This round-up from DC Theater Arts gives a shout-out to Matching Minds. 

Few people are aware of the fact that before the legendary Stephen Sondheim became an award-winning musical theater composer and lyricist, he was a creator and designer of puzzles, games, and treasure hunts, which continued to occupy him over 80 years. The new book by gaming expert Barry Joseph, with forewords by former Games magazine editor Will Shortz and producer, performer, and author Ted Chapin, takes a look at this largely unknown aspect of Sondheim’s career through archival research, interviews with his celebrated friends and colleagues from the theater community, analyses by other puzzle professionals from around the world, and an exploration of what he self-described as his “puzzler’s mind,” to help fans understand the man, his work, and his desire to deliver “moments of clarity and connection.”

In addition to the playful and illuminating text, with each chapter beginning with a “Cast of Characters” referenced in his ludological biography, the tome is filled with illustrations of rare designs never before seen by the public, which challenge readers to match minds with the great master by attempting to solve his cryptic puzzles and bring his parlor games into their own homes, with detailed instructions on how to do it in authentic Sondheimian style.