The Answer Is . . .: Reflections on My Life Hardcover – Illustrated, 21 July 2020

Not much of a big reader. But short chapters keeps you wanting more to read. Overall fantastic book. Really enjoyed it.Short chapters which l loved because l am not a huge reader so this book kept me interested and wanting more.Overall great book and a great person Alex Trebek. RIP

A very novel structure is used by Alex Trebek in this very simply written memoir of a man who headed an incredibly popular television game show. It reflects that game show that he hosted for 36 years of his life. (He and the show are part of my Canadian past; we were avid fans).Throughout one learns about the person, Alex Trebek:humane, self-deprecating, philosophical, humorous, positive, optimistic, realistic and a great lover of life. Always fair - at all times he will introduce the flip side of the coin/a story. Someone imbued with an insatiable quest for knowledge and understanding, shown through his recounting of memories and life’s happenings, his travels and what he believed in.An exceptional human being, albeit he would be the first person to deny that kind of "title".There is no real eloquence to his writing, but that is the charm of his book as well as of the man himself. In many instances it feels like he's right there talking to you, and if that was his goal he achieved it beautifully. Especially considering he never did want to write about himself, yet I guess he gave in to doing so because he didn't want any distortions of his life or who he was.I enjoyed reading his memoir for the sheer simplicity of its style, for the insights he gave into his personality and his life and also for the very different style that he used in reflecting the job he did and held and enjoyed doing with all his soul and being.

Alex Trebek’s autobiography is the antithesis of the usual star write-up. He isn’t Mariah Carey so don’t go into it expecting lots of dirt or shade against other stars. Instead, Alex is a perfectly decent individual who reckons his life has been blessed - and that is what makes “The Answer Is” such a tonic. A man who has values, is humble, loves his family - and has some insightful things to say about his cancer prognosis. Yes, you will cry (I was in tears at the end) but it will also lift your spirits. How many other books can you say that about in 2020. A must-read.

This was a book club read for our small group. It was enjoyable!

Interesting.