Lateral Thinking Puzzlers

by Paul Sloane, Paul Sloane, Des MacHale

Logic is not enough. Edward de Bono coined the phrase "lateral thinking" to describe a process of thinking that is different from normal, vertical or forward thinking. Here are nearly a hundred mind-benders, from easy to fiendishly hard, that make you think laterally in order to explain the set of circumstances surrounding a seemingly inexplicable situation. 96 pages, 18 b/w illus., 5 3/8 x 8 1/4.

Genres: Puzzles, Nonfiction, Mathematics, Reference, Psychology, Games

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Paul Sloane read Engineering at Trinity Hall Cambridge. He came top of Sales School at IBM, became MD of Ashton-Tate UK, VP International for MathSoft and CEO of Monactive. He now writes, speaks and gives workshops on lateral thinking in business, creativity, innovation and leadership. He is married and lives in Camberley in Surrey. He has three grown-up daughters. He is a keen chess and tennis player and he plays keyboards in a rock band, the Fat Cats. He has written a series of lateral thinking puzzle books, many co-authored with Des MacHale, published by Sterling Publishing. They have sold over 2 million copies and been translated into many languages. He has also written two management books, published by Kogan Page, and many articles for blogs and websites. He manages the Lateral Puzzles Forum where puzzlers can set and solve lateral puzzles.

Reviews

[Mahin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had seen the name of the book in 'Art and Craft of Problem Solving' where the author suggested it as a warm-up work on Lateral Thinking.

In some sense this book is unique. It is the only puzzle book I've ever seen where the puzzles are purely thought oriented. You don't have to have any external skill except sharp peripheral vision. The Solution of some of the puzzles is so blurry. But allover I would say this book is incomparable.

[Lincoln · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read "Lateral Thinking Puzzlers" by Paul Sloane. I thought this book was really interesting. It’s a book that you start off by reading a short story that doesn’t make sense, then you flip to the middle of the book to find out clues, then you flip to the back of the book to figure out the answer to the strange story. Somthing I really enjoyed is that it had to do with interesting topics like uncommon deaths. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes solving puzzles or people over the age of 12, because some of the stories could be too much for young children.

[Ivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

why wouldn't he use a pen or something to reach the button he needs?

[Maurizio Codogno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Questo smilzo libretto raccoglie un certo numero di problemi da risolvere usando il cosiddetto "pensiero laterale", concetto reso famoso vari decenni fa da Edward De Bono e il cui nome a dire il vero non mi è mai piaciuto troppo: fosse per me lo definirei "pensiero a tutto tondo". Nell'improbabile caso voi non ne aveste mai sentito parlare, il pensiero laterale è quello che permette di risolvere un problema i cui dati non sono definiti nel problema stesso ("Un padre ha il doppio degli anni del figlio. Dieci anni fa aveva il triplo dei suoi anni. Quanti anni hanno?") ma richiedono conoscenze esterne o la verifica di una condizione necessaria ("L'altro ieri Anna aveva 17 anni. L'anno prossimo ne compierà 20. Com'è possibile?")
I problemi sono tutti dei classici, o perlomeno io ne conoscevo la maggior parte. Non tutti sono davvero di pensiero laterale, oscillando spesso verso quello che in inglese chiamano conundrum. Esempio tipico: "Un aereo che in una missione durante la seconda guerra mondiale apre il portellone della stiva con le bombe, bombe che però non cascano. Come mai?" La parte più interessante è quella centrale con gli indizi, che sono messi sotto forma di domande con risposta sì o no, che man mano mettono sulla retta via il solutore.

[Peter J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

For as long as I can remember, I've enjoyed lateral thinking problems and Paul Sloane is the chronicling king of them. These include some of the most famous (but being the first in an every expanding series it's nowhere near them all - or even all of the best). But figuring out (or sometimes just reading) the answers out hasn't ceased to be fun.

[James Swenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed this on the way out to an appointment today, and read the first puzzle out loud to my eight-year-old. By asking good questions (and getting some leading hints), she thought of the answer just as it was time to leave, to the great relief of the dentist's receptionist. It was a big hit! We all join in recommending the book.

[B. P. Rinehart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Sloane's lateral thinking puzzles were some of the most left-field and intriguing I had ever read. After reading some of the puzzles you will realize these aren't your average thinking excercises. I will never for get first reading them and I think showing them to friends and family.

[Romy Aji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it's gonna be fun if there's no test with history of another country because i always wrong to answer that. Unfortunately, my skill to think is most of left brain so i have many wrong answers. But it's something new to improve and develop my concept for lateral thinking, thank you!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students love these puzzles. I teach 5th. The first part of the book is at a level where they can infer the answers. They practice thinking creatively, looking for evidence, and making inferences. The Wally Tests are the best!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frustratingly fun!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good way to pass time.

[Mya B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book!!!!!