Join The Puzzler Hunt and compete to win $10,000. To win, you’ll have to be the first to solve a series of mind-bending (but fun!) puzzles that will be posted starting May 3, 2022. But you can’t join the hunt unless you find the secret passphrase first. The good news is, you can discover the passphrase now, and get over that first hurdle. The passphrase is hidden in the free introduction to The Puzzler.
The New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically goes on a rollicking journey to understand the enduring power of puzzles: why we love them, what they do to our brains, and how they can improve our world.
What makes puzzles—jigsaws, mazes, riddles, sudokus—so satisfying? Be it the formation of new cerebral pathways, their close link to insight and humor, or their community-building properties, they’re among the fundamental elements that make us human. Convinced that puzzles have made him a better person, A. J. Jacobs—four-time New York Times bestselling author, master of immersion journalism, and nightly crossworder—set out to determine their myriad benefits. And maybe, in the process, solve the puzzle of our very existence. Well, almost.
“Riveting…Fascinating…[with] infectious charm…A rallying cry for ‘word nerds’ everywhere, this is a delight.”
– Publishers Weekly
“A fun, interactive exploration of the history and hidden world of puzzles. A must-read for puzzle enthusiasts of all skill levels.”
– Library Journal
A.J. is a journalist, lecturer, human guinea pig and author of four New York Times bestsellers.
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CHECK OUT A.J.'S NEW PODCAST!
In each episode of the podcast, Twice Removed, A.J. and team dive deep into a guest’s family tree.
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The Puzzler
One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life
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The Year of Living Biblically
One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
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