"What's this? Another book on Rubik's cube? Yes, but for ardent cubemeisters and all those who are interested in
the mathematics of the cube, it was very much worth doing. It is a splendid book, clearly written, enlivened by
delightful cartoons, and containing a wealth of information not to be found in any other book."
- MARTIN GARDNER

From the preface:

On January 30, 1975 Ern6 Rubik j r. , professor of architecture and design in Budapest, was granted the Hungarian patent number 170062 for a "terbeli logikai jatek"-a game of spatial logic. Between 1978 and
March 1981 this object-Blivos Kocka in Hungary, der Magische Wurfel or Zauberwlirfel in Germany, Ie Cube Hongrois in France and the Magic Cube or Rubik' s Cube in Great Britain and the USA- has sold more than
ten million copies. And they were not merely sold! A highly contagious "twist mania" has been spreading throughQut families, offices and waiting rooms. Many classrooms sound as if an army of mice were hard
at work behind the desks.
What is so fascinating about this cube, which competes with Hungarian salami and the famous Tokajer wine in the currency-winning export market? For one thing, it is an amazing technical tool. How does it work?
Moreover, the contrast between its innocent, innocuous appearance and the hidden difficulty of its solution offers a serious challenge to all puzzle fans, but especially to those mathematicians who are professionally
concerned with logical deduction.
But whatever the appearance- have no fear! To enjoy playing with the cube and to study this book requires no previous mathematical knowledge. Admittedly, an attempt is made in chapter two to develop the "mathematics of the cube" with uncompromising severity, as only unadulterated mathematics is understandable mathematics. However, everything is explained from basics. Besides, the reader who still feels overwhelmed can skim over this chapter without risking serious consequences. And there may even be a chance that-faced with such an
unusually aesthetic object- one or two readers who so far regarded this field with trepidation or hostility will suddenly discover the "discreet charms of mathematics."