Has anyone read the Encyclopedia Britannica?

Yes, people have read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica, with some doing it as a personal challenge or stunt, famously documented by author A.J. Jacobs in The Know-It-All, and even the Shah of Persia once declared himself "Most Formidable Lord and Master of the Encyclopædia Britannica" after reading an early edition. Many others read sections for self-education, using it as a primary learning tool before the internet era.

Has anyone ever read the entire encyclopedia?

The Know-It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World is a book by Esquire editor A. J. Jacobs, published in 2004. It recounts his experience of reading the entire Encyclopædia Britannica; all 32 volumes of the 2002 edition, extending to over 33,000 pages with some 44 million words.

How credible is the encyclopedia Britannica?

In the accuracy category, the Britannica received one "D" and seven "A"s, Encyclopedia Americana received eight "A"s, and Collier's received one "D" and seven "A"s; thus, Britannica received an average score of 92% for accuracy to Americana's 95% and Collier's 92%.

Should I read the encyclopedia Britannica?

The Encyclopedia Britannica contains carefully edited articles on all major topics. It fits the ideal purpose of a reference work as a place to get started, or to refer back to as you read and write. The articles in Britannica are written by expert authors who are both identifiable and credible.

Are encyclopedia Britannica worth money?

Britannica encyclopedias generally have very little monetary value today because the internet made them obsolete, with most sets selling for under $200, but valuable exceptions exist for rare, early editions (9th/11th) or pristine, sealed sets, while others are best used for decor or donated, notes this Quora post and this Reddit thread. 

What I Learned from Reading the Entire Encyclopedia - A.J. Jacobs

What to do with 50 year old encyclopedias?

You can dispose of old encyclopedias by donating them to local schools or libraries. Check with the local charity if they accept donated encyclopedias or throw a garage sale.

Where can I sell my encyclopedia Britannica set?

If you're interested in selling back the New Encyclopedia Britannica 35VOL book, you can always look up BookScouter for the best deal. BookScouter checks 30+ buyback vendors with a single search and gives you actual information on buyback pricing instantly.

Why was the Encyclopedia Britannica discontinued?

Encyclopedia Britannica stopped printing its famous multi-volume set in 2012 primarily due to the rise of the internet, which made print encyclopedias obsolete, costly, and slow to update compared to dynamic digital resources like Wikipedia and its own online versions. The company shifted its focus to digital products, including online encyclopedias and educational software, as consumers moved to the web for information.
 

Is reading 100 pages in 3 hours slow?

Slow readers may take 3+ hours to read a 100-page book. Average readers finish it in 1.5–2 hours. Fast readers can read it in under 1 hour (with good comprehension)

What is the most reliable encyclopedia in the world?

Britannica's content is among the most trusted in the world. Subscribe to Britannica Premium and unlock our entire database of trusted content today.

Do they still make Encyclopedia Britannica?

No, Encyclopaedia Britannica stopped printing physical books after the 2010 edition, shifting entirely to its digital platforms (Britannica.com, Britannica Kids) to compete with online resources like Wikipedia and offer continuously updated content, though they still focus on educational products and AI tools now. The last print run was the 32-volume 2010 edition, marking the end of a 244-year tradition.
 

Is Wikipedia more accurate than Britannica?

Yes, Britannica is generally considered more reliable due to its expert authors and pre-publication vetting, but studies show Wikipedia often matches its accuracy, especially in science, though it may have more factual errors and bias, while Britannica offers deep, expert-backed analysis for foundational knowledge, making Wikipedia great for quick overviews and Britannica better for scholarly depth. 

Is Britannica free to use?

No, full access to Encyclopedia Britannica is not free; it requires a paid subscription for features like unlimited articles, ad-free content, and educational tools, though they offer a 7-day free trial and limited free content is available on Britannica.com, plus free access for journalists and through some libraries. Most in-depth articles are behind a paywall, but you can sometimes find snippets or access it via institutional logins like university libraries. 

Why did the Catholic Church ban the encyclopedia?

