241 Real-World Brain Teasers. Guided problem-solving in Inventions, Nature, Uncommon Trivia, and Business Innovation.

by Invent and Discover

Do you love trivia quizzes... but wish these didn't rely so much on useless facts that you either know or you don't, leaving no room for actual thinking ? Do you enjoy logic puzzles... but want to learn something more valuable than just getting correct answers to abstract, theoretical problems? Something more practical and fundamental ? The problems in this book are related to erudition in fundamental areas - nature, technology, business, science, how things work, or why things are made in a certain way. But, unlike in trivia or jeopardy, you most probably do not know the answer. Instead, logic, out-of-the-box thinking, or intuition leap should be added to your general knowledge to puzzle out the correct solution. Experience walking in the footsteps of discoverers, inventors, and innovators through taking on real-world problems that challenge you to tap into lateral thinking and creativity. In this book, you will
Sharpen your logic,
improve your analytical abilities,
enhance your creativity,
and develop your lateral thinking skills,
all while having fun and learning more about the world around you.

Genres: Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

Published December 7, 2021

Reviews

[Alisa Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much better than expected!


I decided to get this book as more of a coffee table book, but I really wasn’t expecting it to be so interesting and addicting. First, the questions span very broad categories such as nature, history, and business, so you don’t feel like there’s too much in just one area. The questions are not a matter of simply ‘you know it or you don’t” because they are posed in a way you can puzzle it out, using your own knowledge and logic too. This makes searching for the solution fun and learning something new much more interactive. I also love that you can flip a page to see a hint and then flip a page to see the answer and explanation, so you don’t have to jump back and forth or look at the end of the book. This makes it unique in this regard as other fun fact books make it harder to get to the answers. Overall, this is actually really entertaining and can be a solo or a group activity. Highly recommend!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. It turned out to be an easy, interesting and informative read that will inspire you to think outside-the-box with your own innovations. For example, the Japanese creative ad company that made their clients' brochures into something useful so people wouldn't throw them away. I won't give it away :) but it something easy and so very clever!

[Murtaza Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing !!!

An amazing source of Information which seduces knowledge the world around us. Truly Thankful to the Maker(s) of this Book.

[BigGirl BigBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like i know them all but there were some great new ones here in a great volume of brain teasers, better than any app or game.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of really interesting facts that could be easily adapted for use in a classroom with kids to keep them engaged.
I like that there were hints and clues to help you figure it out along the way.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daryl P Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational and entertaining on its own, good resource for groups.

This book contains lots of scenarios illustrating creativity and ingenuity. The reader is challenged with a description of the problem or situation, then given a hint about the core element and finally an explanation of the answer. There are 241 of these and they are arranged in themes of similar questions or topics in each section. Each section opens with one question to ease you in. Subsequent questions are grouped into three or four at a time with hints between the problem or situation. There are bonuses attached to the book with eight additional problems and a very potentially useful resource of the SCAMPER method for brainstorming. I can see this text being used in schools, universities and workplaces with groups challenging each other and getting creative juices flowing.
There is satisfaction in remembering (they are all factually based so you may already know the solution), puzzling or guessing correctly, but even more value in being wrong and learning something. I have two degrees from a world famous University and am not ashamed to admit that I learned a lot. My only slight quibble is the author assigning difficulty and casting them into three categories. I found some in the easiest category challenging and conversely several in the most difficult category were easy and simple. I can see the purpose of easing people into the flow of the task, but level of difficulty in this context is somewhat subjective.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bonnie Rose Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

241 Real-World Brain Teasers is a great book to help both kids and adults challenge their minds and sharpen their critical thinking and deduction skills. The brain teasers draw from a variety of topics. They are short but engaging. I continually found myself wanting to read the next one, the one after that, etc. I found the clues to be very helpful in starting to guide thoughts in the right direction to find the solution.

I think the book is excellent for adults and teenagers. It can easily work for younger students, even as young as elementary ages, with a few things to be aware of. The book is kid-friendly, as it states it was designed to be. However, there are some references to things such as alcohol and bars; bets, gambling, the Mafia, and casinos; various religious customs; folk tales and fortune telling; cigarettes and tobacco; and other similar topics that may not be appropriate for all ages or all children. None of the references are made in a gratuitous way. All are mentioned matter-of-factly as part of the context for the brain teaser. But some parents and teachers may want to be aware and consider skipping these specific puzzles if preferred.

