The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble...
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Part memoir and part education (or lack thereof), The Know-It-All chronicles NPR contributor A.J. Jacobs's hilarious, enlightening, and seemingly impossible quest to read the Ency…
Book Summary
The Know-It-All is A.J. Jacobs's hilarious memoir of reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica from A to Z. It's a witty, self-deprecating account of how this absurd quest affects his marriage, career, and impending fatherhood. Part education, part comedy, it's a celebration of curiosity and the limits of factual knowledge.
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About The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble...
In The Know-It-All, A.J. Jacobs, an editor at Esquire, sets out to read all 32 volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica—33,000 pages and 44 million words—to fill the gaps in his Ivy League education. His wife doubts him, his friends think he's crazy, and his father, who once attempted the same feat, is skeptical. As Jacobs plows through entries from A to Z, he shares strange and funny facts while chronicling the comically disruptive effects on his life: his new marriage, his relationship with his eccentric family, his day job, and his terror over his first child's impending birth. He also tries to join Mensa and win a spot on Jeopardy! The result is a clever, entertaining memoir about intelligence, obsession, and the wisdom that comes from hard-won experience.
Who should read The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble...?
This book is perfect for trivia lovers, fans of humorous memoirs, and anyone who enjoys stories of quixotic quests. Readers who appreciate self-deprecating wit and candid reflections on family, marriage, and impending parenthood will find it charming. It also appeals to those interested in the nature of intelligence and the value of general knowledge, as well as anyone who has ever dreamed of learning everything.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Hilarious and self-deprecating humor that keeps the pages turning
- ✓ Fascinating trivia from the Encyclopedia Britannica woven throughout
- ✓ Honest and touching exploration of marriage and impending fatherhood
- ✓ Inspiring message about curiosity and lifelong learning
- ✓ Unique premise that stands out in the memoir genre
Cons
- ✗ Some readers may find the endless trivia overwhelming
- ✗ The structure can feel repetitive after a while
- ✗ Not a comprehensive guide to the encyclopedia's content
- ✗ Jacobs's neuroses may wear on some readers
- ✗ The pacing slows in certain sections
Similar books
The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible
Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun
Frequently asked questions
Is The Know-It-All a novel or a memoir?
It is a memoir. A.J. Jacobs recounts his real-life quest to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica.
Do I need to be familiar with the Encyclopedia Britannica to enjoy this book?
Not at all. The book is more about Jacobs's personal journey and the humorous situations he encounters than about the encyclopedia itself.
Does the book include actual facts from the encyclopedia?
Yes, Jacobs shares many strange and interesting facts he learns along the way, but they are woven into the narrative rather than presented as a reference.
Is this book suitable for young readers?
It is written for adults and contains some mature themes and language, so it is best suited for older teens and adults.
What is the main takeaway of The Know-It-All?
The book suggests that while factual knowledge is valuable, wisdom and human connections are ultimately more important.
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