The book is organized into sections on the “Silly and Surprising”, “Language” tricks, the “Unbelievable but True”, “Math”, Physics, Statistics, Philosophy, Logic, Faith, Legal Terms, Economics, and Politics. The introduction helps to explain the subject of “paradoxes” by examples such as that Theseus “asked whether a ship whose rotten planks have been replaced one by one over the years is the same ship as the original”. More usefully Quine is quoted: “A veridical paradox packs a surprise, but the surprise quickly dissipates itself as we ponder the proof. A falsidical paradox packs a surprise, but it is seen as a false alarm when we solve the underlying fallacy…”
So, the first part on “Quotidian Riddles” begins with a chapter that explains the statistics of why most people on average have friends with more friends than they do. The explanation is that outliers with too many friends are likely to skew the statistics in their friend-groups. The following explanation includes almost no numbers, and does not really address the falsehood in this assumption, or data-manipulation potential. Chapter “2: Waiting for Godot: The Elevator Paradox” thankfully begins by answering the conundrum logically. It takes longer for people to see an elevator if they live at the top floors. Physicists studying the problem found that “there is one-in-six chance… that the first elevator he encounters will be going up. But there’s a five-in-six chance… that the first elevator will be going down.” What? How can there be such a small chance of either of these seemingly 50/50 choices? No numbers were given previously to explain how these statistics were arrived at. This mathematician is not showing the work, as the author seems to be summarizing conclusions reached by others without attempting to follow the logic, or being seriously interested in presenting the precise reasoning behind a solution. Thus, those who are interested in advanced statistics are going to be deeply frustrated, as they either have to search for each of the mentioned studies to figure out what this guys is talking about, or just leave each section with a deep sense of disbelief and confusion. The next section on “hedonism” is at least more appropriate for general philosophical reflection: “constant pleasure seeking may not yield the most actual pleasure or happiness” because “the constant pursuit of pleasure interferes with the experience of it.” “John Stuart Mill” explained it thus: “Those only are happy… who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness… Ask yourself whether you are happy, and you cease to be so.” This is a deep useful conclusion that should help those suffering with depression by just having them think about others and on achieving some kind of a goal outside of themselves.
This is basically a silly book that attempts rudimentary philosophy. If you are bored and would like to be entertained with curious ponderings on strange puzzles, you might enjoy this book. But anybody who enters this book with a serious interest in being amazed with new discoveries about the world will leave it with a deep sense of unhappiness.

I hate to give negative reviews, but the formatting of this ARC was the worst I have ever received. Random capitalization in the middle of words, strange line breaks, odd symbols interspersed… it got to the point where it made it difficult to actually read it. I also thought the approach was rather random in terms of selection.

This book in itself was a paradox. It was both confusing and interesting at the same time so I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. Some of the chapters were interesting and quirky and others were so deep into logic and math that even as an engineer I didn't want to read it.

"Perplexing Paradoxes" by George G. Szpiro is a fascinating journey into the world of logical conundrums and mathematical enigmas that have puzzled scholars, mathematicians, and the curious-minded for centuries. Szpiro masterfully presents a collection of paradoxes that challenge our understanding of concepts such as infinity, probability, and the very foundations of logic and mathematics.

What sets this book apart is Szpiro's ability to navigate complex ideas with a clarity and wit that make the subject matter accessible and engaging for readers of all backgrounds. Whether you are a seasoned mathematician or someone with a casual interest in puzzles and brain teasers, "Perplexing Paradoxes" offers a treasure trove of intriguing problems accompanied by explanations that enlighten and entertain.

Szpiro delves into famous paradoxes, such as Zeno's paradoxes of motion, which question the very possibility of movement, and Russell's Paradox, which challenges the foundations of set theory. He also explores lesser-known but equally captivating problems like the Banach-Tarski Paradox, which deals with the counterintuitive properties of infinite sets, and the Monty Hall Problem, a probability puzzle that has sparked widespread debate and confusion.

One of the strengths of "Perplexing Paradoxes" is Szpiro's approach to presenting each paradox in its historical and philosophical context. This not only enriches the reader's understanding of the puzzles themselves but also provides insight into the minds of the thinkers who first posed these questions and the impact these paradoxes have had on the development of mathematical and philosophical thought.

