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jenmangler's review against another edition
2.0
Most of the questions explored in the book were so absurd there that I lost interest. I just didn't care about the answers to the questions Munroe explored. It was okay, but overall, I found this a disappointing read.
ellipsiscool's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this book on audio read by Will Wheaton and it was a lot of fun. I definitely learn a lot of serious scientific answers to absurd hypothetical questions.
olliepop01's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
matildarae's review against another edition
3.5
Engaging way to learn about science with lots of jokes along the way. It being an inch deep and a mile wide is both a strength and a weakness: constant topic changes kept me interesting but became a tad tiring by the end. Really enjoyed Wil Wheaton’s read.
tregina's review against another edition
5.0
Basically, I love everything this book chooses to be. I would happily read it at ten times the length. I mean, maybe not all in one sitting like I did this one, because that would probably strain the limits of my bladder, but still.
Huh. I bet there's an absurd hypothetical question in there somewhere...
Huh. I bet there's an absurd hypothetical question in there somewhere...
bookclubtrivia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
dunnadam's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and light-hearted science book that I enjoyed.
The author does a good job balancing geekdom with interesting and funny questions, though occasionally it gets too far into the science for me to care and I had to skip sections. Mostly though even for sections that don't specifically interest you there's something to learn and something funny to relate to. The cartoons are great.
My favourite ones were what if you quarantined everyone in the world for a few weeks, would you exterminate the common cold? What if everyone on earth got really close together and jumped at the same time? What would happen if you threw a baseball at a hitter at the speed of light? and what would happen if you built the periodic table of elements out of the actual elements? Remember, do NOT build the seventh row!
The author does a good job balancing geekdom with interesting and funny questions, though occasionally it gets too far into the science for me to care and I had to skip sections. Mostly though even for sections that don't specifically interest you there's something to learn and something funny to relate to. The cartoons are great.
My favourite ones were what if you quarantined everyone in the world for a few weeks, would you exterminate the common cold? What if everyone on earth got really close together and jumped at the same time? What would happen if you threw a baseball at a hitter at the speed of light? and what would happen if you built the periodic table of elements out of the actual elements? Remember, do NOT build the seventh row!