
Transcriber's note
The Handbook of Conundrums
Edith B. Ordway
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I Early English Wit
CHAPTER II Mythological Conundrums
CHAPTER III Biblical Conundrums
CHAPTER IV Historical Conundrums
CHAPTER V Conundrums of the Civil War Period
This volume works like a grindstone for the mind, inviting listeners to sharpen their wit on a surface polished with centuries of wordplay. Its pages gather riddles that hinge on clever puns, each presented with just enough context to spark curiosity without giving the answer away. Whether you’re a casual puzzler or a seasoned conundrum enthusiast, the collection offers a steady challenge that balances humor and insight.
The editor weaves the puzzles into a rich tapestry of cultural history, from ancient Norse contests for Thor’s daughter to the legendary Sphinx’s query at Thebes. Brief essays accompany the riddles, revealing how different societies have prized the ability to decipher hidden meanings. As you work through the first act of the book, you’ll find yourself drawn into a lively dialogue between language and imagination, perfect for a thoughtful listening experience.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (174K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Edwards and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
Jun 19, 2010
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1877–1944
Best known for turning everyday know-how into lively, practical books, this early 20th-century American writer moved comfortably from social manners to wordplay and opera. Her work suggests a compiler with a gift for making culture feel approachable and entertaining.
View all books
by Edith B. (Edith Bertha) Ordway

by Edith B. (Edith Bertha) Ordway

by Royall Tyler

by Ben Jonson

by Ben Jonson

by Joseph Crosby Lincoln

by Ludvig Holberg

by Royall Tyler