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Hamman's latest work explores the Bible through a popular word hobby—crosswords. The modern version of crosswords was created in December 1913 by New York World editor Arthur Wynne. He created it right before World War I, and when war eventually broke out, the crossword was used to help people cope with the bleak news. This mirrors exactly what Hamman has created—a fun and engaging collection of puzzles that also uplifts through the use of scriptures from the books of the Bible. His first series covers the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, along with the Acts of the Apostles.
Before readers begin the puzzles, Hamman wisely explores each section, providing summaries of each chapter. For example, he explains that the fourteenth chapter is about John the Baptist being imprisoned by King Herod. It is also very handy that Hamman created heading outlines for each chapter. There is also an area where readers can put their own notes. This is unlike anything that readers (or puzzlers) will find in commercial puzzle books with a Bible theme. Usually, crossword puzzle books contain only the clues, and there are no guides to help one learn more about God. There is also another feature that is different from books readers would find from popular commercial puzzle creators like Brain Games or Kappa Puzzles: a personal touch that gives Hamman's work a charming, authentic feel. Additionally, the author candidly shares his personal journey with Christ in the book's final section.
This is a fine example of a tool to teach people about the Bible. It seems not to have been just created for those who are already experts on Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and the Acts of the Apostles. Those who get stuck on any puzzle clues would be happy to know that the clue tells exactly where to find the answer in the Bible. The first puzzle covers the first three chapters of Matthew. Therefore, the reader would find everything they needed in those chapters if they got stuck on a clue. That is not only helpful but also encourages the person to go further and read more than what has been listed. Hamman has set up a nice layout to pique the curiosity of any "novice Christian."
That's not to say that devout Christians are being left out in the cold. Rather, they will find the book to be the perfect way to test their knowledge, with easy to more difficult questions like "He was the father of Amminadab." Overall, Hamman has created a book for anyone who wants to learn God's teachings while providing a sense of fun and relaxation. It's a good way for individuals to step away from technology for a few hours and reset when the world can be negative. As mentioned earlier, crosswords were a way to help with bleak times. Hamman's book will likely help readers find the faith and spiritual knowledge to get through even the hardest times. In short, this is not just a book of puzzles but rather an encouraging guide to deeper understanding.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review