All the Knowledge in the World: The Extraordinary History of the Encyclopaedia

Encyclopaedia Britannica was once a source of wisdom and knowledge, but now it gathers dust and sells for almost nothing on eBay. This book explores the history and significance of encyclopaedias, from their creation in Ancient Greece to the present day. It examines how they have reflected changing attitudes towards sexuality, race, and technology, and how they were often riddled with errors and prejudice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

The encyclopedia, once a cornerstone of our understanding of the world, held immense significance in the lives of countless individuals. Comprising the collective efforts of thousands of scholars and the meticulous scrutiny of dedicated editors, it promised to bring wisdom effortlessly into the living rooms of adults. The contributions of luminaries such as Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Orville Wright, Alfred Hitchcock, Marie Curie, and Indira Gandhi not only enriched the minds of millions of children but also played a pivotal role in their academic pursuits.

However, the landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. These once-treasured encyclopedias now gather dust on shelves, their value diminished significantly. On online platforms like eBay, they can be purchased for mere pennies, a stark contrast to their former exorbitant prices. It seems that we have embraced a new era of information accessibility, where we can derive knowledge from the internet, seemingly for free.

But what have we lost in this transition? How do we measure the progress of our lives in the past, when the encyclopaedia played a central role in shaping our knowledge and understanding?

All the Knowledge in the World is a captivating journey through history, celebrating the creators of the most groundbreaking and remarkable publishing phenomenon of any age. It traces the story of encyclopedias from their ancient origins in Ancient Greece to the modern-day digital realm of Wikipedia. The book explores the evolution of encyclopedias, from modest single-volume publications to the mammoth 11,000-volume Chinese manuscript that was too large to print. It delves into the dominance of Encyclopaedia Britannica in the industry and the ingenious sales tactics employed by door-to-door salesmen to convince guilt-ridden parents to invest in these comprehensive resources.

Through his characteristic ability to tackle the broadest of subjects in an illuminating and highly entertaining way, Simon Garfield uncovers a fascinating and important part of our past. He explores how encyclopedias have reflected changing attitudes towards sexuality, race, and technology, and exposes the occasional errors and prejudices that plagued these ultimate bastions of trust.

In this book, Garfield raises thought-provoking questions about the pursuit of complete knowledge, a human ambition that has remained elusive throughout history. He wonders whether the promise of a comprehensive understanding of the world will forever remain beyond our grasp.

All the Knowledge in the World serves as a reminder of the immense value of information and the role that encyclopedias have played in shaping our understanding of the world. It is a testament to the dedication and expertise of those who have contributed to these remarkable publications and a call to appreciate the wealth of knowledge that still exists within the pages of these ancient tomes. As we navigate the digital age, let us strive to preserve the legacy of encyclopedias and continue to seek out new avenues for knowledge acquisition and exploration.

Weight: 524g
Dimension: 145 x 223 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474610773