The Catholic Church banned Diderot's Encyclopédie because it promoted Enlightenment ideals that challenged Church authority, promoted secular and rational thinking over religious dogma, questioned biblical miracles, criticized clerical abuses, and advocated for social reforms that threatened the traditional order, ultimately seeing it as a heretical work undermining faith and morals. The Church feared its influence in spreading irreligion, atheism, and social rebellion, leading to its placement on the Index of Prohibited Books. 

Why do books have 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1?

That sequence of numbers (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or similar) on a book's copyright page is a "printer's key," showing its print run; the lowest number indicates the printing (e.g., '1' for first, '4' for fourth), with publishers removing the lowest number with each new run to avoid re-typesetting, letting readers and collectors know which version it is.
 

Is it possible to read 1000 books a year?

Yes, reading 1,000 books in a year is possible but extremely challenging, requiring dedication to short books (like children's books or novellas), audiobooks, and efficient strategies like skimming or speed reading; it breaks down to about 3 books daily, but some methods involve reading to kids or skimming extensively, as truly absorbing 1,000 substantial novels is nearly impossible for most. 

How fast did JFK read?

John F. Kennedy (JFK) was a famous proponent of speed reading, reportedly increasing his reading speed from under 300 words per minute (WPM) to around 1,200 WPM after taking a course in the mid-1950s, a significant jump that allowed him to absorb information rapidly and even encourage his staff to learn the skill. While some sources mention higher estimates (like 2,500 or 5,000 WPM), 1,200 WPM is the widely cited figure for his post-course ability.
 

What is the 5 finger rule for books?

The number of fingers they're holding up by the end of the page tells them if the book is the right level: 0-1 fingers: It's too easy. 2-3 fingers: It's just right. 4-5 fingers: It's too hard for independent reading (best read aloud with a buddy).

How fast does Bill Gates read?

Bill Gates reads incredibly fast, reportedly around 150 pages per hour with high comprehension (around 90%), allowing him to finish about 50 books a year by focusing on consistent, deep reading in hour-long chunks and taking extensive notes. He pairs this with "Think Weeks" and often reads multiple books at once, switching between topics for better knowledge synthesis, using both paper and digital formats. 

How much is the Encyclopedia Britannica worth today?

The value of an Encyclopedia Britannica set varies wildly, from virtually worthless for modern, common editions (often only good for decor) to hundreds or even thousands of dollars for rare, older editions (like the 9th or 11th), depending on scarcity, condition, binding (leather is pricier), and completeness, with online marketplaces showing prices from under $10 to several thousand for special finds, while digital access is now subscription-based.
 

How much did a set of encyclopedias cost in 1980?

In 1980, a new set of popular encyclopedias like Encyclopedia Britannica or World Book cost a significant amount, generally ranging from $500 to over $1,000, with some sets reaching up to $1,000-$3,000, often requiring monthly payments and sold door-to-door as a major household investment.
 

Are any encyclopedias still in print?

Yes, some encyclopedias are still made, primarily World Book Encyclopedia, which remains in print for schools, libraries, and homeschooling families, though major publishers like Britannica have moved to digital-only formats. While the internet offers vast, free resources like Wikipedia, print encyclopedias offer curated, expert-vetted information for educational purposes, with annual updates to reflect current events, notes World Book Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Ars Technica, and The Saturday Evening Post.
 

Is it worth buying an Encyclopedia Britannica?

Britannica encyclopedias generally have very little monetary value today because the internet made them obsolete, with most sets selling for under $200, but valuable exceptions exist for rare, early editions (9th/11th) or pristine, sealed sets, while others are best used for decor or donated, notes this Quora post and this Reddit thread. 

Who accepts old encyclopedias?

Recycling encyclopedias

Call your local library and ask if you may donate your set to be sold. Put it up for giveaway on freecycle.org. If they're really old -- say, more than 100 years -- call a rare bookseller and ask if they're worth anything. Find out if a local recycler takes them.

Can you still purchase the Encyclopedia Britannica?

The Encyclopedia Britannica, a competitor of World Book, ended its print run in 2012. A World Book rep told Quartz in 2019 that the print encyclopedia sold mostly to schools, public libraries, and homeschooling families. Today, Evans says that public and school libraries are still the company's primary customers.