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The Answer Is . . .: Reflections on My Life
The Answer Is . . .: Reflections on My Life
The Answer Is . . .: Reflections on My Life
Audiobook4 hours

The Answer Is . . .: Reflections on My Life

Written by Alex Trebek

Narrated by Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

Longtime Jeopardy! host and television icon Alex Trebek reflects on his life and career.

When he debuted as the host of Jeopardy! in 1984, Alex Trebek became something like a family member to millions of television viewers, bringing entertainment and education into their homes five nights a week. In 2019, he made the stunning announcement that he had been diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. What followed was an incredible outpouring of love and kindness. Social media was flooded with messages of support, and the Jeopardy! studio received boxes of cards and letters offering guidance, encouragement, and prayers.

For more than three decades, Trebek had resisted countless appeals to write a book about his life. Yet he was moved so much by all the goodwill, he felt compelled to finally share his story. “I want people to know a little more about the person they have been cheering on for the past year,” he writes.

The book combines illuminating personal anecdotes with Trebek’s thoughts on a range of topics, including marriage, parenthood, education, success, spirituality, and philanthropy. Trebek also addresses the questions asked most often by Jeopardy! fans, such as what prompted him to shave his signature mustache, his insights on legendary players like Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, and his opinion of Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live impersonation. The book uses a novel structure inspired by Jeopardy! and features dozens of never-before-seen photos that candidly capture Trebek over the years.

This wise, charming, and inspiring book is further evidence of why Trebek has long been considered one of the most beloved and respected figures in entertainment.

Editor's Note

In memoriam…

Beloved “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek died November 8 at age 80. In his memoir, the charming, avuncular Trebek shares his life stories, offering a deeper understanding of the man viewers invited into their lives every weeknight for generations.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 21, 2020
ISBN9781797115894
Author

Alex Trebek

Alex Trebek hosted the syndicated quiz show Jeopardy! for thirty-six seasons, earning him seven Daytime Emmy Awards—including a Lifetime Achievement Award—and the Guinness World Record for most episodes of a game show hosted by the same presenter. Prior to Jeopardy!, he hosted numerous quiz shows and game shows, including The Wizard of Odds and High Rollers. He began his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, working there for more than a decade. He graduated from the University of Ottawa and held honorary doctorates from the University of Ottawa and Fordham University. He worked with the humanitarian organization World Vision and contributed to various other philanthropic organizations, including the USO, UNCF, National Geographic Society, and the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission. He died in Los Angeles on November 8, 2020, at the age of eighty.

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Reviews for The Answer Is . . .

Rating: 4.587131367292225 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

373 ratings27 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I did not know what to expect with this one but it turned out to be one of the best biographies I’ve read. The audiobook was extremely good and would recommend that version. I wasn’t a big fan of Jeopardy but I really enjoyed just hearing about his life and the show.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Very well done ..very well..very well...I have to write five words so very well done, again
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This man is an international treasure. I loved listening to this.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A classy book by a classy man! Gives a great perspective of our friend.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I enjoyed the mix of listening to Ken and Alex reading the book alternately. Listening to some of the anecdotes and stories of Alex’s life before and during the years of Jeopardy was informative, funny, and at times inspiring. I very much enjoyed this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Liked Alex’s style, humor and honesty he expressed in covering so many facets of his life.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It was beautiful and brought a lot of tears out. A perfect example of how modest he was about everything.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Absolutely amazing! What an awesome look into such an amazing man’s life, also was super excited to hear my town mentioned in this book as I reside in Greenville Pennsylvania the home of the Greenville symphony orchestra that was once directed by the one and only Alex Trebek!!! And it’s even more exciting to know but in the end Alex is continuing to help people even after his death by donating the proceeds of this book two great charities!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved it. This is a must read for fans of Jeopardy. I enjoyed chapter 1 all the way to the chapter 84.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A wonderful book. I learned so much about him and how down to earth he was. I will miss Mr. Trebek.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Absolutely wonderful insight to America's greatest quiz show host. I'm impressed with how he so enthusiastically stayed true to the essence of Jeopardy. The most humble and modest man in television has a great story to tell.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book enjoyed it super a lot of things I did not know about him
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    it is a feel good novel,i enjoyed a lot while reading this,it is a biography and family story as well.it is very informative and it teach some stories. The story of Alex's was really inspiring one .the writer talks about up and down of his life very cleaver. After ,the end of the story it is something teach all of us
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Biographies are not my preferred genre. I read this one because my family has watched and enjoyed Jeopardy for years and Alex Trebeck feels very much a part of our lives. This is A lighthearted biography by a nice honest and straight talking man. Alex Trebeck has had some luck, made some right decisions, and worked hard to get where he is. I enjoyed the tales of the shows history and the stories of some past contestants. Some amazing people have passed through the show.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Alex Trebek is an American game show host icon.

    Appearing on TV as a role model of grace, poise and style he is very well respected and his recent health situation has brought him close to the heart for so many people.

    Biographies are a great way to truly learn more about someone, although often getting to the real depths of how they achieved success isn’t straightforward as they often don’t know. But through their stories we can sometimes glimpse hints.

    There’s an art to telling a story about oneself that focuses on the story and not on oneself and this book seems to be a bit more of Alex and not as much story.

    This isn’t to say the book should be avoided because it does give a peek into Alex and if you’ve grown to become connected to him through Jeopardy you’ll likely enjoy deepening that connection.

    While most authors are the best narrators in this case Alex would have been perfect as he has voiceover work as a former radio professional. Ken Jennings, with a nice connection to Jeopardy and Alex, wasn’t the best as a narrator choice.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Felt like I was hearing stories from a relative. Very comforting.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    This man sold bogus insurance to my father ... our family was never paid. I was licensed for life insurance and securities ... he made millions pitching the worst insurance one can buy.
    After 25 years of paying ... NOTHING! Alex is an acerbic and dishonest broker ... just like all the other American fascists who deviled and raped our resources for themselves. All republicans raped the sacrifice of gold star families like mine. Good riddens, Alex.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What a down to earth guy! I love that, although Ken Jennings narrated the bulk, Alex chose to narrate his most personal passages. He lead a good life and fortunate to die surrounded by his loved ones. RIP Alex Trebek
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I enjoyed the thoughts and the short reminiscing. The reader was excellent
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Great book. I couldn’t put it down. Very well written
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    simple & beautiful book. Highly suggest the Audiobook to get the Trebek narration (which is amazing).
    Just a man and his life. nothing can be more beautiful. the ending had me teared up.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I have long admired Alex and love Jeopardy. This book was a lovely glimpse into the man on and off TV.
    I think having Ken Jennings assist in the reading was marvelous. Clearly they became very close. Even as he was failing, Alex taught us - he taught us how to die with dignity and love! I highly recommend this book to fans and non-fans alike.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautiful story. An amazing life lived and so much wisdom shared. A tear jerker for sure.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A very interesting book to read to learn and understand.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings do a lovely job narrating. In our present world of extremes, it is a relief and balm to hear a person talk about his wife, children, work, volunteerism, colleagues, viewers and life with respect, balance, wit, warmth and gentle humor.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A heartfelt book written by Alex Trebek in the final days of his terminal cancer. Read by Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings, the book is a collection of memorable anecdotes and quiet wisdom. It succeeds as a final capstone on the legacy of a good man. Proceeds from the sale of the book are being donated to charitable organizations.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A wonderful read God bless Alex nice tears A treaure