The Book of Sudoku: The Hot New Puzzle Craze

I discovered the Sudoku Puzzle in my local paper a few months ago, and quickly became hooked on this puzzle. (The Sudoku puzzle, in its typical form, consists of a large grid of 81 squares, subdivided into nine boxes of nine squares each. The solver must arrange the numbers 1 through 9 so that there are no repeated numbers within each small box, in addition to no repetitions in a horizontal or vertical row of the large puzzle grid. Several numbers are printed in the puzzle as a starting point.) Solving these puzzles is an exercise in pure logic; no wide vocabulary is needed like when solving a crossword puzzle. So when I saw this book containing over one hundred Sudoku puzzles, I just had to have it! The best part of the book is the strategy guide at the front, which takes the Sudoko solver from the extreme basics all the way through tips for solving the most diabolical Sudoku puzzles. I'm enjoying working my way through the book, towards solving the most difficult puzzles in the book. Try these puzzles, and I guarantee you'll be hooked too!

I have been keen on all types of puzzles for about 60 years;and I really believe this puzzle is going to spread all over the world like nothing we have ever seen before.It first appeared to me only a little more than a month ago;and only in one "freebe" newspaper in the Toronto area,and in Canada,as far as I know.In that short time, it is appearing everywhere and getting the attention of virtually everyone.It can be done by people of all ages and regardless of language.I predict there are going to be speed competitions and TV shows very shortly.I was in my big bookstore a couple of weeks ago and no sign of any SUDOKU books in the Games section.Tonight, there were 6 different ones. They are all somewhat alike with a couple of hundred puzzles;with 3 or 4 levels of difficulty , and a section that gives hints on solving the puzzles.Learning how to do them comes very quickly. Of the several I looked at,I thought this one had a slight edge on instructions.This publisher ,"Penguin"has already put out its second book,which is a little better than the first on instructions.It also has a contents page where their first did not.Also different than any of the others, it explains a hint for those real difficult ones where you feel you're stuck and can't go any further.It is called the "Ariadnes Thread".It has a cool explanation of this term and should be helpful.This book,like all others gives solutions at the back.I am not sure they are necessary,as it is obvious when you get the solution and a completed puzzle doesn't tell you how it was arrived at. Anyway,I still reserve the right to change my mind about that. What more is there to say;give SUDOKUS a try;if you like puzzles,you'll probably love them as I do;and this is a great book to get you started. Oh Yeah,go look on the Net.A search under SUKODU will turn up lots of good stuff. In addition, I have written reviews on other Sudoku books on Aug 3,Aug 6,Aug 10 and Sept 30.

I got addicted to sudoku through the newspaper, and knew I had to have the book. This book has a great introduction that breaks down sudoku in a really accessible way. I learned from it and I was already a convert! Highly recommended!

I'm hooked on this game. It is quick to learn, and easy to play. I'd compare it to a crossword puzzle, but it's a little less frustrating. This book is great, and it's the only one that's out. I love it. I can't wait for book two.