Description
Ian Scheffler, journalist and aspiring "speedcuber," attempts to break into the international phenomenon of speedsolving the Rubik's Cube-think chess played at the speed of Ping-Pong-while exploring the greater lessons that can be learned through solving it.
When Hungarian professor Erno Rubik invented the Rubik's Cube (or, rather, his Cube) in 1974 out of wooden blocks, rubber bands, and paper clips, he didn't even know if it could be solved, let alone that it would become the world's most popular puzzle. Since its creation, the Cube has become many things to many people: one of the bestselling children's toys of all time, a symbol of intellectual prowess, a frustrating puzzle with 43.2 quintillion possible permutations, and now a worldwide sporting phenomenon that is introducing the classic brainteaser to a new generation.
In Cracking the Cube, Ian Scheffler reveals that cubing isn't just fun and games. Along with participating in speedcubing competitions-from the World Championship to local tournaments-and interviewing key figures from the Cube's history, he journeys to Budapest to seek a meeting with the legendary and notoriously reclusive Rubik, who is still tinkering away with puzzles in his seventies.
Getting sucked into the competitive circuit himself, Scheffler becomes engrossed in solving Rubik's Cube in under twenty seconds, the quasi-mystical barrier known as "sub-20," which is to cubing what four minutes is to the mile: the difference between the best and everyone else. As Scheffler learns from the many gurus who cross his path, from pint-sized kids to engineering professors, it's not just about memorizing algorithms or even solving all six sides-it's about discovering how to solve yourself.
About the Author
Ian Scheffler has written for The New Yorker, The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. He holds a degree in English from Columbia University, where he co-edited the Columbia Review. Cracking the Cube is his first book.
Reviews
"A brilliant journey into that magical toy that took over our lives, set world records and continues to fascinate kids and adults the world over. We've all had one. We've all played with one. Finally there's a book that explains 'why'." - Morgan Spurlock
Book Information
ISBN 9781501121937
Author Ian Scheffler
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Simon & Schuster
Publisher Simon & Schuster
Weight(grams) 303g
Dimensions(mm) 213mm * 140mm * 20mm
When Hungarian professor Erno Rubik invented the Rubik's Cube (or, rather, his Cube) in 1974 out of wooden blocks, rubber bands, and paper clips, he didn't even know if it could be solved, let alone that it would become the world's most popular puzzle. Since its creation, the Cube has become many things to many people: one of the bestselling children's toys of all time, a symbol of intellectual prowess, a frustrating puzzle with 43.2 quintillion possible permutations, and now a worldwide sporting phenomenon that is introducing the classic brainteaser to a new generation.
In Cracking the Cube, Ian Scheffler reveals that cubing isn't just fun and games. Along with participating in speedcubing competitions-from the World Championship to local tournaments-and interviewing key figures from the Cube's history, he journeys to Budapest to seek a meeting with the legendary and notoriously reclusive Rubik, who is still tinkering away with puzzles in his seventies.
Getting sucked into the competitive circuit himself, Scheffler becomes engrossed in solving Rubik's Cube in under twenty seconds, the quasi-mystical barrier known as "sub-20," which is to cubing what four minutes is to the mile: the difference between the best and everyone else. As Scheffler learns from the many gurus who cross his path, from pint-sized kids to engineering professors, it's not just about memorizing algorithms or even solving all six sides-it's about discovering how to solve yourself.
About the Author
Ian Scheffler has written for The New Yorker, The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. He holds a degree in English from Columbia University, where he co-edited the Columbia Review. Cracking the Cube is his first book.
Reviews
"A brilliant journey into that magical toy that took over our lives, set world records and continues to fascinate kids and adults the world over. We've all had one. We've all played with one. Finally there's a book that explains 'why'." - Morgan Spurlock
Book Information
ISBN 9781501121937
Author Ian Scheffler
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Simon & Schuster
Publisher Simon & Schuster
Weight(grams) 303g
Dimensions(mm) 213mm * 140mm * 20mm
