First published 2015
Randall Munroe takes on the challenge of describing complicated scientific and technological concepts using only the 1,000 most frequently used words in English. The xkcd webcomic creator breaks down everything from nuclear reactors (which he calls "heavy metal power buildings") to the International Space Station ("the flying space house") using simple vocabulary that anyone can understand. Munroe combines detailed diagrams with his trademark stick figure illustrations to show how cars work, what makes up the human body, and why the sky changes colors. His approach forces readers to think differently about familiar objects and processes. The book transforms complex engineering marvels and scientific phenomena into accessible explanations that rely on fundamental concepts rather than technical jargon. Munroe proves that you can explain almost anything clearly when you focus on what things actually do instead of what experts call them.
Genres: science, art, reference, popular-science, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: accessible-language, educational
64 pages · Hardcover · John Murray