Crossword Names to Know

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Essential Reference for All Crossword Puzzle Fans!
Review: If you are like me, you have probably picked up a few reference books over the years that you have been using to solve crossword puzzles. These books are great for many purposes . . . but leave me at sea (or "asea" as many puzzle answers call for) when it comes to popular culture names and references.

Now, that problem is behind me after acquiring and enjoying Shirley Kading's excellent resource, Crossword Names to Know.
Ms. Kading has done a great service by keeping track of the names and clues she has run into over the years where without specialized knowledge (either historical, cultural or entertainment) of many different periods no one would ever hope to get the answers. I checked through the book for all of the ones that drive me crazy . . . and found them in the book. Do you remember who the screenwriter was for The African Queen? Do you know who composed Scratch My Bach? Who was an actress in Zorba the Greek? If these aren't a cinch, you need this book.

This book will help a young puzzler learn older references (especially from early television and movies) and older puzzlers learn newer references (especially from recent television and movies).

I know that some purists think that you should never use a reference book. But what about reading and memorizing these answers? Wouldn't that be fair? The choice is up to you . . . as long as you have a copy of this fine book.

The book begins with a section of last names in alphabetical order. That section explains who the people are. So if you have the last name (or part of it) in the clue (or in your mind), you can get the rest.

If you have the first name but need the last name, the next two sections are for you. They have female and male first and last names in alphabetical order by first name. You also find out what the person did. So you can use these sections as cross references to find the last name you are looking for when just the first name is given or remembered by you.

The section I liked best is the last one, where clues to arts and entertainment names are in alphabetical order. The clues are often to movies, television shows, music, art works and some role played by the person. In most cases, you have more than one choice to get you started. From there, if the answer isn't in the book, you will just have to go back to a Web search having ruled out a number of the more obvious choices.

I think the book is a very good value. There are more than 480 pages of material with about 30 listings per page. Every listing that I knew the answer for was correct, so I'm assuming the others are as well.

Puzzle on!

Rating:
Summary: Nice names to know
Review: This book takes all of those names that you just can't put a finger on and lets you know it. It is cross referenced and is very helpful for an avid crossword puzzler. Great Book

Rating:
Summary: Nice names to know
Review: This book takes all of those names that you just can't put a finger on and lets you know it. It is cross referenced and is very helpful for an avid crossword puzzler. Great Book