Reviews - What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

I listened to this book on CD but am now going back through the print edition, because a lot of what I heard sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher to me. The book’s subtitle “Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions” is a succinct description of exactly what you get here. The author studied physics and worked at NASA before becoming an internet cartoonist. Most of the chapter topics were physics-related with enough math thrown in to make my English-major aura squirm. I enjoyed the chapters that dealt with earth science, chemistry, and biology. I might enjoy the other chapters in print, assuming I understand them. Audio CD while driving was not conducive to my comprehension.

heatherlevin's review against another edition

4.0

I didn't understand parts of some of the more technical chapters, but I still liked it. Munroe managed to make science amusing while teaching. All of the information is scientific analysis of ridiculous hypothetical questions.

lauriegilbert's review against another edition

4.0

Wanted to read something out of my YA field so I grabbed this one. Been a fan of XKCD for ages so I knew exactly what I was getting into - and wasn't disappointed. Not something for everyone, but if people like smart fun, this is a good book for 'em!

samurai_chris's review against another edition

5.0

If you read XKCD you already know that Randall Munroe is very talented at describing science in easy to understand ways. This prose book sees him taking strange questions submitted to his website and trying to find acurrate and often humourous answers. A fun and educational read.

biscuitben's review against another edition

4.25

funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

sillymilly's review against another edition

4.0

funny informative lighthearted

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