"From Square One" is Dean Olsher's captivating and in-depth exploration of the cultural history, psychology, and even metaphysics of crosswords -- ...
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Jul 24, 2009
Is a crossword puzzle part of your daily routine? Do you use pencil or pen? Do you time yourself (i.e., are you in some way competitive)? Do you know anything about the history of crosswords? Dean Olsher, NPR commentator, offers his take on these and other word puzzle issues, some surprisingly thorny. He suggests that for some of us puzzlers, solving a word puzzle is more satisfying than solving a number puzzle like Sudoku. Why? Well, it has something to do with the denotation and connotation be
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Jul 17, 2011
Dawn
rated it: 
I am a complete sucker nonfiction, especially about my own obsessions, hobbies, and loves. So when I stumbled on this one at the Dollar Tree, how could I not pick it up? Nonfic? Crosswords? A dollar? Yes, please. Unfortunately, the book was rather disappointing. Not that it wasn't well written. On the contrary, Olsher is quite a good writer. It isn't that I wasn't interested. I love crosswords. The problem lies more in the organization. At times, it felt as though I was reading somethin
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Sep 25, 2009
Linda
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I love a good crossword puzzle, so I thought this book would provide insight into the quirky personalities who write crosswords and those who plan their days around completing them. It started off great with lots of intelligent and witty insights, but then slowly deteriorated into a rambling travelogue/monologue of the author's take on a select group of players and competitions. The rest of the book was abruptly hijacked into a revery about a certain type of crossword - the "cryptic crosswo
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Feb 15, 2010
jill
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This guy was pretty obnoxious. I probably wouldn't have read past the introduction if Lani hadn't recommended it. He kept making unnecessary snide remarks about politics (Bush administration and, even less topically, Linda Tripp ... really, Olsher, not even Clinton still cares about Linda Tripp), and he kept going off into his own psychological issues and only very tentatively, if at all, connecting them to crossword puzzles. Annoying.
Oh, and he quotes T.S. Eliot saying somethin More...
Oh, and he quotes T.S. Eliot saying somethin More...
Feb 26, 2010
Joe
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This book is partly a history of crossword puzzles, partly a collection of quotes and stories from crossword puzzle enthusiasts, and partly an attempt to find deeper meaning in crossword puzzles and the enthusiasm that they command.
I wish there was more history; then again, how much history is there? The best part of the book was the cryptic crossword at the end.
I wish there was more history; then again, how much history is there? The best part of the book was the cryptic crossword at the end.
Nov 10, 2011
Brian
rated it:
This is a memoir written by a crossword addict. It's not exactly about crossword puzzles, so much as it's about the people who do them.
It was ok, but I would recommend Cruciverbalism by Stanley Newman over this.
It was ok, but I would recommend Cruciverbalism by Stanley Newman over this.
Jan 27, 2010
Deena
rated it:
Wonderfully nerdy.
p. 45: "The pleasure principle [is:] overrated. Instead, we are primarily motivated to create challenges for ourselves that we can overcome. This drive for satisfaction, which manifests itself whether we're solving puzzles, running marathons, or engaging in S&M (for some people, anyway), is hardwired into our brains."
p. 45: "The pleasure principle [is:] overrated. Instead, we are primarily motivated to create challenges for ourselves that we can overcome. This drive for satisfaction, which manifests itself whether we're solving puzzles, running marathons, or engaging in S&M (for some people, anyway), is hardwired into our brains."
Nov 30, 2009
Turi
rated it:
I've read a few crossword books in the past couple of years (although I haven't really been doing puzzles lately) and this one doesn't disappoint. A rambling, but always interesting look at puzzling's history and possible future, with a bit of focus on "cryptic crosswords."
Dec 28, 2009
Elise
rated it:
A fun and quick read for puzzle dorks. Mostly a love-letter to the crossword puzzle and its elegance. That said, Olsher sometimes tends to get a little too dramatic and sentimental, especially when praising the cryptic crossword, which he does at great length.
Nov 06, 2009
Patty
rated it:
I haven't done a crossword puzzle for some time. And cryptic crosswords - I never understood them. There was a point in my life that I did the NYT puzzles, but I hadn't really missed them. Until now.
Olsher has written a book that has rekindled my interest. I don't think that was his intention. I think Olsher is just fascinated with crosswords and had to share his obsession. He did a good job of telling his story, his involvement with crosswords.
And for me, besides More...
Olsher has written a book that has rekindled my interest. I don't think that was his intention. I think Olsher is just fascinated with crosswords and had to share his obsession. He did a good job of telling his story, his involvement with crosswords.
And for me, besides More...
Jun 01, 2010
Sarah
rated it:
I adored this -- like a long, very good radio programme on crosswords. And it taught me how to do cryptic crosswords, which I have always wanted to learn! Probably not for everyone, though.
Oct 12, 2009
Brent
rated it:
Subtitled, "A Meditation, with Digressions, on Crosswords." Well, maybe there's just not that much to say about crossword puzzles--some amusing digressions, though.
Jul 07, 2009
Carol
rated it:
Whether you are a bona fide word nerd or simply curious about what gets a person hooked on crossword puzzles, you'll be amused by this entertaining memoir.
Aug 28, 2009
Jeffrey
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This is a frustrating book, because he talks about achieving a flow state when doing puzzles or listening to music, but the prose jumps around from topic to topic such that achieving a flow state reading the book is impossible.
There is a cryptic crossword by Francis Heaney in the back, though, which is a plus.
There is a cryptic crossword by Francis Heaney in the back, though, which is a plus.
Sep 12, 2009
Lani
rated it:
While the author is rather obnoxious, the book is still pretty interesting. I'm not quite the crossword nerd that many of these people are, but I enjoy learning the weird esoteric trivia as much as the other losers.
The interviews are fun, and the discussions with Will Shortz are pretty interesting. In general I guess I had never given all that much thought to the production or development of crossword puzzles. Neat stuff!
If you're willing to laugh at the pretentiousness o More...
The interviews are fun, and the discussions with Will Shortz are pretty interesting. In general I guess I had never given all that much thought to the production or development of crossword puzzles. Neat stuff!
If you're willing to laugh at the pretentiousness o More...
May 14, 2009
so far, brilliantly written to mimic the feel and philosophy of a crossword puzzle.
Jun 30, 2009
Steve
rated it:
How to Write a Book About Nothing by Dean Olsher.
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Apr 27, 2010
Judith
rated it:
Lots of fun. Informative about different crossword constructors and ways clues are developed.
Jun 11, 2011
Kelly
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Ya know, I thought I would love love love this book, but it ended up just being depressing. It has some awesome blurbs from people I respect, but it still fell short. Maybe if it was longer? Maybe if the author didn't have a stick up his butt? Maybe if his radio show wasn't canceled? I'm actually saddened that I didn't like this book more.
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