Items related to Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession...
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players - Hardcover
Synopsis
Follows the author, who was originally just a curious reporter and now a Scrabble fiend, as he becomes an expert Scrabble player and delves into the realm of Scrabble culture.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
Like a cross between a linguistic spy and a lexicographic Olympic athlete, journalist Stefan Fatsis gave himself a year to penetrate the highest echelons of international Scrabble competition. His aim was to progress from the casual living room player to get into the elite club of international Scrabble pros. Word Freak is the account of his journey. It's a wacky grab bag of travelogue, history, party journal and psychological study of the misfits and goofballs whose lives are measured out in Scrabble tiles.
Fatsis gives us all the facts about Scrabble--from the story of the down-on-his luck architect who invented the game in the 1930s to the intricacies of individual international competitions and the corporate wars to control the world's favourite word game. He is a good storyteller and keeps the reader turning the pages as we get involved in the lives of the Scrabble obsessives: men and women who have a point to prove against the world and have chosen Scrabble as their playground and their pulpit. As Fatsis goes on his own quest to attain the coveted 1600 rating we actually get obsessed with him as he lies awake at night pondering moves and memorising lists of words. For anybody who is interested in words and has ever been captivated and fascinated by Scrabble, Word Freak provides a compelling, entertaining and absorbing read. --Dwight Longenecker
Review
"This book has come close to ruining my life... Within two pages I was hooked. This is an enthralling and wonderfully written elegy" (Daily Telegraph)
"A remarkable book" (Independent)
"A quirky account of a very peculiar practice" (Herald)
"A very funny book" (Lynn Barber)
"An amiable memoir of self-inflicted obsession" (Times Literary Supplement)
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHoughton Mifflin
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0618015841
- ISBN 13 9780618015849
- BindingHardcover
- LanguageEnglish
- Number of pages372
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession...
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Seller: Gulf Coast Books, Memphis, TN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. Seller Inventory # 0618015841-4-21274445
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triump
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001
ISBN 10: 0618015841
ISBN 13: 9780618015849
Used
Hardcover
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00085884535
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triump
Published by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2001
ISBN 10: 0618015841
ISBN 13: 9780618015849
Used
Hardcover
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Item in good condition and has highlighting/writing on text. Used texts may not contain supplemental items such as CDs, info-trac etc. Seller Inventory # 00050342291
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # E18C-01099
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # K14A-03199
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Seller: Once Upon A Time Books, Siloam Springs, AR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear . This is a used book in good condition and may show some signs of use or wear . Seller Inventory # mon0001212629
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Seller: Once Upon A Time Books, Siloam Springs, AR, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Acceptable. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. This is a used book. It may contain highlighting/underlining and/or the book may show heavier signs of wear . It may also be ex-library or without dustjacket. Seller Inventory # mon0000766395
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Seller: More Than Words, Waltham, MA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. . . All orders guaranteed and ship within 24 hours. Before placing your order for please contact us for confirmation on the book's binding. Check out our other listings to add to your order for discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # BOS-O-14d-01215
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Seller: BookHolders, Towson, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: NONE ] [ Writing: NONE ] [ Edition: reprint ] Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Pub Date: 7/7/2001 Binding: Hardcover Pages: 384 reprint edition. Seller Inventory # 6500038
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
Word Freak: Heartbreak, Triumph, Genius, and Obsession in the World of Competitive Scrabble Players
Published by
Houghton Mifflin (edition First Edition), 2001
ISBN 10: 0618015841
ISBN 13: 9780618015849
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. First Edition. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 0618015841-11-1
Quantity: 1 available