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HomeMagazine SubscriptionsThe Big Book of Sudoku Puzzles |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review:
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 Shipping was not what I asked for... Mar 22, 2010
The book is fine. I asked for the shipping to go to an inmate in a jail. Didn't happen. Sent to me instead...missing a big market because of mess ups like this! I won't be trying it again.
20 of 20 found the following review helpful:
This Sudoku book is a day late and a dollar short.. Jan 06, 2006
First of all,let me make one thing very clear.I am a big admirer of The Sterling Publishing Company.There is no equal to them in the number and high quality of books that they publish on puzzles.Check some of my other reviews on puzzle books and you'll find I've heaped praise on them for their efforts and accomplishments.However; everyone can have a 'bad hair' day.
The whole Sudoku scene took off here in May of 2005,in a little 'freebie' newspaper in boxes at transit stops.Over the next couple of months books started to appear in the bookstores.
I've written reviews on several of them and discuss what one should look for in a good one.First,there should be good coverage on the background of the puzzle,then good instructions on hints and methods for solving;particularly if one is just gettind started.Then the size of the grid should be at least 3"X3",preferably larger.By the way, The Toronto Star has just increased their grid from 31/2" to 5".Next,the paper should be much better than newsprint grade for ease of erasing.The puzzles should be graded in difficulty.One book I reviewed even gave completion times depending on skills.Another thing to consider is how flat the book lies as well as its size,particularly if you intend to carry it around.Finally ,there is the number of puzzles and the price.
Now what about this book.Competing books are flooding the shelves.If this book had come our in August or so ,it might not have been too bad.However,it has almost nothing in background or solving methods.The pages are too large,with 4 puzzles per page,and at this stage ,they're on the small size at 3".The puzzles are not graded and there are no time targets.The paper is not too bad,roughly typewriter bond grade.At 8"X10" it is too large to carry around and doesn't lay flat.
A couple of months ago books were coming out with 100-300 puzzles;last week I bought one with 1001 puzzles.So,about the only thing this book is 'with it' is that it has 944 puzzles.
In summary,this book is late arriving on the scene,nothing exceptional about it,several shortcomings and priced up there with others I would recommend over it.
Once again,I would reiterate that Sterling have published high quality puzzle books;and maybe Sudoku is just not their world.It's not that I don't think they couldn't do better ;it's just that they didn't.
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
 "Thinking Inside the Box - No Math Needed" Dec 30, 2005
The Big Book of Sudoku Puzzles," Michael Rios, NY, Sterling Publishing, 2005 ISBN: 1-4027-3631-2, PC 320 pgs., (80 pgs. answers), 10" x 8"
Unknown 20 years ago, Sudoku ("single numbers") skyrocketed since 1984 as Nikoli Publishers (Japan) formalized rules for a 3 x 3 number grid composed of 9 boxes @ using 0-9 numerals but once within @ box & numerals 0-9 but once criss-crossing the grid. The 30 conferred numbers (varies 24-32) determines difficulty of finding & entering those 51 or so (49-57) which are absent. Not always conspicious, supplied numbers inscribe a symmetrical design.
"The Big Book...." consists of 944 puzzles, begins "easy" & progresses to "harder." The format of 4 (four) puzzles per page, each measuring 3" x 3" makes analyses, pencil entries & erasures (if needed) quite easy - and with practice, simple logic, (no math needed) insight develops to spot patterns & formations yielding clues to missing numerals (all answers in back of book). At inception, there is temptation to fill empty squares with every feasibility, - time consuming. In short order, identification of patterns leads to explicit techniques where speed evolves & notations are few. In high order Sudoku, one of several chosen possibilities which, as puzzle becomes more complete, may prove to be incorrect, thus designating the alternative to be genuine. The sole equipment needed is a lead pencil & eraser plus an inquisitive mind which tunes in logic stations. In you are browsing for challenging experiences in mathematics, this is not that book. However, it is a good, non-pornographic mind memory book that'll help ward off Alzheimer's & is warranted compatible with all iPods. Of many books on Sudoku, this is my favorite.
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