This first book by the man who beat the bank on Jeopardy! - the winningest player ever, to the tune of almost $2.5 million - only briefly recounts the events surrounding that achievement. Instead, it's a highly entertaining and witty look at the fascination trivia has held in society for the past few hundred years, with organized events and publications appearing in the mid-1800s on both sides of the Atlantic. Jennings revisits college competitions in which he participated and through the friends he has made by participating in trivia contests, provides an entertaining overview of contemporary trivia events. My favorite is a radio-sponsored contest held in Stevens Point, WI for the past 40 years that regularly brings thousands to this small town in the dead of winter. For 50+ hours questions are broadcast that will appeal to different generations among a dizzying array of fields of inquiry. Jenkins laments the presence of computer geeks who are adept in using Google at some events, but the espirit d'corps seems alive and well - one long-time team has even purchased a house that will be available for their use each year. If this isn't tantalizing enough, you also will learn how many nipples a female opposum has.

Far from your typical Holocaust book. Narrated by Death, this book is a fabulous read, and although marketed and catalogued for young adults, is very sophisticated and incredibly deep.

This book took modern science to ancient Jerusalem. I'm not a big believer and it really gave me a different view and knowledge of the days during the crucifixion. It should not offend any Christians. I would highly recommend anyone read this.

The star story in 'Leah, Newhampshire' a collection by Thomas Williams. After the death of his wife, Robert Hurley goes back to Leah where he was born. While hunting in the great forests of beech, juniper, maple and pine, he relives his wife's last months and at the same time confronts his own mortality and the dangers of the woods where he hunted as a boy. A sparsely evocative story with a brilliant final line.