Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World

The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World
sarradee avatar reviewed on + 47 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


The author of this book decided to read the Encyclopedia Brittanica from A-Z as if it were an ordinary novel or non-fiction work. 32 volumes and some 44 million words later he discovers that while he hasn't become the smartest human in the world, he has learned a whole bunch of interesting facts and come to the conclusion that the human race isn't doomed after all.

One reviewer on Amazon commented that there was too much personal information lurking in the pages of this memoir. I found that an interesting commentary, as isn't that the definition of a memoir - one's musings on self? My thought was that perhaps this reviewer should read the encyclopedia themselves if all they want is the just the facts.

An interesting and likeable read. One where you just might learn something along the journey.