First published 2017
A.J. Jacobs receives a bizarre message from a stranger who claims to be his eighth cousin and says their database contains over 80,000 of his relatives. This revelation launches Jacobs into a three-year global adventure to help construct the largest family tree ever assembled. His quest spans all seven continents as he seeks to understand what family really means and how far human connections extend. Along the way, Jacobs shares drinks with a U.S. president, performs alongside the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and discovers genetic ties to both Hollywood stars and notorious criminals. The bestselling author of The Know-It-All and The Year of Living Biblically transforms his signature experimental approach into an exploration of genetics, genealogy, and human relationships. Through his characteristically humorous lens, Jacobs examines how tradition and tribal identity shape our understanding of connection and belonging in the supposed "Family of Humankind."
Genres: family, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, personal-journey
Setting: Seven Continents
Period: Three-Year Adventure
336 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster