That Is All

By: John Hodgman

Narrated by: John Hodgman

Length: 16 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Multi-Voiced Performance, 2013

John Hodgman - best-selling 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 best seller 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, and Prominent Ragnarok Denier Dr. Elliott Kalan.

Music by Jonathan Coulton, John Roderick, John Flansburgh, John Darnielle, and Cynthia Hopkins.

©2012 John Hodgman (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Zenith of World Knowledge Conclusively Achieved!!

In this eagerly awaited final volume of his compendium of world knowledge, Hodgman has reached the apex of his career (and finale if, as he predicts, the world will end with Ragnarök on 12/21/2012).

Hodgman's skill at creating and describing a delightfully ridiculous version of reality never fails to please. His mock serious narration of the "facts," together with the contributions of various guests, including Paul Rudd, Jonathan Coulton, Jon Hamm, Rachel Maddow, Paul F. Tompkins, Dick Cavett, and Brooke Shields, makes for a delightful listen.

Hodgman addresses issues that are admittedly tough for him, such as wine and sports, but he valiantly soldiers on, relying on just enough actual facts for the listener to start wondering where the real stuff stops and the fantastical begins.

A large part of the pleasure of this audiobook is Hodgman's own wonderfully dry narration which, along with the guest commentaries, makes for the perfect, and very funny, audiobook experience.

Magnificent nerd humor--make sure you catch it before Ragnarök!

His best yet

What did you love best about That Is All?

Funny, thoughtful, beautifully written -- some truly lovely passages in here, tucked in among fake facts and outright comedy.

What other book might you compare That Is All to and why?

His previous two.

Which character – as performed by John Hodgman – was your favorite?

He plays himself. So: that one.

Not as funny as the first two books

John Hodgman's dry style of humor is amazing. What is not as amazing is the decision to write a day by day account of the events of the end of the world. Sorry folks, but a 'Day calendar' doesn't translate well to an audio format. The rest of the book is amazing, but this section grows very weary on the ears. Other than that - I completely enjoyed this book - the whit and humor of a deranged millionaire is quite funny.

Industrial Drivel

Would you try another book from John Hodgman and/or John Hodgman?

Not after the intellectual assault of "That is All".

Would you ever listen to anything by John Hodgman again?

Only in small snippets, what is what Mr. Hodgman should stick to the 2 min monologue.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of John Hodgman?

John works well as a narrator of his own stuff. His side kick and other cameo appearances were interesting, but the whole thing was like eternally listening to someone tell a joke and waiting for the punch line, which never comes.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was an exercise in self discipline, since I bought the thing, I had better listen to it. But it was an arduous task. The primary redeeming quality is that it has an end.

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed that john found it necessary to resort to profanity. He obviously has not mastered the art of comedy without gratuitous vulgarity.

do not purchase

can I get a refund? this was a waste of a credit. do not purchase this mess

bad

What disappointed you about That Is All?

i did not like this book, i did not like it at all. It was not funny

What do you think your next listen will be?

i did not like this book, i did not like it at all. It was not funny

What didn’t you like about John Hodgman’s performance?

i did not like this book, i did not like it at all. It was not funny

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

i did not like this book, i did not like it at all. It was not funny

Any additional comments?

i did not like this book, i did not like it at all. It was not funny