Answers in the Form of Questions

Appropriate read for this year, since Alex Trebek has moved on and Jeopardy! is entering it’s experimental phase. This book gives people an inside look at the show, the people, and what they mean to each other.

For the most part, this reads as almost an investigative like journalism piece, with McNear going undercover as a contestant on the show - staying in the same hotel as contestants, riding the bus to the studio with them, taking the practice quizzes, etc. It really gives you the inside story of what being on the show is like. She also goes to various quizzing events, from the highest of non-Jeopardy! competitions to a pub quiz night featuring several former contestants. McNear highlights the stresses, fun, and accomplishments of the players.

She gets into strategy, as well. She talks about how the best players are good with the signaling device, how they practice (it’s all about the pose), how they study with children’s history books (facts distilled simply), and, of course, what you should bet on the daily doubles.

There are interviews, too. McNear interviews everyone you would want to hear from. All of the big players on the show, with some surprising standout producers, and historians of the show.

Overall, if you’re interested in the show at all, or have ever taken part in a pub quiz, I would definitely recommend this book. It’s not too inside baseball, so it’s interesting to everyone, even though Jeopardy! is the game for smart people.