John Hodgman-bestselling author, The Daily Show's "Resident Expert", minor television celebrity, and deranged millionaire-brings us the third and final installment in his trilogy of Complete World Knowledge.
In 2005, Dutton published The Areas of My Expertise, a handy little book of Complete World Knowledge, marked by the distinction that all of the fascinating trivia and amazing true facts were completely made up by its author, John Hodgman. At the time, Hodgman was merely a former literary agent and occasional scribbler of fake trivia. In short: a nobody.
But during an interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, an incredible transformation occurred. He became a famous minor television personality. You may ask: During his whirlwind tornado ride through the high ether of minor fame and outrageous fortune, did John Hodgman forget how to write books of fake trivia? The answer is: Yes. Briefly. But soon, he remembered!
And so he returned, crashing his Kansas farmhouse down upon the wicked witch of ignorance with More Information Than You Require, a New York Times bestseller containing even more mesmerizing and essential fake trivia, including seven hundred mole-man names (and their occupations).
And now, John Hodgman completes his vision with That Is All, the last book in a trilogy of Complete World Knowledge. Like its predecessors, That Is All compiles incredibly handy made-up facts into brief articles, overlong lists, and beguiling narratives on new and familiar themes. It picks up exactly where More Information left off-specifically, at page 596-and finally completes COMPLETE WORLD KNOWLEDGE, just in time for the return of Quetzalcoatl and the end of human history in 2012. 16 Hours, Read by Dick Cavett, Patton Oswalt, Jon Hamm, Paul Rudd, Sarah Vowell, Brooke Shields, Scott Adsit, Robin Goldwasser, Jonathan Coulton, John Roderick, Rachel Maddow, Wyatt Cenac, Stephen Fry, Paul F. Tompkins, Prominent Ragnarok Denier Dr. Elliott Kalan. Music by Jonathan Coulton, John Roderick, John Flansburgh, John Darnielle, Cynthia Hopkins
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"I don't know what to say about this book. At this point, presumably, you are either in the Hodgman camp or not and I very much am. I don't think I can objectively evaluate it by itself because John Hodgman has had such a huge influence on my sense of humor over the last five years and I can't talk about him or his work without devolving into a squeeing fangirl."
— Dani (5 out of 5 stars)
“Like all of Hodgman’s work, [That is All] is fantastically dense, bitingly witty, and gut-bustingly funny.”
— Entertainment Weekly“Entertaining.”
— New York Journal of Books“Dizzying information guaranteed to win you passing fame at parties.”
— Barnes & Noble editorial review“The narration features Hodgman and numerous guests, including Rachel Maddow and Paul Rudd. When Hodgman interacts with his fellow narrators, their banter has an improvised feel to it. The humor is dry, in Hodgman’s deadpan style, and the facts are nonsensical and not in any discernible order. Sound effects are featured throughout. Hodgman fans who have read the first two books in the series will appreciate the brand of humor in this audiobook.”
— AudioFile“Just the sort of book to keep by your bed—a bundle of knowing laughs.”
— Kirkus Reviews" The third volume of Hodgman's hilarious series of books of "Complete World Knowledge". The running joke of "Today in Ragnarok" on each page counting down the end of the world (per the Mayan calendar) had some particularly choice bits of humor. Highly recommended for fans of irreverent and surreal wordplay. "
— Kurt, 2/14/2014" I was sadly disappointed by this one. There were still some funny bits, but it was much more rambling in between them. And it felt mean-spirited and crass too often. It's not going to dissuade me from liking Hodgman in general, but save your time and re-read The Areas of My Expertise instead. "
— Karen, 2/9/2014" One of two apocalyptic books I read this year. John Hodgman is clever and imaginative as always. The list of 700 elder gods and the page-a-day saga of the End of the World alone make this one worth reading. I can't get enough of the dogstorm. This is an excellent end to the series; the humor is more outlandish and mad-raving-tastic than the first two. "
— Tim, 2/6/2014" Fun in increments but a little too long to stay funny... "
— Craig, 1/29/2014" I have a lingering suspicion that most of the information in this book was fake. I guess I'll learn this the hard way in a month. "
— Jakub, 1/29/2014" John Hodgman is one of few people who seem able to make me laugh out loud consistently and genuinely. As much as I like his rambling absurdity (and there is plenty of that here), I actually think he's at his best when telling anecdotes. To that end, I think this is a step up from the last book. "
— Ryan, 1/20/2014" Worst audiobook ever. "
— Davy, 1/18/2014" My favorite sign of the apocalypse is that Stephen King writes 700 more pages to The Stand. "
— Mike, 1/11/2014" I think this book is supposed to be funny, but it is just so rambling and random for me to "get it." Sorry, Hodgman. I like you on the Daily Show, but this book was not very good. "
— Alicia, 12/22/2013" Less funny than the second book in the series. Still glad that I read it, but over time the structure and tone got old and less interesting. "
— Cassandra, 12/2/2013" I cannot fathom what goes on in the brain of John Hodgman. But from a purely selfish standpoint, this wonderfully detailed tome of ridiculousness made me laugh a great deal, and so I'm not sure I want to know, as long as it keeps coming. "
— Karl, 12/1/2013" It pains me to say, but I think I got tired of these books with this one. "
— Mike, 9/24/2013" I actually made it to the list of "ancient and unspeakable ones." This is a triumph for me. Also, this book is hilarious. "
— Dave, 9/14/2013" Absurd humour that is occasionally very funny, sometimes silly and at other times, (on purpose) mystifying. Hodgman is brilliantly inventive - the scale of 'That is all' suprises - so much effort towards all that there is.. "
— Monty, 7/29/2013" 2 stars, because I did manage to laugh a couple of times. This book is so, so painfully 2011. So full of trends, so full of topical humor, it will date like last night's late night comedy routine. "
— Meril, 6/25/2013" I think this book just wasn't my cup of tea - it was great for what it was, but I found some parts of it to be a little tedious. Maybe better for reading in small chunks instead of all the way through at once. "
— becki, 5/29/2013" FACT: John Hodgman is a treasure, and I will read everything he writes. I admit he might not be everyone's taste, but his sense of humor dovetails with mine almost perfectly. "
— Darrenglass, 5/5/2013" So it is with everything he does: John Hodgman again produced a great, hilarious book. You mustached, portly bastard. "
— Charles, 3/22/2013" I read all three of the books in this series, but the second one, More Information Than You Require, is the only one that I really liked. It was fantastic though and i highly recommend it. "
— Brett, 2/8/2013" Reading this it's like John Hodgman knows all the things I like, and one of those things is John Hodgman being clever. "
— Charles, 11/24/2012" Hodgman's third book in his trilogy of fake trivia books gets a little bit obscure for my tastes. But there are some chapters that made me laugh out loud at inappropriate times. "
— Bob, 11/22/2012John Hodgman is a writer, comedian, and actor.. He is the author of three New York Times bestselling books—The Areas of My Expertise, More Information Than You Require, and That Is All. After an appearance to promote his books on The Daily Show, he was invited to return as a contributor, serving as the show’s “Resident Expert” and “Deranged Millionaire.” This led to an unexpected and, frankly, implausible career before the camera. He has performed comedy for the president of the United States, at a TED conference, and in a crypt in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York. Finally, he is the host of the popular Judge John Hodgman podcast, in which he settles serious disputes between real people, such as “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” and “Should we tell our children the TRUTH about Santa Claus?” He also contributes a weekly column under the same name for the New York Times Magazine.