Across the universe : the past, present, and future of the crossword puzzle / Natan Last.
A look at the history of the crossword, who constructs it, and why it matters as both a reflection of and influence on our culture. From WORDLE to SPELLING BEE, we live in a time of word game mania. Crosswords, in particular, gained renewed popularity during the Covid-19 lockdown, when games became another kind of refuge. Today, 36 million Americans solve crosswords once a week or more, and nearly 23 million solve them daily. Yet, as longtime New Yorker crossword contributor Natan Last will tell you, the seemingly apolitical puzzle has never been more controversial. In recent years, popular puzzle makers like The New York Times--the original and still the gold standard for word games--have been challenged for the way they prioritize certain cultures and perspectives as either the norm (read: white and male) or obscure (everyone else). At the same time, the crossword has never been more democratic. A larger, younger, more tech-savvy, and solidaristic group of people have fallen in love with puzzle solving, ushering in a more inclusive rise to the kinds of people constructing them, challenging the very idea of them and, in fact, what 'normal' actually is. With a critical eye toward its history, Natan Last explores the debates about the future of the crossword and investigates those who want the puzzle to transform into a tool of progressivism; ultimately, asking if the crossword can help us reshape the world.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780553387704
- ISBN: 0553387707
- Physical Description: xxiv, 306 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm
- Edition: First hardcover edition.
- Publisher: New York : Pantheon Books, a division of Penguin Random House, 2025.
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 257-292) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Author's note -- Introduction: It turns into a different story -- Part 1. The crossword should be data -- Part 2. The crossword should be a soapbox -- Part 3. The crossword should be art -- Zooming out.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Crossword puzzles > History.
Crossword puzzles.
Available copies
- 14 of 14 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at McDowell County Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 14 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion Library | 793.732 LAS (Text) | 37810435637540 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
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| 245 | 1 | 0. | ‡aAcross the universe : ‡bthe past, present, and future of the crossword puzzle / ‡cNatan Last. |
| 246 | 3 | 0. | ‡aPast, present, and future of the crossword puzzle |
| 250 | . | ‡aFirst hardcover edition. | |
| 264 | 1. | ‡aNew York : ‡bPantheon Books, a division of Penguin Random House, ‡c2025. | |
| 300 | . | ‡axxiv, 306 pages : ‡billustrations ; ‡c25 cm | |
| 336 | . | ‡atext ‡btxt ‡2rdacontent | |
| 337 | . | ‡aunmediated ‡bn ‡2rdamedia | |
| 338 | . | ‡avolume ‡bnc ‡2rdacarrier | |
| 504 | . | ‡aIncludes bibliographical references (pages 257-292) and index. | |
| 505 | 2 | . | ‡aAuthor's note -- Introduction: It turns into a different story -- Part 1. The crossword should be data -- Part 2. The crossword should be a soapbox -- Part 3. The crossword should be art -- Zooming out. |
| 520 | . | ‡aA look at the history of the crossword, who constructs it, and why it matters as both a reflection of and influence on our culture. From WORDLE to SPELLING BEE, we live in a time of word game mania. Crosswords, in particular, gained renewed popularity during the Covid-19 lockdown, when games became another kind of refuge. Today, 36 million Americans solve crosswords once a week or more, and nearly 23 million solve them daily. Yet, as longtime New Yorker crossword contributor Natan Last will tell you, the seemingly apolitical puzzle has never been more controversial. In recent years, popular puzzle makers like The New York Times--the original and still the gold standard for word games--have been challenged for the way they prioritize certain cultures and perspectives as either the norm (read: white and male) or obscure (everyone else). At the same time, the crossword has never been more democratic. A larger, younger, more tech-savvy, and solidaristic group of people have fallen in love with puzzle solving, ushering in a more inclusive rise to the kinds of people constructing them, challenging the very idea of them and, in fact, what 'normal' actually is. With a critical eye toward its history, Natan Last explores the debates about the future of the crossword and investigates those who want the puzzle to transform into a tool of progressivism; ultimately, asking if the crossword can help us reshape the world. | |
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| 650 | 0. | ‡aCrossword puzzles. ‡0(CARDINAL)696855 | |
| 901 | . | ‡a15719459 ‡bOCoLC ‡c15719459 ‡tbiblio ‡sSystem Local | |
