Proof that passionate writing overwhelms mundane subject matter. AJ Jacobs read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica and writes a book about it.. Naturally, his book begins with A-ak and ends with Zywiec. The interstices are largely filled with esoterica (both short and long), but my what fascinating trivia there is. His writing is compelling, the selection of topics unfailingly topical, one-liners had me laughing aloud, frequently, and there is enough plot surrounding what happens to AJ’s friends and family while he disappears on an apparently fruitless journey that in sum I kept turning the pages to see what was next. I can’t ask for anything more of any book. July 2008