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The Know-It-All
400 pages, 2005
To fill the ever-widening gaps in his Ivy League education, A.J. Jacobs sets for himself the daunting task of reading all thirty-two volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
His wife, Julie, tells him it's a waste of time, his friends believe he is losing his mind, and his father, a brilliant attorney who had once attempted the same feat and quit somewhere around Borneo, is encouraging but unconvinced.
With self-deprecating wit and disarming frankness, The Know-It-All recounts the unexpected and comically disruptive effects Operation Encyclopedia has on every part of Jacobs's life -- from his newly minted marriage to his complicated relationship with his father and the rest of his charmingly eccentric New York family to his day job as an editor at Esquire.
Jacobs's project tests the outer limits of his stamina and forces him to explore the real meaning of intelligence as he endeavors to join Mensa, win a spot on Jeopardy!, and absorb 33,000 pages of learning.
On his journey, he stumbles upon some of the strangest, funniest, and most profound facts about every topic under the sun, all while battling fatigue, ridicule, and the paralyzing fear that attends his first real-life responsibility -- the impending birth of his first child.
The Know-It-All is an ingenious, mightily entertaining memoir of one man's intellect, neuroses, and obsessions and a struggle between the all-consuming quest for factual knowledge and the undeniable gift of hard-won wisdom.
In The Know-It-All, A.J. Jacobs takes us on his journey of reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. He shows us that learning is not just about the destination, but also about the journey. It's about the joy of discovery and the thrill of understanding new things.
Jacobs uses humor throughout his book to make the process of learning more enjoyable. He proves that learning doesn't have to be boring or tedious. So, next time you're studying or learning something new, try to find the humor in it.
One of the key takeaways from The Know-It-All is that knowledge can greatly improve your conversations. Jacobs found that the more he learned, the more interesting his conversations became. So, if you want to be a better conversationalist, start learning more!
Reading the entire Encyclopedia Britannica was no easy task. Jacobs often felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information. But in the end, he found the experience to be incredibly rewarding. So, don't be afraid to take on big learning challenges. They might be tough, but they're worth it.
As he learned more about the world, Jacobs found himself becoming more empathetic. He started to understand different cultures, histories, and perspectives better. This shows that learning can make us more understanding and empathetic people.
Quotes 3
A.J. Jacobs' 'The Know-It-All' is a hilarious and insightful exploration of knowledge. It's a must-read for anyone who loves learning.
Bill Gates - Microsoft Co-founderJacobs' journey through the encyclopedia is as funny as it is enlightening. 'The Know-It-All' is a fascinating read.
Jon Stewart - Comedian, TV HostA.J. Jacobs' 'The Know-It-All' is a testament to the joys of curiosity and learning. It's a book that celebrates knowledge in all its forms.
Malcolm Gladwell - Author, Journalist