The Answer is...:Reflections on My Life by Alex Trebek-304 pages
I grew up watching Jeopardy! and I still catch it when I can. I don't get the opportunity to watch it often anymore, but I still very much enjoy it when I do. I've taken the online test a few times, but I've never gotten called for an audition. When I heard that this was coming out I immediately knew I would want to read it. A few reviews on Goodreads have knocked it for Trebek's writing not being as eloquent as his speaking, but he states in the Introduction to the book that his writing is not on par with his speaking. I feel this is an unfair criticism and I have enjoyed reading this book. I have learned a few things I didn't know about Trebek before, such as that his mother spent 36 hours in labor with him and wouldn't let him forget it during her 95 years on earth, his father was an immigrant to Canada from Ukraine, Trebek's given name is George Alexander Trebek (his dad's was George Edward Trebek, so that's why he started going by Alex), and so on. Also, he spent 3 days in military college, but quit because he decided it wasn't for him. Trebek shares his thoughts on some of the more notable contestants and his thoughts on the show and it's success over the years. Finally, I enjoyed a story he shared about meeting Queen Elizabeth II in a greeting line after a show he participated in while living in Canada. On the first night, he conversed with Her Majesty the Queen for about 5 minutes because Prince Philip was lingering behind and it's customary for them to leave together. Trebek thought he had a good, short conversation and a connection with the Queen. However, he was in a different greeting line the next night and the Queen didn't remember who he was or their conversation from the previous night. Finally, I find it very cool that we both sponsor (in his case now, sponsored) a child through World Vision. He also traveled to many different countries with World Vision and donated time and money to several other charities. It seems (from this book and having watched Jeopardy! many times over the years) that Trebek was a humble, kind, caring man and it would have been cool to meet him.
