Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to How Explosions Work

A simple explanation that will blow your mind

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. How Explosions Work launched in 2016; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   What is Fire?▲134

   An illustrated explanation, from Hardbound

   2016 · its alternatives →

2. 2
   How Magnets Work▲126

   You've always wondered, haven't you? (a Hardbound story)

   2016 · its alternatives →

3. 3
   How We Learn▲64

   The surprising truth about when, where, and why it happens

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

4. 4
   Scream▲56

   Chilling adventures in the science of fear

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   How the Mind Works▲71

   Tackles the workings of the human mind

   2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   Foolproof▲56

   Why safety can be dangerous and how danger makes us safe

   2016 · namecheap.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Suspicious Minds▲68

   Why we believe conspiracy theories

   2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Fake Science 101▲60

   A less-than-factual guide to our amazing world

   2015 · fakescience.org · its alternatives →

9. 9
   What If?▲107

   Serious scientific answers to absurd hypothetical questions

   2015 · whatif.xkcd.com · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Einstein: His Life And Universe▲81

    How did his mind work? What made him a genius?

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Seven Brief Lessons on Physics▲61

    Lean and lucid descriptions of modern physics

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Learn How Touchscreens Work▲128

    An intuitive, illustrated, animated explanation

    2016 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    Wait▲74

    The art and science of delay

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

14. 14
    How Music Works by David Byrne▲61

    The joy, physics and business of making music

    2015 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Magic Words▲58

    The science and secrets behind seven words

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Metaphors We Live By▲58

    How your brain uses metaphor to understand the world

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Energy: A Beginner's Guide▲57

    Understand energy's place in both past & present society

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Chaos: Making a New Science▲5

    Discusses the science behind chaos theory

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

19. 19
    Physics of the Future▲73

    How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Little Bets▲89

    How breakthrough ideas emerge from small discoveries

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Lateral Thinking▲74

    Practical explanation of how creativity works

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Inventology▲72

    How we dream up things that change the world

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Sync▲57

    How order emerges from chaos in the universe, nature, & life

    2016 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Decoded▲62

    The science behind why we buy

    2015 · amazon.com · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →