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A review by bloomingpear
What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions by Randall Munroe
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
First off, let me say that I will read and wholeheartedly enjoy anything by Randall Munroe. So maybe this is a little biased, but I loved it.
The writing style is just as delightful, friendly, and irreverent as ever. I laughed out loud regularly, and a few times said "WHAT" out loud. You can enjoy it as-is and try to lightly absorb the really quite sophisticated science covered, or use it as a springboard to go down the many, many rabbit holes of knowledge Randall points you at (and clearly went down himself). I also appreciate that the questions from younger kids were answered with clear, age-appropriate metaphors and language. Science communication at its best!
It is a lot of information, so it may be better enjoyed in bite size pieces of a few questions at a time. Also, fair warning: I feel like this book had slightly more gross-out questions than the previous book, concerning blood, saliva, and the like. (And that's kind of saying a lot - I'm looking at you, mole of moles.)
All in all, What If? 2 is informative, light-hearted, and endlessly curious - in other words, my favorite kind of book.
The writing style is just as delightful, friendly, and irreverent as ever. I laughed out loud regularly, and a few times said "WHAT" out loud. You can enjoy it as-is and try to lightly absorb the really quite sophisticated science covered, or use it as a springboard to go down the many, many rabbit holes of knowledge Randall points you at (and clearly went down himself). I also appreciate that the questions from younger kids were answered with clear, age-appropriate metaphors and language. Science communication at its best!
It is a lot of information, so it may be better enjoyed in bite size pieces of a few questions at a time. Also, fair warning: I feel like this book had slightly more gross-out questions than the previous book, concerning blood, saliva, and the like. (And that's kind of saying a lot - I'm looking at you, mole of moles.)
All in all, What If? 2 is informative, light-hearted, and endlessly curious - in other words, my favorite kind of book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Medical content