A hilarious and revealing look into A.J. Jacob's life and attempt to become the smartest person in the world. In his journey through the encyclopedia from A-Z, he weaves a touching, self-deprecating, and enjoyable story of his family, friends, acquaintances, and coworkers during his quest for knowledge. Alongside his tale, he weaves a continual questioning of the nature of knowledge, and the attainment thereof. A fantastic sense of humor and an overarching theme are the glue that turns these small, reading-friendly sections into a captivating, entertaining book as a whole. It's a great noncommittal read - you can read a few sections on the bus to work - but comes together into a touching and thought-provoking narrative.