Randall Munroe Books
Randall Munroe is a former NASA roboticist and the creator of the hugely popular xkcd webcomic. In 2013, at the request of a number of xkcd enthusiasts, the asteroid 4942 Munroe was named after him by the International Astronomical Union.
What If?
What's What If? about?
In What If? (2014), Randall Munroe presents earnest, thoroughly researched answers to absurd, hypothetical questions in a highly entertaining and digestible format. Munroe serves up the most popular answers from queries he received through his What If? blog, along with a host of new, delightful, mind-bending questions and answers.
Who should read What If??
- Anyone who loves to ponder the hypothetical
- Anyone interested the oddities of math, science, and technology
- Any fan of Randall Munroe’s webcomic, xkcd
What's How To about?
How To (2019) is an intentionally impractical, lighthearted guide to accomplishing a wide variety of tasks in extremely outlandish but plausible ways. Drawing from science, math and history, and combining them with a unique sense of humor, How To takes you on an amusing journey through some of reality’s most bizarre possibilities.
Who should read How To?
- Science geeks looking for scientifically-rigorous amusement
- Tech mavens ready to push technology to the limits
- Anyone who enjoys offbeat comedy
What If? 2
What's What If? 2 about?
What If? 2 (2022) is Randall Munroe’s follow-up to the New York Times best-selling What If? Like its predecessor, it comprises Munroe’s serious scientific answers to the absurd, funny, and whimsical questions submitted to him by readers, ranging from “How big would a snowball be if rolled from the top of Mt. Everest to the bottom?” to “Could a person eat a cloud?”
Who should read What If? 2?
- Fans of xkcd’s nerd-culture humor
- People who love science but don’t take it too seriously
- Anyone who’s ever wondered what would happen if Jupiter were shrunk to the size of a suburban house
Thing Explainer
What's Thing Explainer about?
Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe is a fascinating book that uses simple language and diagrams to explain complex concepts. From the workings of a smartphone to the inner mechanisms of a nuclear power plant, Munroe breaks down these ideas in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. It's a great read for anyone curious about how things work.
Who should read Thing Explainer?
- Curious individuals who want to understand complex concepts in a simple and fun way
- Science enthusiasts looking for entertaining and educational explanations of everyday things
- Readers who enjoy witty and humorous writing combined with insightful insights