Grid Lock: Crossword Puzzles and the Mad Geniuses Who Create Them

A fun read with lots of interesting 'insider' info. Not just for crossword puzzle solvers. Will make a nice, inexpensive gift (stocking stuffer?).

"Life is like a bunch of chocolates..." and so is Gaffney's book, or in this case, a selection of chapters each with a different, delicious filling and wrapped in a smooth cruciverbal covering. Even those only remotely familiar with crossword puzzles will find something of interest in this delightful book (which is actually a fleshed-out collection of magazine articles). There's a behind-the-scenes look at the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament which had me laughing out loud. Gaffney's easy going style and self-deprecating manner are hard to resist. The man truly likes people and this affability percolates through the book. There is also a lot of drama and emotion. From Gaffney's struggle to make it as a professional puzzle creator to his meeting with Henry Hook, a former heavy-weight of puzzledom who is now a penurious, reclusive misanthrope. I remember seeing Hook's byline in many magazines and admiring his wonderfully crafted puzzles. I imagined him living out his final days in comfortable retirement. Alas, nothing could be further from the truth. There's also a measure of science where Gaffney and a colleague go head-to-head with computers to see who can create the better fill for a crossword puzzle grid. (You'll have to read the book to find out who won.) So put down your SuDoku puzzles (sorry, Matt!) long enough to go and buy this book. You will definitely enjoy it. And you might be inspired to solve or even (who knows?) create a crossword puzzle.