Marvin Grosswirth (1931–1984)
Author of The Mensa Genius Quiz Book
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Mensa is an exclusive club for people in the highest echelons of IQ test results. Match Wits With Mensa reproduces the joy and excitement of answering questions and solving puzzles. If this sounds great, you might love this book.
The book is a collection; an omnibus edition of four books in one. As an indication of how old it is, Isaac Asimov wrote the introduction and I am pretty sure he died in 1992. Therefore, some of the trivia is slightly dated. This is quite limited though and should show more not detract from the enjoyment.
The puzzles and quizzes varied widely in difficulty. Some of them were quite easy and obvious. Others were from ancient times. They cast a wide net. I will be honest with my readers in this sense; I am not a genius or a member of Mensa. I had taken an IQ test several years ago and the result was 117. Higher than average but still not Mensa levels. This doesn’t really mean anything though. Most IQ tests test your ability to take IQ tests. This is a tautology in that sense, but it isn’t important to the book.
Anyway, I really liked the book. I bought it used, so someone wrote in it with a pen, which is something I loathe. I can understand the desire to make the book yours, but it really lowers its resale value. show less
The book is a collection; an omnibus edition of four books in one. As an indication of how old it is, Isaac Asimov wrote the introduction and I am pretty sure he died in 1992. Therefore, some of the trivia is slightly dated. This is quite limited though and should show more not detract from the enjoyment.
The puzzles and quizzes varied widely in difficulty. Some of them were quite easy and obvious. Others were from ancient times. They cast a wide net. I will be honest with my readers in this sense; I am not a genius or a member of Mensa. I had taken an IQ test several years ago and the result was 117. Higher than average but still not Mensa levels. This doesn’t really mean anything though. Most IQ tests test your ability to take IQ tests. This is a tautology in that sense, but it isn’t important to the book.
Anyway, I really liked the book. I bought it used, so someone wrote in it with a pen, which is something I loathe. I can understand the desire to make the book yours, but it really lowers its resale value. show less
Ever considered joining Mensa? I did once, so I researched it. I found, later, that it wasn't the type of organization I had in mind, and so I didn't join it in the end (Don't assume it was either because of faults with Mensa or a lack of intellect on my part, for neither of those reasons are true. I met all the requirements for joining, but chose not to join). Before that, though, I stumbled upon several intriguing books on the subject, including two Mensa Genius Quiz Books, written by show more (with contributions from) actual Mensa members. These books present a series of quizzes in trivia, vocabulary, reasoning/logic/mathematics, and "classics" (brain teasers), and include some text on why it's important to build these quadrants of your brain.
The ever prominent theme was: "If you don't use it, you lose it."
Likewise, in the back, next to each solution is a percentage of how many Mensa members got the question correct.
If you're one of those people who enjoys brain-sharpening activities, then the Mensa Genius Quiz Book may very well be for you. Who knows, maybe it'll make you want to join Mensa as well. show less
The ever prominent theme was: "If you don't use it, you lose it."
Likewise, in the back, next to each solution is a percentage of how many Mensa members got the question correct.
If you're one of those people who enjoys brain-sharpening activities, then the Mensa Genius Quiz Book may very well be for you. Who knows, maybe it'll make you want to join Mensa as well. show less
This is at least my second time completing this book though I think it more like the fourth. It has a wide range of puzzles. This includes ones requiring scrap paper or, my favorite, called by Lewis Carroll "Pillow Problems". These are conundrums to drift off to sleep while considering. Included with the answers are the percentage of a Mensa panel members that solver the problem to help compare yourself.
If you're taking a test in which you're given a limited time in which to finish, firstshow more
tackle the questions you can answer immediately, without taking time to think. After you've done that, go over the ones you skipped and answer those that require a brief moment of thought. Finally, do the ones you really have to ponder over.show less
Always review your work. People often find a care less error or two that can be immediately corrected. You may also find that you missed an important direction or instruction, for which you may be penalized.
And above all, remember to come to any test fresh, rested, and in as cheerful a mood as circumstances will allow. That alone can add 10 percent to your score.
In the follow-up volume to the previous Mensa Genius Quiz Book, this delightful, and possibly difficult to locate volume has you match your wits against Mensans. In the end, it's basically a trivia book, but one geared towards "the upper second percentile."
Also contains an excellent and laugh-out-loud funny epilogue focused on the phrase "I thought you were supposed to be smart."
This book would be enjoyable to Mensans, those interested in Mensa, as well as trivia buffs. I enjoyed it.
Also contains an excellent and laugh-out-loud funny epilogue focused on the phrase "I thought you were supposed to be smart."
This book would be enjoyable to Mensans, those interested in Mensa, as well as trivia buffs. I enjoyed it.
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