Book cover of What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions

Book description

THE SUNDAY TIMES NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

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…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked What If? as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Randall Munroe is the creator of the online comic xkcd. He’s a really funny guy who also happens to be crazy smart and knowledgeable about, well, just about anything science and tech, it seems.

In this book, he tackles critical questions, like how fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live, and if there was a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last? You see? Really critical questions.

This is more a grab it off the shelf, put your feet up, pick a random page, and have fun type of read rather than a cover-to-cover read (although,…

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if the sun went out or if you could create a jetpack by firing machine guns into the ground, this is the book for you. And if you haven’t ever wondered these things before, but are wondering now, this book may also be for you.

I do not think I am spoiling this hilariously educational book by letting you know that the answers to the absurd hypothetical questions in this book range from the mundane to the catastrophic. You may find yourself enjoying the journey so much that you don’t notice that Munroe’s…

If you love What If?...

Ad

Book cover of Aggressor

Aggressor by FX Holden,

It is April 1st, 2038. Day 60 of China's blockade of the rebel island of Taiwan.

The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…

Want books like What If??

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like What If?.

Browse books like What If?

Book cover of A Short History of Nearly Everything
Book cover of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Book cover of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,277

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like What If?, you might also like...

Book cover of My Book Boyfriend

My Book Boyfriend by Kathy Strobos,

Lily loves her community garden. Rupert wants to bulldoze it. When feelings grow, will they blossom or turn to rubble?

"It literally had everything! - Bookworm Characters - Humor - Banter - Swoon-worthy lines."  - Book Reviewer.

Book cover of Everyday Medical Miracles: True Stories from the Frontlines in Women’s Health Care

Everyday Medical Miracles by Joseph S. Sanfilippo (editor),

Frontiers of Women from the healthcare perspective. A compilation of 60 true short stories written by an extensive array of healthcare providers, physicians, and advanced practice providers.

All designed to give you, the reader, a glimpse into the day-to-day activities of all of us who provide your health care. Come…

5 book lists we think you will like!