Thing Explainer, by Randall Munroe

The whole premise around this book is explaining complicated objects or subjects with only the 1000 most commonly used words in the English language. The book is a nonfiction book for adults however it has humor and fun illustrations. Randall Munroe covers 54 subjects and one such subject was how atom bombs (or as he says it "machines for burning cities") works and it covers the various components and what each one does. The book is fun while being educational and has many well drawn visual aids/blueprints.

I think Thing Explainer, by Randall Munroe is a very good book and a very good author. The book is full of witty science jokes and humor. However the very premise of the book explaining things simply using only the most common words from the English language can sometimes contradict itself since instead of saying pencil the author instead calls it a writhing stick which is even harder to understand. I think this book would be more suitable for younger audiences closer to the age of 12 or 13 than adults. However this is one of my favorite nonfiction books and I would recommend it. 

Reviewed by Emil, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library