books on evolution of knowledge are always fascinating and this book is no exception.
an amazing story of the creation and evolution of encyclopedias and knowledge-accumulation and passing from centuries.

This was an entertaining and informative read. I found myself sharing what I learned from this book with those around me. I recommend it to fans of good and highly readable non-fiction.

A fun history-nerd read about the OG "world wide web"! I enjoyed Garfield's humor and unique approach to this unusual subject. I also want to go out and buy a bunch of encyclopedia sets now. :-P

Simon Garfield's All the Knowledge in the World: The Extraordinary History of the Encyclopedia is as entertaining, informative and tangent filled as its subject, the encyclopedia. Arranged into 26 alphabetically themed chapters, Garfield takes us through the development of the encyclopedia from its historical precursors, such as the work of Pliny the Elder and Younger, through the birth of European printed culture to our present digital Wikipedia dominant lives.

For those interested in the creation, documentation and distribution of knowledge, it is a fascinating read that has relevance for our lives today. Garfield begins the book by discussing how he was easily and cheaply able to gather several encyclopedias through internet marketplaces, inspiring this work. A through line of the work is the pursuit of presenting the up to date knowledge of the world in a compact nature. This is presented as both a philosophical pursuit and an economic one.

Some narrative points are not surprising, the challenges of creating a work of its size, writing for different audiences and of course Wikipedia. There are also plenty of interesting diversions, such as those who have read or attempted to read the encyclopedia in its entirety (A. J. Jacobs among them), or more troubling the smarmy hard sell training for door-to-door salesman that was in direct contradiction to the goals of the encyclopedia.

Worth a read for those interested in book history, systems of knowledge creation and distribution, or those who would read the encyclopedia.

All the Knowledge in the World is billed as a popular history of the encyclopedia - but it does explore more than this. Because of the nature of the encyclopedia as a record of knowledge, it lends itself to philosophical thought and reflection on the nature of knowledge itself. What counts as important enough to be knowledge, to be wisdom as opposed to mere observation? Garfield uses historical examples of encyclopedia entries for witchcraft and demonry and the contemporary absence of entries for geography to highlight that the answers to such questions are not so straightforward, and have often been recast over time.

The different chapters use different historical encyclopedias to highlight big questions including how to consider structuring knowledge (alphabetically? thematically?), and what to consider the purpose of encyclopedias (to “own” knowledge? or as a public good?). As a history and philosophy of science major in college, this seems like it should appeal to me. Unfortunately, the author seems to be more enamored by encyclopedic trivia than I am (something the introduction perhaps should have warned me of), and elaborations on these big questions are buried within what feels like a strained structure of alphabetically-titled chapters and subchapters.

If I had a print copy of this book, I do think it would be a nice skim through to find these nuggets of wisdom and trivia scattered throughout. But as a linear read, this one was a DNF.

Thanks to William Morrow and Netgalley for an e-ARC of this title in exchange for a fair review.

I've been a fan of Simon Garfield for a while. He has such a unique way of taking a very niche topic and turning it into an endlessly fascinating subject. This continues to ring true with his latest book, All the Knowledge in the World, a throughly researched history of the encyclopedia. Although, as an English major and avid book reader, I was intrigued by the content of this book, I honestly wasn't expecting to be swept away by a book about encyclopedias. But I was wrong! There's so much you can learn about history, society, and culture from the language that we use, and this book expertly explores this. Also, the formatting was really unique and paired with the content perfectly, adding an extra level of fun to the reading experience.

I would absolutely recommend this book to patrons of the library and am looking forward to checking out any and everything Garfield writes after this.

All the Knowledge in the World by Simon Garfield will be published on February 28, 2023. William Morrow provided an early galley for review.

Growing up in the 1970's, we had a set of encyclopedias (a set of Funk and Wagnalls in my brother's room). So did my aunt and uncle; theirs (an Encyclopedia Britannica set) was a few years older but much more comprehensive. When I couldn't find what I was looking for in either of those for my school research papers, it was off to the public library to look in theirs (always a bit more current). I have a fond devotion to these weighty tomes of knowledge. That's what drew me to this upcoming title.

