SKU: 38592961442

Ancient Puzzles

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Description

Ancient PuzzlesMatch wits with the great minds of the world's greatest civilizations in this fascinating collection of ancient conundrums, brainteasers, and mind benders. What do prehistoric bone markings and modern computer science have in common? What is the mystery of pi that stumped generations of ancient mathematicians? What are the ancient puzzle origins of popular games such as tic tac toe and chess? Can you solve the puzzles posed to emperor Charlemagne by

Match wits with the great minds of the world's greatest civilizations in this fascinating collection of ancient conundrums, brainteasers, and mind-benders.

- What do prehistoric bone markings and modern computer science have in common?
- What is the mystery of pi that stumped generations of ancient mathematicians?
- What are the ancient puzzle origins of popular games such as tic-tac-toe and chess?
- Can you solve the puzzles posed to emperor Charlemagne by Alcuin of York?
- What's the secret lore behind magic squares that captured the imagination of Chinese emperors, Persian mystics, and Benjamin Franklin?

Dominic Olivastro presents a popular history of mathematics by focusing on the puzzles that civilizations posed for their own education and entertainment. Here are classic "puzzle problems" from ancient Africa, Egypt, Persia, China, and Greece and from cultures and texts spanning the Middle Ages and the Renaissance all the way to the present.

Each puzzle is linked with insightful folk and scientific history that helps shed light on the mysterious purpose and origin of the problem. Fascinating clues for figuring out answers draw on modern problem-solving techniques and lead to ancient secrets that, before now, have rarely been understood. Whether you decipher them for their historical significance, classical wisdom, or just for the sheer, maddening fun of it, these delightful puzzles provide a unique, entertaining, and enlightening guide to the evolution of the human mind.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Random House
Published: 11/01/1993
ISBN: 9780553372977
Pages: 288
Weight: 0.98lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.22w x 0.72d

Review Citations: Booklist 11/01/1993 pg. 498
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SKU: 38592961442

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4.6 ★★★★★
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VanillaPepper
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Indestructible Toys My Dobermans ❤️
Size: Large, Color: Mesh Green
Actually Respect! goDog Is a Lifesaver The variety of size and colors are phenomenal 😇 I have two Dobermans — serious, determined power chewers — and I’ve spent years trying to find toys that survive even a few days. I’ve tried the big brands (Kong, Goughnuts, Jolly Ball, you name it) — and while some toys last a little while, almost everything eventually ends up shredded, de-squeaked, or in pieces. goDog toys are the ONLY plush toys my Dobermans won’t destroy. We own multiple goDog toys now — dragons, dinosaurs, lizards — mostly in the large size (perfect for Dobermans), but even a few medium-sized ones hold up surprisingly well. Here’s what’s amazing: • They love them — actually carry them around, toss them, chew them gently, and squeak them happily. • They do not rip them apart — no matter how much tugging, chewing, or wrestling happens. • Large sizes are best for Dobermans (and other big breeds) — but even mediums survive for calmer play sessions. • No ripped seams, no stuffing everywhere, and no destroyed squeakers after months of use. What makes goDog toys different? The secret is their Chew Guard Technology — • A reinforced, high-strength inner mesh layer under the soft plush • Double-stitched seams • Durable yet flexible material that somehow resists punctures, tears, and brutal shaking The outside stays soft and fun, but the inside is built like armor. It’s NOT a super hard rubber or rough canvas — it still feels like a cuddle toy, but it’s engineered to survive serious chewing. Materials include: • Durable polyester plush • Chew Guard inner lining (high-tensile mesh fabric) • Reinforced stitching • Non-toxic squeakers • Safe for dogs to play with long-term Real Owner Advice: • Always size up if you have a heavy chewer — large sizes are a must for Dobermans or similarly strong breeds. • Medium sizes are fine if you supervise or your dog is more moderate with toys, but the large toys are built tougher overall. Final Thoughts: If you have big dogs, strong jaws, or just tired of wasting money on destroyed toys — goDog toys are a must. No other plush-style toy even comes close. My Dobermans will destroy almost anything… but they treat their goDog toys like treasured companions. No holes, no rips, just happy dogs. Follow me here on Amazon for more honest, dog-tested reviews! Like this review if it helped — I’ll be uploading even more proven tough toys and pet essentials soon!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2025
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BB
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 4
Surface Fabric is very durable
Size: Small, Color: Hot Pink
Surface Fabric is very durable, but the squeaker didn't last two months. I have urged the manufacturer to find a strong more durable squeaker for their product. My dogs really enoys it when the speaker works. One of his 3 work. I have just bought two more he likes them so much. He takes it to bed every night to catch it once or twice before sleeping. Also loves to catch it a few times during the day.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2026
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Taraknits
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Best. Toy. Ever. For My Superchewer!
Size: Large, Color: Skinny Green, Size: Large, Color: Skinny Green
Best toy ever! My dog destroys toys. Usually within about 15 minutes, she has de-squeakered and defluffed them. By the second day, she has tug-of-war-ed them to shreds. From the time we got this adorable dragon out of the package, she LOVED it. She set to work. It’s been a week, and while she has dewinged him, he lost his squeaker after a few days, and he looks a bit rough, he’s still in one piece! And, we’ve had HOURS of tug-of-war with minimal rips! She’s obsessed 😍 I ordered two more today. We’ve finally found the perfect toy for my baby!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2026
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SnowshoePete
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
My 90 lb. Pitbull's All-Time Fave Toy
Size: Large, Color: Coral, Size: Large, Color: Coral
I ordered a plethora of new toys for Bruce to keep him occupied while I am working remotely from home. Poor guy gets so bored while I'm stuck in front of my computer 8+ hours a day. All the other toys are animated, but this one is just a big floppy chewy squeaky toy. Bruce quickly lost interest in all the other chirping, hopping, and twirling toys and fell in love with "Diny". When I opened Diny and gave it to Bruce, he had the elated and surprised look of a 3 yr old at Christmas. And he stayed that happy for hours, and then each time he picked up Diny to play. Diny became his go-to toy over all others (and there are many!). It is well made out of durable fabric, and they did not stuff it full of kapoc (I hate kapoc in dogs toys!). And it is delightfully low-tech. Normally he tears a squeaky toy apart as soon as he can isolate the squeaky mechanism. But cleverly, the squeaky box is loose in the long belly so it moves from one end to the other as the toy is handled. That made it difficult for Bruce to locate it. The toy remained in good condition for 2 weeks of near constant attention by Bruce. But yesterday he zeroed in on the squeaky box and ripped Diny to shreds. I was sad to see Diny go so soon. But boy-howdy was Bruce happy with it. I'm gonna buy another because we liked it so much. And so did I : )
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Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
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Jason W
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
This is one “under the radar” gem!!
Size: Large, Color: Coral
This is one “under the radar” gem!! Very strong internal squeaker and way tougher than it looks. My big 125lb Shepard-Husky mix gave it heck, then made it his new buddy. He’ll occasionally give it the business but on the whole, it’s surprisingly tough and my big boy loves it. Nice price!!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026

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