The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World
SKU: 80212324527

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

Sale price$15.30 Regular price$17.00
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 6 - Jul 11

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the WorldPart memoir and part education (or lack thereof), The Know It All chronicles NPR contributor A. J. Jacobs's hilarious, enlightening, and seemingly impossible quest to read the Encyclopaedia Britannica from A to Z. 33,000 PAGES 44 MILLION WORDS 10 BILLION YEARS OF HISTORY 1 OBSESSED MAN To fill the ever widening gaps in his Ivy League education, A. J. Jacobs sets for himself the daunting task of reading all thirty two volumes of the Encyclopaedia

Part memoir and part education (or lack thereof), The Know-It-All chronicles NPR contributor A.J. Jacobs's hilarious, enlightening, and seemingly impossible quest to read the Encyclopaedia Britannica from A to Z.

33,000 PAGES
44 MILLION WORDS
10 BILLION YEARS OF HISTORY
1 OBSESSED MAN

To fill the ever-widening gaps in his Ivy League education, A.J. Jacobs sets for himself the daunting task of reading all thirty-two volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. His wife, Julie, tells him it's a waste of time, his friends believe he is losing his mind, and his father, a brilliant attorney who had once attempted the same feat and quit somewhere around Borneo, is encouraging but unconvinced.

With self-deprecating wit and a disarming frankness, The Know-It-All recounts the unexpected and comically disruptive effects Operation Encyclopedia has on every part of Jacobs's life -- from his newly minted marriage to his complicated relationship with his father and the rest of his charmingly eccentric New York family to his day job as an editor at Esquire. Jacobs's project tests the outer limits of his stamina and forces him to explore the real meaning of intelligence as he endeavors to join Mensa, win a spot on Jeopardy , and absorb 33,000 pages of learning. On his journey he stumbles upon some of the strangest, funniest, and most profound facts about every topic under the sun, all while battling fatigue, ridicule, and the paralyzing fear that attends his first real-life responsibility -- the impending birth of his first child.

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

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 10/10/2005
ISBN: 9780743250627
Pages: 389
Weight: 0.77lbs
Size: 8.48h x 5.52w x 0.98d
Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 87305 / Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World
Reading Level: 6.8 / Interest Level: Upper Grade / Point Value: 24
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 80212324527

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.6 ★★★★★
Based on 1879 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
J
Verified Purchase
Jarrod Schaffer
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Classic for a Reason — Thick, Reliable, and Actually Works
Size: 8.4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
There’s a reason the German formula of NIVEA Creme has a cult following, and after using it consistently, I understand why. The appearance alone tells you this isn’t some watered-down, trendy moisturizer trying to be cute. It’s thick, dense, almost old-school in the best way — that clean white cream in the iconic blue tin feels intentional and substantial. The scent is subtle, clean, and nostalgic without being overpowering. It smells like “taken care of,” not perfume. If you’re sensitive to heavy fragrance, this strikes a solid balance. Now let’s talk performance. This is not a lightweight lotion — and that’s the point. It goes on thick, and you can feel the protective barrier immediately. It’s especially excellent for hands, elbows, knees, and dry winter skin. I use it at night on my face and hands, and by morning my skin feels calm, restored, and noticeably smoother. It’s the kind of moisture that actually lasts instead of disappearing in 20 minutes. Absorbency depends on how much you use. A little goes a long way. If you apply it generously, it will sit on the skin for a bit — but in a way that feels protective, not greasy. If you warm it up in your hands first and apply moderately, it absorbs beautifully and leaves a soft, healthy finish. For the price, the value is honestly impressive. One tin lasts forever because you need so little. This isn’t a “reapply every hour” product. It’s reliable, consistent, and does exactly what it promises. If you want something ultra-lightweight, this isn’t that. But if you want serious hydration, skin protection, and a product that’s stood the test of time for a reason — this delivers.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Suzie
Whiting, US
★★★★★ 5
So good
Size: 8.4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
I am a Nivea loyalist. I love this crème for the winter when the air is super dry, it’s so hydrating for dry skin. I love that it’s the German formal, which makes it better. The tin is huge, you get so much for the price, it lasts so long. It’s so rich and thick and goes on so nice. It doesn’t have a strong smell, more like a clean scent. Also, it goes on thick, you don’t need a whole lot,nor it takes forever to rub in. I warm it in my hands first, just a finger tip amount, rub in my hands and then press it into my face, and then it just rubs in, no white cast. Leaves the loveliest glow. It’s not vegan, if you want a vegan formula, try the Nivea Soft, which I use too, in the summer, when I don’t need a thick formula. It doesn’t cause me to break out, again don’t use too much. I love that you can use it for face, hands and body. It literally is just for moisture. Nothing fancy. The tin is recyclable. I take it everywhere. I keep a little tin in my car, my purse, my overnight bag. My face feels soft and supple even hours after using it. It’s just so lovely.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026
C
Verified Purchase
Catalina Henao
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Nivea Moisturizing Cream
Size: 8.4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
I loved the Nivea cream; it works really well to hydrate my skin and leave it soft—and best of all, it's fragrance-free.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
C
Verified Purchase
cashmereanscombatboots
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Feb 2026 order German made
Size: 8.4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Purchased in Feb 2026 and I can confirm the product I purchased is legit from Germany. It's a little tricky to sort through and find the German made ones and I'm unsure if other countries have the same ingredients, I know the US ones are made in Mexico and the ingredients are NOT the same and yes it makes a huge difference. This is thick, the smell isn't overpowering at all and it sinks right in. Great for dry winter skin and keeping hands and other body parts super soft. I slather this on my face before bed every night and my skin is glowing. I have used la mer (and everything in between) and I think this blows it away. Phenomenal product. Excellent price. Love it. Highly recommend.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2026
K
Verified Purchase
Kris
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
A heavy duty skin softening cream.
Size: 8.4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
This cream works great on my hands and foot calluses. It has a pleasant smell and I am glad I purchased it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026

recommand products