Across the Universe

The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle

By: Natan Last

Narrated by: Natan Last

An entertaining and eye-opening look at the history of the crossword, who constructs them, and why crosswords matter as both a reflection of and influence on our culture

From Wordle to Spelling Bee, we live in a time of word game mania. Crosswords in particular gained renewed popularity during the Covid-19 lockdown, when games became another kind of refuge. Today, 36 million Americans solve crosswords once a week or more, and nearly 23 million solve them daily. Yet, as longtime New Yorker crossword contributor Natan Last will tell you, the seemingly apolitical puzzle has never been more controversial—or more interesting.

A surprisingly ubiquitous influence in the worlds of art, literature, and technology, as Last demonstrates, the puzzle and its most popular purveyors—including publications such as The New York Times, still the gold standard for word games—have in recent years been challenged for the way they prioritize certain cultures and perspectives as the norm, demoting others to obscurity. At the same time, the crossword has never been more democratic. A larger, younger, more tech-savvy, and solidaristic group of people have fallen in love with puzzle solving, ushering in a more inclusive community of constructors, challenging the very idea of what "normal" actually means.

With a critical eye toward the puzzle's history, Natan Last explores the debates about the future of the crossword and investigates those who are determining its next phase, ultimately asking if the crossword can help us reshape the world. Across the Universe interrogates all the ways words—and the games we make using those words—change our culture, while bringing us into the world of those pushing for the crossword's much-needed evolution.

*Includes a downloadable PDF featuring solution grids, historical images, and more from the printed book

Last’s Love of Arranging Words Shines

Mr. Last has written a book that is equal parts history and valentine to the art and artistry of the crossword puzzle. It is no surprise to hear that he has not just a researchers knowledge of his topic, but personal experience of what goes into the making and editing of a puzzle. His nimble ability to create imaginative turns of phrases is repeatedly apparent in his text. This being Mr. Last’s first narration of his own material, the first pages are a bit halting. However, once he warms up, the reading becomes fluid and a pure pleasure to experience. Highly recommended.

Awful

This is a terrible audio book. I’m extremely disappointed that I wasted a credit on this bilious crud. I wish refunds were available.