The Know-It-All

One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World

By: A. J. Jacobs

Narrated by: Geoffrey Cantor

Early in his career, A.J. Jacobs put his Ivy League education to work at Entertainment Weekly. He emerged five years later knowing which stars have fake boobs, which stars have toupees, which have both, and not much else. This realization led Jacobs on a life-changing quest: to read the entire contents of the Encyclopaedia Britannica, all 33,000 pages, all 44 million words.

The mission began in October 2002, with the word "a-ak". The word launches hilarious misadventures through 32 volumes, as Jacobs accumulates useful and less-so knowledge, and along the way finds a deep connection with his father, examines the nature of knowledge vs. intelligence, and learns how to be rather annoying at cocktail parties.

The Know-It-All is an ingenious, mightily entertaining memoir of one man's intellect, neuroses, and obsessions, and a soul-searching, ultimately touching struggle between the obsessive quest for factual knowledge and the undeniable gift of hard-won wisdom.

©2004 A.J. Jacobs (P)2004 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"One of the book's strongest parts is its laugh-out-loud humor." (Publishers Weekly)
"Sidesplitting." (Time Out New York)

A really fun listen

We bought this book to listen to on our move across the country, and at first I wasn't interested, but as the story progressed I began to really enjoy it. The personal notes that were included we a very pleasant touch to the book. I thought it was going to be about the encyclopedia more, but turned out to be pleasantly surprised. I found myself sympathizing with the author's duel quests in the book and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Puffy and pretentious in almost all aspects - typical Jacobs

Little by little I began to not appreciate Jacobs - by the end he seemed weak and “ schmarmy “ I do not know if I’ll give his writing a second chance!

Enjoyable through all the letters

Loved following Jacobs and his neuroses on his long journey from A to Z. As enjoyable as other NPR alums like David Sedaris and Jonathan Goldstein. Cantor did an engaging reading. If only Audible would offer an encyclopedia...

A must read(listen) for any aspiring know it all

This book is great for random trivia, though it's autobiographical look at a year in Jacob's life through the lens of the Encyclopedia Britannica is the true journey.

this is my favorite book

I've loved this book ever since I randomly found it in the library. Aj Jacobs is my favorite author