The Crossword Century

A journalist and word aficionado salutes the 100-year history and pleasures of crossword puzzles Since its debut in The New York World on December 21, 1913, the crossword puzzle has enjoyed a rich and surprisingly lively existence. Alan Connor, a comic writer known for his exploration of all things crossword in The Guardian, covers every twist and turn: from the 1920s, when crosswords were considered a menace to productive society; to World War II, when they were used to recruit code breakers; to their starring role in a 2008 episode of The Simpsons; and to the continuing influence of people like Will Shortz, the iconic New York Times crossword editor. He also profiles the colorful characters who make up the interesting and bizarre subculture of crossword constructors and competitive solvers, including a ninety-year-old vicar who still creates devious puzzles for some of the top newspapers, and a man who boasts that he can solve a...