Headscratchers: The New Scientist Puzzle Book (Paperback) - Rob Eastaway

A mind-bending collection of puzzles from the New Scientist published in book form for the first time

'A fantastic and varied collection of problems authored by some of the best puzzle setters around' - Alex Bellos

'A book of delightful puzzles. It's just as good as you'd expect.' - Tim Harford

'A marvellous miscellany of mysteries' - Simon Singh

'Hours of arguing and puzzling. I loved it.' - Matt Parker

This highly engaging collection of 70 puzzles comes from the popular weekly column in New Scientist magazine. You'll find puzzles that are great for sharing with friends at a pub, problems drawn from real-life situations, games with intriguing strategies, and puzzles with such creative and whimsical storylines that they need to be explained to be believed.


With the solutions you'll read the untold back stories behind the puzzles, and a fascinating exploration of related puzzles and mathematical ideas. You'll learn why a particular puzzle adaptation involved talking to an expert in sheep genetics, which solution was thought up by the BBC Radio 5 Drive team, and outside-the-box solutions to apparently straightforward challenges. This book is a must for any lover of puzzles or recreational mathematics.

About the Author

Rob Eastaway is the puzzle advisor for New Scientist's puzzle column. He is the author of several bestselling books on everday maths, including Maths On The Back of an Envelope, Why do Buses Come in Threes? and Maths for Mums and Dads. He lives in London.
Brian Hobbs is the host of the acclaimed podcast Brain Drop Puzzles. His puzzles also appear frequently in New Scientist. He lives near Dallas, Texas.