I found the book to be very enjoyable, and it would make a great addition to a family’s library. It is also perfect for road trips or occasions when the family can discuss the brain teasers together. This book provides 241 ready-made conversation starters just waiting to be discussed!

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Mahathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best thing about the book is that it's educational and good for all knowledge levels and ages. The book is divided into 3 parts - easy , intermediate and challenging. In each part, there are different sections like questions about culture,business innovations, human behavior, customs and traditions etc., There is a hint for each question and answers are mostly on the next page. No need to go to the end of the book and check index for answers. That's pretty easy to read. It's interesting for me to read these questions, guess answers and check against the answers in the book. I liked that we can stop anywhere and pick it up from there any other day as all sections are independent. Good to read a few questions daily before sleeping.
Ps: I have received the print copy of the book in exchange for a review and this is my honest opinion on the book.

[Mia Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Invent and Discover’s “241 Real-World Brain Teasers.: Guided problem-solving in Inventions, Nature, Uncommon Trivia, and Business Innovation”. (Invent and Discover)

This is an interesting book with brain teaser/problems With tips and techniques to aid in your brainstorming and thinking abilities. The problems are categorized in sections titled Easy, Intermediate and Extra Challenging.

In the e-book version the back-and-forth format between the problems, the hints and the answers was tiresome but otherwise the formatting was well done.

With an array of interesting topics, the problems are intriguing and may even inspire further reading our interest.

I do like the idea of having a game night and sharing the problems with friends and family for fun brainstorming sessions and forward to coordinating that very soon. You’ll definitely need your thinking cap for this one.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t Live Up to Promise

This publisher proclaims this is a different kind of “brain teaser” book. Not a trivia or mini-story book, but rather a book to help hone your thinking skills to see “outside of the box.”

Unfortunately, the book wasn’t as promised. Even with “guided problem-solving” (as stated in the subtitle) in the form of hints, many of these so-called brain teasers went sideways fast. The exercises did not live up to the claim that no prior knowledge of the “brain teasers” was needed to figure out the right answers. The “answers” were sometimes obvious, but the hints were not always helpful… and some answers were so “outside of the box” to be barely in the same universe! If you are looking for a true brain teaser book, this is not one. It does have some fun facts, and interesting backgrounds/stories.

All in all, I was disappointed by this “brain teaser” book.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did n to affect my review.

[Sindy Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solving the problems, puzzles and challenges that this book suggests, is as entertaining as it is instructive. Not only does it keep thinking and creativity active, but it helps to change the perspective, find different solutions and compare them with what has actually been done. A great exercise that will not let your own mind deteriorate!
____________
Resolver los problemas, acertijos y retos que sugiere este libro, es tan entretenido como aleccionador. No sólo mantiene activo el pensamiento y la creatividad, sino que ayuda a cambiar la perspectiva, encontrar diferentes soluciones y compararlas con las que se ha hecho realmente. ¡Un estupendo ejercicio que no dejará deteriorar la propia mente!

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this book very much, I will admit that I got a little irritated that there was no real asking a question and providing the answer. There was a whole lot of long rambled statements and then answers to questions that were never asked. With the exception of the no question/answer issue this is exactly the type of book that I have been purchasing for my son for decades and am looking forward to starting to purchase for my grandson when he gets just a little bit older.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book with its real life brain teasers, each of which came with a helpful hint and then a nicely explained answer. This book is definitely going to increase the random facts that I drag out at opportune moments. A fun, interesting read - probably perfect to have on a coffee table where you can glance through it when you have a few moments to kill.

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of teasers. Some easy some so hard your brain hurts trying to figure them out. Something for everyone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anna Junker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really makes you think…

One can learn a lot from this book. It’s filled with so many questions and hints that really makes on think and if you don’t know the answer, it’s provided which allowed me to learn new and interesting things.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the format of these brain teasers, and the interesting things you could learn as you were solving (some historical information). I also liked how it could be used different ways solo or in a group.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chris Marks · Rating 1 out of 5]

A trivia book trying to be something more... and failing miserably.

[Vladimir Petrov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book with complex problems and their unexpected, original solutions.
I highly recommend picking up this entire book.

[Annae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

Perfect for quickly reading a few pages at a time while waiting in lines. Interesting information, always something you can learn.