Moreover, Szpiro encourages active engagement with the material, often inviting readers to pause and ponder the paradoxes before revealing the solutions or the deeper implications behind them. This interactive approach fosters a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of mathematics and logic, making "Perplexing Paradoxes" not just a book to read but an experience to savor.

In addition to the clear explanations and engaging narrative, Szpiro's book is peppered with illustrations, anecdotes, and references to popular culture, which add a layer of fun and accessibility to the exploration of these profound and perplexing topics.

In conclusion, "Perplexing Paradoxes" by George G. Szpiro is a brilliantly curated collection that offers a delightful and stimulating journey through the world of mathematical and logical paradoxes. It is a testament to the author's passion for the subject and his skill in making the complex understandable and enjoyable. Whether you're looking to stretch your brain, gain new insights into the nature of mathematics, or simply enjoy the thrill of a good puzzle, "Perplexing Paradoxes" is an essential addition to your bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

This was an interesting book. Exactly what I expected from the title and just the right level. It would make a good gift or something for a friend.

"Perplexing Paradoxes" is a book I had to dip into from time to time. Why? The feature of this book, the formulaic approach to the paradox (presenting a paradox, deciding whether it is paradox and it's discussion) gave the whole presentation and discussion of different paradox great structure, but it got boring for me. I wasn't overwhelmed by the mathematics or the logic, but just like I wouldn't read a recipe book from cover to cover I couldn't read this book in one sitting.

That said, like a recipe book, this makes a good book to come back to from time to time to find out about paradox things that after you've read the explanation don't seem so paradox anymore.

Like wandering a maze—some paths lead to fascination, while others end in frustration...…..

Book Information

Perplexing Paradoxes: Unraveling Enigmas in the World Around Us by George G. Szpirois a 360-page nonfiction book scheduled to be published on March 19, 2024. Thank you to Columbia University Press for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review.

Summary

In "Perplexing Paradoxes," George G. Szpiro explores 60 paradoxes spanning mathematics, philosophy, and social sciences. The book provides historical contexts, dissects their complexities, and illustrates their relevance in daily life.

My Thoughts

"Perplexing Paradoxes" by George G. Szpirois looked to be a delightful exploration into the world of quirky contradictions and mind-bending paradoxes, which naturally piqued my interest. However, the book left me feeling somewhat underwhelmed compared to my initial expectations.

The author claims to present complex ideas in an accessible manner, but this accessibility feels inconsistent. While some parts maintain a conversational tone, others dive into dense mathematical or logical explanations that may alienate many readers.

Each chapter follows a similar structure, starting with the introduction of a paradox followed by a brief exclamation (things like “A paradox!” or “Correct? No!”) and then discussion. This formulaic approach makes it easy to navigate through the book, with chapters grouped thematically for added organization but becomes very repetitive.

The quality of the paradoxes themselves varies greatly. Some are genuinely thought-provoking, like the concept of 0.9999999 equaling 1 or why the nighttime sky should be bright but isn’t, while others failed to capture my interest.

"Perplexing Paradoxes" might appeal to those seeking a deep dive into mathematical or logical proofs behind paradoxes, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Had it not been for the commitment to review, I might not have finished it.

Recommendation

If you're passionate about paradoxes and enjoy digging into intricate mathematical or logical concepts, this book might be a good choice.

Rating

2 Perplexing Stars

Author Szpiro is the pedantic guy you love to hate.
He's a logic of freak.
Some of the paradoxes are remarkable; others are dull.
He sometimes gets mathematical and technical, which may make your eyes roll and flip the page.

Luckily, each paradox he examines is short, so if you're bored, jump to the next one.

3 things I remember learning:

1) Heteronyms: words that have the same spelling but different meanings when they are pronounced differently.

2) The sky is dark at night because the light of many stars has not yet reached us and an infinite number of stars are traveling away from the earth, and their light has shifted to the invisible.

3) In the Northern Hemisphere, the banks on the right sides of rivers tend to be steeper than the left sides. In the Southern Hemisphere, it's reversed. Cool!