First impressions: I really smiled at the fact that each chapter of the book has an alphabetic title. The reader literally goes from A to Z with this study; I think that's a clever touch. Within each chapter are then sections and entries that correspond to the chapter's starting letter as well as the overall theme of the chapter. It adds a level of design to the book that I really can get behind.

Garfield tells the story of the encyclopedia, from its earliest roots through its rise to a dominant position and then to its decline due to advances in technology. It is told in a fascinating, fact-filled manner that keeps the history lesson moving and engaging. Bibliophiles will find this one enjoyable.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher William Morrow for an advance copy of this book on the history, creation and love of encyclopedias, from the earliest to the Wikis of today.

I don't remember when I started, but for many years I have been using a file card as a bookmarks while reading physical books or keep one tucked inside of my tablet for e-books. On these file cards I write down quotes from famous people, lines from the book that strike me, facts and information that I didn't know, or want to question even cool words, or foreign phrases I wanted to know more about. I use the card until it is done, for multiple books, or for certain books I will number the cards especially if it is historical. I always give the title and author, and know I regret that I never put dates on them, something I will start with this book. I keep all these cards in a large box, not in any order, and have thought about arranging them, sort of an encyclopedia of me I guess. I love facts, sharing facts and learning new ones. I love books that tell about things I enjoy, the Encyclopedia of Science- Fiction is one I still look at, though it is much out of date. I still have the Funk & Wagnalls my parents bought book by book from our Grand Union, a book I cribbed many a high school paper from. So a book on encyclopedias, and one as well written as this one, that's my jam. Journalist and writer Simon Garfield has in All the Knowledge in the World: The Extraordinary History of the Encyclopedia has written both a history and a paean to a lost art and time when looking up facts took time and the only distractions were other entries catching the eye, rather than a cat on TikTok while checking a phone for proof of something to win a bar bet.

The book begins with a hunt and sort of a quest as our author is looking through Ebay and finding complete sets of encyclopedias that have historical or even personal meanings to the author. Garfield is surprised at the price of many, and thinks it would be crazy not to get them, thought what to do with them is still a question. Maybe even to hold up a computer desk is one of his ideas. From there we go on an exploration of the world of encyclopedias from the earliest ones to the most modern. The entries are listed alphabetically, something that many creators had problems with, along with many other controversies. We learn about educators, and printers, and people who compiled, or hoped to compile all the knowledge in the world into one form, though as usual certain subjects were given short shrift. Readers learn about the Suda, a tenth century Byzantine and Greek encyclopedia of the classical world, that is going through a reworking, or the Yongle Dadian, a Chinese collection that sadly has been rotting away. Plus there are discussions on vary controversies, like alphabetical presentation, stories about door to door salespeople, and the future of encyclopedias.

The book is very interesting, well sourced, filled with fun facts, very humorous, and written with love for the subject. Garfield enjoys his encyclopedias, and enjoys writing about them, again this is not an assignment but an appreciation. Garfield writes to share, not to lecture, for people to go, gosh that is interesting I never knew that, please tell me more. The author has a real gift in being able to communicate about classic writings, authors noses, selling encyclopedias, the guilt in not having one, and the joy of opening one up to just read randomly. The pictures in the book are apt, and of the style, and help the reader get an idea of what Garfield is discussing. Plus the sketches about the humans involved in this are not just informative, but touching, unless the people were jerks, which he is quick to point out.

This is a great gift for the person who loves facts, loves to learns, or reads with a file card. Not just up that reader's alley, but a book that will really speak to them. Recommended for people interested in English literature, librarian studies and for people who love facts, and are hard to buy for. This book will be a treat.

All the Knowledge in the World by Simon Garfield is a lovely history of the (western) encyclopedia. The chapters run from A to Z, with thematic titles for the chapter topic. I found this book to be very comprehensive and an interesting read. It is chock full of facts so it might be easier to skim some sections, but I greatly enjoyed learning about the journey of how people tried to compile and organize the sum of humanity's knowledge over the centuries.