Brainiac by Ken Jennings - Book Review

You might expect Ken Jennings’ Brainiac to be a straightforward memoir from this unlikely celebrity about his record-breaking winning streak on Jeopardy! This surprisingly entertaining and well-written book is much more than that, though. Brainiac is a memoir of his unbeatable game show streak, but it’s also a history of trivia and a discussion of today’s trivia subcultures, from pub quizzes to quiz bowls. Brainiac is a fun read for any trivia fan.

Ken Jennings’ Brainiac is a memoir of his record-breaking 74-game winning streak of Jeopardy! It’s more than that, though—it’s also a history of trivia and a fond look at various forms of trivia obsession in today’s culture. Jennings researches the early incarnations of trivia back to the 17th century, and spends time visiting today’s quiz bowl champions and acting as the ringer for a pub quiz team.

Brainiac is very well-written and Jennings seamlessly transitions between the account of his Jeopardy! journey and more meandering explorations of the world of trivia. He takes a humble and self-deprecating approach to his own game show success, attributing it to luck and the advantage of experience over fresh challengers. He provides enough tidbits and trivia about the show itself to interest and amuse fans, but Brainiac is no shocking exposé. It’s also worth noting that the book is beautifully typeset and designed, though the fact that each chapter is titled in the form of a Jeopardy! question makes for slightly forced chapter titles.

Reading Brainiac won’t make you feel smart—the quiz bowl sample questions in particular are impossible—but you can keep yourself guessing with the trivia questions embedded throughout. (The answers are provided at the end of each chapter.) You will learn a lot, though, and find yourself entertained by this quick and lighthearted book.