The Know-it-all: One Man's Humble Quest To Become The Smartest Person In The World - Hardcover

Jacobs, A. J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0743250605 ISBN 13: 9780743250603

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2004

Synopsis

Chronicles the efforts of an NPR contributor to read the Encyclopedia Britannica from A to Z, sharing the humorous and unexpected mishaps that occurred as a result of the endeavor, from changed dynamics in his family relationships to his efforts to join Mensa and win a spot on Jeopardy! By the author of Fractured Fairy Tales. 100,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

Jonathan Safran Foer author of "Everything Is Illuminated""The Know-It-All" is funny, original, and strangely heroic. I found myself rooting on Jacobs's quixotic, totally endearing quest.

P.J. O'Rourke author of "Peace Kills""The Know-It-All" is a terrific book. It's a lot shorter than the encyclopedia, and funnier, and you'll remember more of it. Plus, if it falls off the shelf onto your head, you'll live.

Mary Roach author of "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" I fell in love with this book on page one and I have laughed out loud on every page since. With his hilarious "Britannica"-fed insights on life, A.J. Jacobs uncovers the profound by way of the trivial. "The Know-It-All" is endlessly entertaining. Genius, pure.

"Kirkus Reviews" (starred) Enormous fun...[a] comic triumph.

"Publishers Weekly" Jacobs' ability to juxtapose his quirky, sardonic wit with oddball trivia makes this one of the season's most unusual books.

"Time Out New York" Sidesplitting.

Jon Stewart Host of "The Daily Show""The Know-It-All" is a hilarious book and quite an impressive achievement. I've always said, why doesn't someone put out a less complete version of the encyclopedia? Well done, A.J.

""The Know-It-All" is a hilarious book and quite an impressive achievement. I've always said, why doesn't someone put out a less complete version of the encyclopedia? Well done, A.J." Jon Stewart, host of "The Daily Show" "

""The Know-It-All" is funny, original, and strangely heroic. I found myself rooting on Jacobs's quixotic, totally endearing quest." Jonathan Safran Foer, author of "Everything Is Illuminated""

"The Know-It-All is a hilarious book and quite an impressive achievement. I've always said, why doesn't someone put out a less complete version of the encyclopedia? Well done, A.J." --Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show

From the Publisher:

A. J. Jacobs tells the story of his bizarre, hilarious and seemingly impossible quest to read the Encyclopaedia Britannica from A to Z.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0743250605
• ISBN 13: 9780743250603
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 386