Thread your way through this history of mazes from the ancient world to today and solve over one hundred mazes along the way. From prehistoric times, mazes and labyrinths worldwide have served as different symbolic, ritualistic, and practical purposes. Taken as a powerful metaphor for life’s journey, they can be used as tools for meditation and learning at any level, even when completed for recreation. Maze images can be enjoyed as motifs themselves, but also in their material forms—a meditation, puzzle, dance, walk, ritual, pilgrimage, or simply a day out. Drawing upon a wealth of historical and classical literature; accounts written by explorers, archaeologists, and historians; and the output of modern and contemporary world-renowned experts and enthusiasts, social historian Dr. Julie Bounford explores the evolution of mazes through time and across continents, presenting their history in a fun and engaging format while challenging readers to solve over one hundred mazes—many created exclusively for this book by illustrator and artist Trevor Bounford. Learn about: The earliest recorded examples, legends, and mazes in the ancient world Mazes used as sacred rituals and symbols that take us beyond the natural world Turf, stone, hedge, and garden mazes, and sites of communal rustic revels The modern revival, with mazes taken to forms never previously imagined Explore how mazes can improve your mental dexterity and create mindfulness, and use the gazetteer to locate historical, replica, and interesting mazes that exist around the world today.

The Curious History of the Riddle investigates the fascinating origin and history of the riddle, from the very first riddle (the Riddle of the Sphinx) to the twenty-first century, with riddles found in pop culture, including movies (Us), television shows (Game of Thrones) video games, and escape rooms. Riddles are ageless, timeless, and so common that we hardly ever reflect upon what they are and how they originated. Most importantly, their invention helped in the development of lateral thinking, the form of thinking that is the foundation of all kinds of discoveries, from mathematics to science and beyond. In The Curious History of the Riddle, puzzle expert Marcel Danesi delves deep into the riddle's origin and history and covers these fascinating topics: 1. The Riddle of the Sphinx: Origins, Legends, Patterns What creature walks on all fours at dawn, two at midday, and three at twilight? (answer: man) 2. The Greek Anthology and the Exeter Book: Medieval Views and Uses of Riddles This chapter looks at the spread of the riddle in recreational and educational contexts. 3. The Merry Book of Riddles: Riddles in the Renaissance By the late Renaissance, riddles were being tailored more and more to produce humorous or whimsical effects. 4. Enigmas, Charades, and Conundrums: Riddles from the 1600s to the Twentieth Century After the Renaissance, riddles had become virtually every literate European person’s favorite form of recreation, and were included as regular features of many newspapers and periodicals 5. The Twentieth Century: Riddles as Children’s Literature In the twentieth century, riddles became specialized for children, spreading throughout children’s literature and educational manuals. 6. The Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries: Riddles Go to the Movies and Online In this chapter, the focus is on riddles in various entertainment media, from best-selling novels such as Harry Potter, to movies, such as the Batman series. 7. Connections: Riddles and Rebuses This chapter explores the structure of rebuses as visual riddles, connecting them historically. Part history book, part puzzle book, The Curious History of the Riddle is fully illustrated with over 200 riddles interspersed throughout the text for solving.

Discover the curious history of the world's most addictive game and its unusual upbringing. Celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the beloved crossword puzzle, readers can solve over 100 different puzzles from top constructors.

This is not really a book. This is a building in the shape of a book...a maze. Each numbered page depicts a room in the maze. Tempted? Test your wits against mine. I guarantee that my maze will challenge you to think in ways you've never thought before. But beware. One wrong turn and you may never escape!

Travel to Canal City and the world-famous Castle in the Sky for hours of maze-puzzling fun in this intriguing activity book! The waterways and streets of Canal City are bustling with people as crowds gather on the eve of the Maze Egg carnival. But a mysterious organisation announces its plans to steal the egg and it is up to Pierre the Maze Detective, his trusty sidekick Carmen and YOU to stop the egg from falling into the wrong hands! Make your way through 15 beautifully illustrated mazes, solve puzzles and find the hidden objects that Pierre and Carmen need to solve the mystery and save the day. Join the adventure as you weave through canals on a gondola, find your way through a crowded masquerade ball and take a sunset balloon trip across the sea. Hours of puzzle fun for all maze detectives aged 8+.

Mazes and Labyrinths is a look into the origin and mystery of mazes. From ancient stone carvings, Minoan palaces to today's hedge-maze, Matthews chronicles the history of the maze. With over 140 illustrations.

Go on a big puzzle journey around the world with this amazing maze book! Children are taken on a whirlwind journey around the globe, solving puzzles along the way.

Lots of amazing Pirate mazes, each one completely different from the one before. Many of the mazes contain extra puzzles to solve and challenges to complete en route, and the mazes get gradually more and more difficult throughout the book, pushing children to develop their problem-solving and visual recognition skills.

Mazes have been a part of civilization for at least 4,000 years, and there are more being built now than ever before. What is it about these magical life-size puzzles that continues to intrigue us? The idea of the maze taps into so many subconscious notions: the game, the quest, the spiritual journey. Perhaps this is the key to their enduring appeal. This beautifully illustrated book will delight lovers of mazes, acting as a guide, directory, and puzzle book combined. Specially commissioned illustrations by Thibaud Hérem represent 60 real and imagined mazes from around the world, with a bird's eye view of each maze so that readers can make their own journey. Each maze is also accompanied by a fascinating and witty short history.

Hone your spycaraft with this collection of over 40 espionage themed mazes, each one more challenging than the last. Highly visual, fun and brain stretching! All the answers are at the back of the book. Kids can develop their problem-solving and visual recognition, whilst finding out what it takes to become a master of spycraft.