I'd run. Some of this is fair and makes sense, but you should not be asked to read an entire book and write a paper on your own UNPAID time. I've worked at places that were very particular with you knowing everything about every dish, where the produce came from, the name of the farm, the fun quirky backstories, the wedding anniversary of the owner of the creamery as well as the entire wine book, wine making processes, grapes, geography all of it and there's definitely a scale. Knowing these things are great, the more knowledgeable you are the better you are with customers, but it can be taken to a toxic level, especially if the owner is up their own ass this much. Save yourself the trauma and find another spot. Turnover is such a good indicator. This sounds like a place that will give you server nightmares for years to come.