Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 a childhood favourite November 23, 2008
I have just ordered a copy of this book to use with my kids. I had it when I was growing up and loved it. It's a real classic. Buy it - you will not be disappointed.
Different January 22, 2008
Because it is based on a russian/soviet book, the names and some factual information might be different to what one is accustomed to. However, the puzzles are excellent, at varying degrees of difficulty, and had me going back time and time again to re-read and re-solve. Recommended.
nice January 29, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
the book is really nice. to use it for lower classes, one would really need to simplify or provide some more clues, but it's a fountain of inspiration and loads of fun bits of number-maths that kids (and adults) love. how can you tell a number is divisible by 37...
 For the more able Mathematician, this is a truly great book! April 16, 2005
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
This review is not intended to tell you lots about the book, only about who the book is aimed for. I bought this book with the expectation that it would have lots of puzzles suitable for the "average Joe", or there abouts and would require some level of Mathematical thinking so would be nice, light hearted practice for my students ( I am a secondary school maths teacher). The level and style of the puzzles varies, but the majority of problems are aimed at those who are capable of attaining grade A at GCSE Mathematics and it does have some fairly complex solutions. The layout of the book is also fairly old fashioned. It was first published in 1971 and the font and presentation is in line with what you would expect of a book published at that time. If you are looking for puzzles involving a higher level of mathematical thinking and a variety of styles of problems however then this book does suit this purpose.In summary, this book may be great or fairly useless, depending on for what purpose it is wanted.
Fiendish February 19, 2002
24 out of 25 found this review helpful
Do not read this book before starting work or less than 4 hours before going to bed. Once these puzzles get hold of your brain, it's no use for anything else. Keep the book in a locked drawer and only get it out when you have several hours to spare.They start off easy, but soon escalate to the point where you swear the puzzles must be misprints and there is some information missing. Eventually, you turn to the answers and kick yourself black and blue. When you know one answer, you think the next puzzle will be easier. It isn't - each one needs a completely original mode of thought.
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