The Second Book of General Ignorance is the fifth in a series of books based on the final round in the intellectual British panel game QI, written by series-creator John Lloyd and head-researcher John Mitchinson.

[1] A second, expanded edition called The Discreetly Plumper Second QI Book of General Ignorance was released on 4 October 2012.

[3] The Book of General Ignorance has been translated into 26 languages and has sold over 1.2 million copies.

Each question explains the correct answer, and usually attempts to show why people tend to make the wrong assumptions, or believe certain urban myths.

The book also features an introduction entitled "Forethought" written by the host of the TV series Stephen Fry.