SKU: 24157885398

Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words

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Description

Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple WordsHave you ever tried to learn more about some incredible thing, only to be frustrated by incomprehensible jargon? Randall Munroe is here to help. In Thing Explainer, he uses line drawings and only the thousand (or, rather, "ten hundred") most common words to provide simple explanations for some of the most interesting stuff there is, including: food heating radio boxes (microwaves) tall roads (bridges) computer buildings (datacenters) the shared space

Have you ever tried to learn more about some incredible thing, only to be frustrated by incomprehensible jargon? Randall Munroe is here to help. In Thing Explainer, he uses line drawings and only the thousand (or, rather, "ten hundred") most common words to provide simple explanations for some of the most interesting stuff there is, including:
  • food-heating radio boxes (microwaves)
  • tall roads (bridges)
  • computer buildings (datacenters)
  • the shared space house (the International Space Station)
  • the other worlds around the sun (the solar system)
  • the big flat rocks we live on (tectonic plates)
  • the pieces everything is made of (the periodic table)
  • planes with turning wings (helicopters)
  • boxes that make clothes smell better (washers and dryers)
  • the bags of stuff inside you (cells)

How do these things work? Where do they come from? What would life be like without them? And what would happen if we opened them up, heated them up, cooled them down, pointed them in a different direction, or pressed this button? In Thing Explainer, Munroe gives us the answers to these questions and so many more. Funny, interesting, and always understandable, this book is for anyone--age 5 to 105--who has ever wondered how things work, and why.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Published: 11/24/2015
ISBN: 9780544668256
Pages: 64
Weight: 1.80lbs
Size: 13.10h x 9.10w x 0.60d

Review Citations: Entertainment Weekly 12/11/2015 pg. 65
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SKU: 24157885398

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4.2 ★★★★★
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A
Verified Purchase
Austin Morris
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 5
Great
Color: 2926 Gold Stainless Steel/Gold Dial
Exactly as shown, perfect
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026
B
Verified Purchase
Blake
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 4
Good budget watch
Color: 2926 Silver Stainless Steel/Black Dial
Good watch for a budget, color is good. The pins holding the link together tend to wear out and fall out. Other than that it worked good.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2026
J
Verified Purchase
JWells
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Nice Watch
Color: 5885 Siver Stainless Steel/hon Dial, Color: 5885 Siver Stainless Steel/hon Dial
Nice watch for the money. I've only had it a week but seems to be keeping good time. From 20 feet away might be mistaken for "Trump Time". The watch design is actually a copy of the Rolex Submariner for a whole lot less money. Several watch companies have copied the Submariner. I removed one link at a time when resizing the band. By the time I got to the final link, the supplied tool wasn't working. I had to remove the final link with a hacksaw and pliers.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2025
D
Verified Purchase
Danny
Chelsea, US
★★★★★ 1
DIDN'T LAST LONG
Color: 5885 Gold Stainless Steel/Gold Dial
Bought this in June 2025, and only wore it a few times. Recently noticed the time was "off" and the seconds-hand wasn't moving. I thought it sat too long and needed to be wound up. So, I wound...and wound...and wound. Never met any resistance in the crown during clock-wise winding...just continued to spin freely, and the seconds-hand never moved. It's a pretty-looking time piece, but don't waste your money if you expect it to keep time. 👎
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Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Geraden Christensen
New York, US
★★★★★ 3
Great watch, terrible resizing tool.
Color: 2926 Silver Stainless Steel/Black Dial
Watch is great, feel heavy, looks beautiful in person. It shines pretty heavily. My main issue is with the resizing tool it comes with. It broke when I tried to use it. Be prepared to buy your own like I did. I can’t say how the fit is yet because I can’t wear it yet. It is not easy to set up.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026

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