How to Solve Sudoku: A Step-By-Step Guide

I have been doing Sudoku compulsively for a couple months with two other books. I thought I would be pretty good until I got to X-Wing and Swordfish. I went through this entire book in two days and loved it. It does something none of the other books do. It teaches the basics of logic and takes you through every step so that you can make sure you understand it. If you are a beginner get this book first and don't even look at anything else. If you are stuck at finding hidden triples, X-wings, and Swordfish get this book. This book restores my belief that Sudoku is a logic puzzle and not just some braniacs trying to prove how brilliant they are. Skip the fancy stuff and have fun and after some therapy with this book, go back to the fancy stuff.

Great book for a beginner. Would highly recommend it. Has contributed to many hours of satisfaction solving Sudoku puzzles. Definitely start with this book.

I have not been solving sudoku's for very long. But, I knew there had to be a more methodical manner than the single cell version I was using. And, I was correct! In my opinion, this book provides any and everyone with all the techniques needed to solve sudoku's of all levels of difficulty. In just one afternoon I started solving fiendish levels of sudok puzzles. What a blast!!

I got hooked on Sudoku a while back and although have gotten the hang of it, the harder puzzles, well, leave me puzzled. I got this book to see if they have any new ideas and they sure do! I tried it on Sudoku puzzles that have stumped me in the past, and I solved them! All it took was a concentrated look how to follow the logic and place the numbers accordingly - For those interested in Sudoku, a great teacher for all who enjoy these puzzles.

I have written several reviews on Sudoku books.Generally they start of with some instructions,some are very brief and some are quite extensive.Then they give you a bunch,usually 100 to 3 or 400 puzzles.The puzzles are graded ,usually as 3 to 5 levels of difficulty.Then you get the solutions.Personally,I don't find them of much use other than proof that the puzzle is solvable.In other words, you know when you 've got it solved. This book is very different in that it is a 116 page book dedicated to instruction and tips with just enough puzzles to apply the methods to.The only other book that even comes close is Carol Voderman's "Master Sudoku" which I reviewed on September 30,2005. Not only an excellent and very detailed instruction book,it covers just about everything you would like to know about Sudoku's history,the originators,the involvement of computers in their construction and a brief look some other number puzzles we are already beginning to appear in pictures and books. Definitely the book any Sudoku Puzzler would like to have.If you don't know all the methods and tips covered in this book,you're 'working' with one hand behind your back,if not with blinders on.