An Anthropology of Puzzles argues that the human brain is a "puzzling organ" which allows humans to literally solve their own problems of existence through puzzle format. Noting the presence of puzzles everywhere in everyday life, Marcel Danesi looks at puzzles in society since the dawn of history, showing how their presence has guided large sections of human history, from discoveries in mathematics to disquisitions in philosophy. Danesi examines the cognitive processes that are involved in puzzle making and solving, and connects them to the actual physical manifestations of classic puzzles. Building on a concept of puzzles as based on Jungian archetypes, such as the river crossing image, the path metaphor, and the journey, Danesi suggests this could be one way to understand the public fascination with puzzles. As well as drawing on underlying mental archetypes, the act of solving puzzles also provides an outlet to move beyond biological evolution, and Danesi shows that puzzles could be the product of the same basic neural mechanism that produces language and culture. Finally, Danesi explores how understanding puzzles can be a new way of understanding our human culture.

From the early 1920s to the late 1960s, T. E. Lawrence's life and career were largely the subject of sensationalist speculation, fired mainly by the romantic image of “Lawrence of Arabia.” Then, as the result of various political, scholarly, and intellectual developments, study of Lawrence's career and influence began to take on a new aspect. This collection of fourteen essays, including Stephen E. Tabachnick's extensive introduction, provides balanced and fully documented analyses of Lawrence's multifaceted career by an international group of scholars. The T. E. Lawrence Puzzle will appeal to Lawrence experts and to general readers interested in objective, reasoned perspectives on a brilliant polymath with a fascinating personality, whose many achievements remain very relevant to our own times.

Fully illustrated in color, this treasure trove features 250 puzzles on every imaginable theme and subject. The book is a bonanza of mazes, word games, visual and logic puzzles, and more.

"Humans are the only animals who create and solve puzzles--for the sheer pleasure of it--and there is no obvious genetic reason why we would do this. Marcel Danesi explores the psychology of puzzles and puzzling, with scores of classic examples. His pioneering book is both entertaining and enlightening." --Will Shortz, Crossword Editor, The New York Times "... Puzzle fanatics will enjoy the many riddles, illusions, cryptograms and other mind-benders offered for analysis." --Psychology Today "... a bristlingly clear... always intriguing survey of the history and rationale of puzzles.... A] splendid study...." --Knight Ridder Newspapers

No amateur or math authority can be without this ultimate compendium of classic puzzles, paradoxes, and puzzles from America's best-loved mathematical expert. 320 line drawings.

Stump your friends and family with this fun, challenging math puzzle book! Who knew that math could be so cool? Crammed with games, puzzles, and trivia, The Everything Kids’ Math Puzzles Book puts the fun back into playing with numbers! If you have any fear of math—or are just tired of sitting in a classroom—The Everything Kids’ Math Puzzles Book provides hours of entertainment. You’ll get so caught up in the activities, you won’t even know you’re learning! Inside, you’ll be able to: -Decode hidden messages using Roman numerals -Connect the dots using simple addition and subtraction -Learn to create magic number squares -Use division to answer musical riddles -Match the profession to numerical license plates