Book · 2013 · Mycenaean Civilization
The Riddle of the Labyrinth
Why people recommend it
The Riddle of the Labyrinth is a fascinating work of nonfiction by Margalit Fox that explores the thrilling historical quest to decipher an ancient and mysterious script from the world before classical Greece. On the podcast Conversations with Tyler, host Tyler Cowen brought up Margalit Fox's book to praise it highly, telling the author that it is a wonderful study focusing on cracking an ancient code and exploring the world before ancient Greece. Cowen and Fox engaged in a deep discussion about life, death, and the intricacies of historical journalism. Additionally, on The Book Review podcast episode titled True Crime Starring the Creator of Sherlock Holmes, author Margalit Fox herself discussed the publication of the book. She reflected on the timeline of her career, explaining that back in 2013 when her previous book, The Riddle of the Labyrinth, finally came out, she was actively casting about for her next creative project. She noted how she eventually gravitated toward the Oscar Slater story, which was still lingering in that corner of what Sherlock Holmes famously calls the brain attic. Both discussions highlighted the author's meticulous historical research, her engaging narrative style, and the captivating nature of linguistic puzzles and historical mysteries.
Who recommended it
- Margalit Fox Discussed
- Tyler Cowen Discussed
Margalit Fox — 1 mention
“and then in 2013 when my previous book the riddle of the labyrinth came out and I was casting about for something to do there was the Oscar Slater story still in that corner of what Holmes calls the brain attic”
Tyler Cowen — 1 mention
“you have a wonderful book called the riddle of the labyrinth the quest to crack an ancient code where you study the world before ancient Greece fantastic book”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
- Candy
- Conan Doyle for the Defense
- Essential Judaism
- Give Me Your Hand
- Morning, noon, and night
- Talking Hands
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“and here too unpacking a sign language that's never been analyzed in riddle of the labyrinth unraveling this Indian script that was unearthed on clay tablets in 1900 not solved for 50 years”