Scan barcode
A review by cafo6
The Answer Is. . . Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek
5.0
I chose the audible version of this book because it seemed so fitting to have Alex's voice in my ear, telling of his life and about the show I've loved so long. Then I realized that he didn't narrate the entire thing, but he did the intro and some of the chapters. He had Ken Jennings read the majority of the book. This...was surprisingly ok. Ken Jennings is so closely associated with Jeopardy, and they so obviously have become friends, that it seemed like an absolutely perfect choice.
This isn't a full autobiography, as Alex explains in the intro. It's a series of snippets, stories, details, and yes trivia, about his life and about the show. He mentions names we recognize (from the show and elsewhere), and we learn about his family and his upbringing.
I've always liked Alex Trebek. I grew up watching the show - first, with my stepdad, who was a police officer and thus absolutely loved Frank Spangenberg (the police officer in the early years who did so well). Then with my mother, who was so proud of herself any time she would get the Final Jeopardy! question - especially if she got it and the contestants did not. She would ask us not to call during the show, and in fact refused to answer the phone if it rang while she was watching. Much as Alex says of other fans, Jeopardy is a part of my life and my history. When my mother died, there was tremendous comfort in the show because it was something we had shared.
There may be some surprises, even for ardent fans, as there were for me. And some opinions readers may or may not share with Alex. Some of the stories are much like his brief chats with contestants - tiny little blurbs of his life. Trivia, you might say. But there are touching parts, and sweet parts, and humor and love and deep respect throughout. There was frank discussion of life and death, even as Alex Trebek faces his own - he's very open about that, and vulnerable in a way few people dare to be.
100% worth the read. Godspeed, Alex - and thank you for sharing your answers.
This isn't a full autobiography, as Alex explains in the intro. It's a series of snippets, stories, details, and yes trivia, about his life and about the show. He mentions names we recognize (from the show and elsewhere), and we learn about his family and his upbringing.
I've always liked Alex Trebek. I grew up watching the show - first, with my stepdad, who was a police officer and thus absolutely loved Frank Spangenberg (the police officer in the early years who did so well). Then with my mother, who was so proud of herself any time she would get the Final Jeopardy! question - especially if she got it and the contestants did not. She would ask us not to call during the show, and in fact refused to answer the phone if it rang while she was watching. Much as Alex says of other fans, Jeopardy is a part of my life and my history. When my mother died, there was tremendous comfort in the show because it was something we had shared.
There may be some surprises, even for ardent fans, as there were for me. And some opinions readers may or may not share with Alex. Some of the stories are much like his brief chats with contestants - tiny little blurbs of his life. Trivia, you might say. But there are touching parts, and sweet parts, and humor and love and deep respect throughout. There was frank discussion of life and death, even as Alex Trebek faces his own - he's very open about that, and vulnerable in a way few people dare to be.
100% worth the read. Godspeed, Alex - and thank you for sharing your answers.