Reviews
Brittanica & ich: Von einem, der auszog, der klügste Mensch der Welt zu werden by A.J. Jacobs
jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
4.0
A thoroughly enjoyable book, and probably my favorite by A.J. Jacobs. I love how his large quests for knowledge always entail smaller side projects that are equally as interesting and enhance and deepen his projects. I liked how some of his entries were brief and to the point, with a few facts followed by a witty observation or joke, and some were lengthy, relating directly back to his own life, however loosely. It was interesting to see how Jacobs' relationships with his brother-in-law Eric and his father evolved while he was immersed in this project, and I appreciated his candid and humorous comments about speed reading and memory improvement classes that turned out to be scams. His experiences spending time with Mensa members, chatting with Alex Trebek and attempting to get on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire were definite highlights. I'm not sure how relevant a quest to read an entire set of encyclopedias is today, given how much we now rely on the internet for instant information, but it sure was entertaining to read about.
stacyjenson's review against another edition
4.0
Really funny. I liked the conceit of structuring the book by letter and word entry, which lends well to the interrupted reading a working person does while commuting, eating lunch, waiting at a doc's office, etc.
evamadera1's review against another edition
3.0
See "recent reads review" on youtube channel (linked in bio)
lanica's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this book, and I walked away with a few favorite quotes that I wouldn't have found otherwise. For example, Jeremy Bentham's quote about animal rights, "The question is not, can they reason, nor can they talk, but can they suffer?" I'm not a vegetarian, nor an animal rights activist, so there's no surprise that I hadn't heard that quote before. Yet I walk away from this book glad that I read it and feeling that I actually learned some things from it.
A. J. Jacobs doesn't take himself too seriously and he does have a grasp on how to write in a way that todays culture will understand. He breaks the book up into letters and entries, like the Encyclopaedia Britannica itself. He tells readers about himself in entries that apply to his life or those that remind him of events in his past. It's interesting to see how the project consumed his life, leaking into everyday conversations and into his work. I have to say that I'm really impressed by his wife. She's a saint!
A. J. Jacobs doesn't take himself too seriously and he does have a grasp on how to write in a way that todays culture will understand. He breaks the book up into letters and entries, like the Encyclopaedia Britannica itself. He tells readers about himself in entries that apply to his life or those that remind him of events in his past. It's interesting to see how the project consumed his life, leaking into everyday conversations and into his work. I have to say that I'm really impressed by his wife. She's a saint!
bibliotequeish's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book many years ago, I believe I purchased and read it within the year of its release.
So about 15 years from today.
And to this day, I know that the Abalone is a type of snail with 5 butt holes.
I am not sure if that information is the intended sticking point... but that's what stuck, and I weave it into my conversations as often as I can.
So about 15 years from today.
And to this day, I know that the Abalone is a type of snail with 5 butt holes.
I am not sure if that information is the intended sticking point... but that's what stuck, and I weave it into my conversations as often as I can.
nicolemhill's review against another edition
4.0
At the end of his quest, A.J. tries to sum up his journey in one sentence. I think it's appropriate for me to do the same. So here it is:
If I could marry this book, I would.
If I could marry this book, I would.
morgs777's review against another edition
3.0
Jacobs’ My Year of Living Biblically was one of my favorites last year. I agree with other reviewers that he comes off as your run of the mill, east coast, smug 2000s man, lol.
But I overall enjoyed! My favorite part was my library copy was filled with edits by a person who HATES this man. Proofread errors and her opinions on how he sucks. I might commit the #1 library crime and keep this book, it’s just so funny.
She even pasted a little note under his bio that says “he is self-centered and somewhat sexist. This whole book could have been so much better if written by Barbara Kingsolver or Bill Bryson.”
And you know what I love about readers? How absolute batshit we are. We hate a series, but we will rage read our way through. Not only did this person rage read their way through this book, they edited it too! Wow. If you’re reading this now, dear editor, I would like to have one (1) gin martini with you then possibly Irish goodbye because you both very much tickle my pickle and also terrify me.
But I overall enjoyed! My favorite part was my library copy was filled with edits by a person who HATES this man. Proofread errors and her opinions on how he sucks. I might commit the #1 library crime and keep this book, it’s just so funny.
She even pasted a little note under his bio that says “he is self-centered and somewhat sexist. This whole book could have been so much better if written by Barbara Kingsolver or Bill Bryson.”
And you know what I love about readers? How absolute batshit we are. We hate a series, but we will rage read our way through. Not only did this person rage read their way through this book, they edited it too! Wow. If you’re reading this now, dear editor, I would like to have one (1) gin martini with you then possibly Irish goodbye because you both very much tickle my pickle and also terrify me.