Title: What If?
Author: Randall Munroe
Publisher: John Murrays
Release Date: 24th September 2015
Source: Own Copy
From the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com, hilarious and informative answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask.
Millions visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe's iconic webcomic. Fans ask him a lot of strange questions: How fast can you hit a speed bump, driving, and live? When (if ever) did the sun go down on the British Empire? When will Facebook contain more profiles of dead people than living? How many humans would a T Rex rampaging through New York need to eat a day?
In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations and consults nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by comics. They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion
So have you ever asked yourself the following questions?
- How long could I safely swim in a pool of spent nuclear rods?
- How much space does the internet take up?
- Could you build a periodic table?
- What would happen if your DNA vanished?
- What if everyone in Britain started paddling on the coast, could we move?
What do you mean "no"?
To be honest I don't think I have ever thought about any of these either but there are some crazy people out there and Randall Munroe, once he stopped laughing (some of these questions are a little bonkers!!) uses this book to patiently reply using science fact and stick men.
This is an enjoyable read with quirky cartoons and you know what?, I actually felt like I learnt something too! Which is always a plus in my book.
Randall literally takes these crazy questions, breaks them down and explains the science stuff behind them whilst using not too technical a language for us non science types!
Randall literally takes these crazy questions, breaks them down and explains the science stuff behind them whilst using not too technical a language for us non science types!
Plus the best part? There is a dinosaur chasing a stick man on the cover, that in itself is a reason to buy it!
I enjoyed this one too! I have to say that is such a cool cover compared to the one I had!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a great cover!!!
DeleteNo I have never asked myself those questions, but now I do want to know the answers! And replies using stick man and science, that sounds fun! And it's nice it doesn't get too technical so everyone can follow and understand the answers. Great review!
ReplyDeleteStick men are the best, it was really cute and crazy inside!
DeleteThis book looks fun! Thanks for reviewing it. This would make a good gift for my know-it-all kid, so she really can know more.
ReplyDeletePerfect for a know it all, thats why I bought it for myself!!!
DeleteI grabbed this when it was a daily deal, but haven't got to it yet. It sounds so entertaining.
ReplyDeleteIt is really good Christy!!
DeleteWhat an interesting story indeed! Those questions are crazy, I honestly don't know how to answer them. I might need a day or a decade to come up with a decent intelligent response...
ReplyDeleteI think a decade would be good for me, several decades possibly!
DeleteI never thought about those questions either! But it sounds like this is one funny book which makes you consider everything :D
ReplyDeleteIt does, some of the questions that the author chose not to answer are crazy!
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