Conclusion: it's an interesting book, but it could have been better.

It was hard to give a star rating based on overall tone and content as the chapters varied so widely so to get an overall rating, I rated each chapter on a scale of 1 to 5 and calculated a weighted average giving an overall rating of 3 stars. 16 of the stories were 5-star and 13 were 1-star. The best stories were those that I thought were important and when the content was largely qualitative. These were chapters on faith, legal liabilities, and economics. I found the sections on endings, math, and logic to be uninteresting and many of which I did not read to the end. Thank you to Netgalley and Columbia University Press for the advance reader copy.

Well-researched and presented. A great candidate for occasional reference book to help those struggling with perception bias. Not a sit-down-and-read book, but one to consult when the need arises.

A surprisingly zippy exploration of the mind- and reason-bending puzzles that lurk just beneath the surface of "rational" reality. Plumbing the depths of language, logic, economics, and more, Szpiro somehow manages to keep everything engaging and even light while exterminating any notion that we will ever figure it all out. Each paradox is given a brief synopsis followed by the "denouement" in which either the resolution, or at least an elucidation, of the paradox is presented, making for a book made to nibble from and digest easily despite the subject.

PERPLEXING PARADOXES reminds us that paradoxes are not "simply frustrating obstacles to be overcome but rather opportunities to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the complexities of the world." Maddening as they may be at times, paradoxes "remind us that the world is not always as simple as we may think and that there is always more to explore and understand." They remind us of our limits, but also how much we have to look forward to.

This book was really interesting, so original! I enjoyed reading this :) I love books like this a lot!

I enjoyed this book. I appreciate the short and succinct chapters as I was able to learn a lot in a short amount of time. Szpiro showcases each paradox in a thought-provoking way without boring the reader with verbosity. The pictures and figures also added enjoyment in reading, without detracting from the main point and succinctness of this book. I would gladly read a sequel to this book that explores even more "Perplexing Paradoxes".

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The book is a collection of short to very short entries on a large number of paradoxes culled from the internet. Are they as perplexing as the title suggests? A few are, but many are not once you examine them. The author tells us the book was written during the COVID lockdown and frankly, it shows. There is repetition and paradox for the sake of paradox, but the it's an engaging read nonetheless. I went back and forth on it as I read, but at one point I realized I often found myself shouting at the book (in my head), and that kind of engagement doesn't come along often. That puts it above the average read, though not quite perfect, so 4 ouf ot 5.

If you enjoy thinking about paradoxes and would like a collection of them, this is a good place to go. All the usual ones are here, some treated in more depth than others, and despite some shortcomings, I think the book does what is set out to do.

Perplexing Paradoxes by George G. Szpiro

Fun read at first glimpse, informative and philosophical read when you keep drilling!

Among all these 60 chapters, it included lots of paradoxes. From daily life, science, language to mathematics. At the beginning, the author quoted the definition of paradoxes by an American Philosopher Willard Van Orman Quine, “Just any conclusion that at first sounds absurd but that had an argument to sustain it.”

The daily life example was: it took forever to take the elevator. When you wanted to go up, the elevator always went down. I enjoyed reading the author providing the scientific support behind. (And also his photo for waiting the elevator!!)

Something paradoxes that we came across, but we might never pay attention. This is a great book that you will keep your head down in deep thinking, saying “oh yes, I have never thought about that before.”

It’s not an easy read, but absolutely an informative and give you some extra topic to talk to your friends!

Whilst it wasn't as thought-provoking as I had been expecting, it was overall a good rundown of some common paradoxes that probably most of us have stumbled on from time to time, ranging from philosophical to mathematical to religious and political, so it covers a nice variety of topics as well. My favourites were the linguistics and grammar paradoxes (very intriguing and some I hadn't known previously), and my least favourite the religious ones (the theology here isn't that good).

I also appreciated the snippets of humour and the conversational tone, so overall it was a fun read for when you'd like some food for thought.

This book discusses a lot of paradoxes in a fun way. They cover area such as math, logic, philosophy, science and many other area. It's easy and fun to read. It's not pedantic and the explanation/discussion is easy to understand. A very interesting and entertaining book to read.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.