook and it takes some commitment to really absorb the lessons. A few times, I caught myself just enjoying the puzzle and not really focusing on learning the tricks, tips, and traps.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Like having a friend kibitzing over your shoulder . Oct 22, 2009
I loved this book, and I'm also a fan of Reynaldo's blog and the NYT Xword puzzle. I like knowing how a real crossword maven's mind works as she solves puzzle and the kind of inside background info that this book provides. As others have mentioned, the many NY Times puzzles included with the book are a huge bonus. I've given this book as a gift to friends who have never quite understood my fascination with Will Shortz's puzzles and I think at least a few of them are now converts.
6 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 Do you like crossword blogs? May 29, 2009
As you may have picked up from the other reviews, the book is mainly composed of the author's thoughts as she walks you through solving puzzles. Each chapter starts with the unsolved puzzle, and then the text of her thoughts interspersed with the increasingly filled in grids of the puzzle as she completes it. In many ways, it's very much like the crossword blogs you can find on the Internet, where the blogger ruminates on how they solved today's puzzle. For me, though, it's a little like looking over the shoulder of someone on the subway solving a puzzle, not a particularly satisfying experience.
The book also contains 63 NYT puzzles, many of which you may have already seen if you've bought NYT crossword collections. Each has a few paragraph section containing hints, comments on the theme, and maybe a little about the constructor. Again, this is similar to what crossword bloggers publish.
Personally, I don't "get" crossword blogs. But if you do, this could be the book for you.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
An utter bargain Mar 14, 2009
For a few dollars, you get over 63 NYT puzzles, hints for solving them, step-by-step walkthroughs for a few (extremely helpful for beginners), plus a list of the 100 frequent words in the puzzles with their common clues (such as "OLEO: Bread spread; butter substitute; toast topper"). If you're not yet capable of solving Thursday's puzzle on your own, this book will help you get there faster.
If you're looking for something even more basic, try The Complete Idiot's Guide to Crossword Puzzles and Word Games.
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
A Must-Have for Novice Solvers Apr 06, 2008
I received this book as a Christmas gift. And it has changed my world. I was born and grew up during Chinese Cultural Revolution. Moved to the US when I was 30 years old. So American crosswords were almost impossible for me to crack, until I read Amy Reynaldo's book.
Her chapters on "100 Must-Know Words" & "Word Banks" have saved me hours and hours of google time. Without her succinct explanations on "Crossword Glossary", "Understanding Themes" & the "Constructor's Tricks", I would have been forever lost in the darkness of this puzzling crossword world.
I was so excited about Amy's book that I started my own LA Times Crossword Corner (formerly Star Tribune Crossword Corner) before I even finished her chapter on "Step-by-Step Thursday Puzzle".
I've also emailed Amy (Orange) many times as I constantly encounter all sorts of crazy clues when I am blogging. She has never disappointed me. She always provides me with the concise information I need, always in a very efficient manner. And she is so patient in explaining the WHY and HOW to me (a total stranger to her).
If you want to start doing NY Times, or LA Times, or any crossword, you should consider buying this book. It's full of gems, and so easy to carry around for reference (little over 200 pages).
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