Listen free for 30 days

  • What If?

  • Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions
  • Written by: Randall Munroe
  • Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
  • Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (507 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
What If? cover art

What If?

Written by: Randall Munroe
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $32.38

Buy Now for $32.38

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

From the creator of the wildly popular webcomic xkcd comes this hilarious and informative book of answers to important questions you probably never thought to ask.

Millions of people visit xkcd.com each week to read Randall Munroe's iconic webcomic. His stick-figure drawings about science, technology, language, and love have a large and passionate following. Fans of xkcd ask Munroe a lot of strange questions. What if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent of the speed of light? How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live? If there were a robot apocalypse, how long would humanity last?

In pursuit of answers, Munroe runs computer simulations, pores over stacks of declassified military research memos, solves differential equations, and consults with nuclear reactor operators. His responses are masterpieces of clarity and hilarity, complemented by signature xkcd comics. They often predict the complete annihilation of humankind, or at least a really big explosion.

The book features new and never-before-answered questions, along with updated and expanded versions of the most popular answers from the xkcd website. What If? will be required listening for xkcd fans and anyone who loves to ponder the hypothetical.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2014 Randall Munroe (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobook

What listeners say about What If?

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    340
  • 4 Stars
    108
  • 3 Stars
    44
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    342
  • 4 Stars
    73
  • 3 Stars
    19
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    273
  • 4 Stars
    108
  • 3 Stars
    38
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Strange questions, well thought out answers

I really enjoy this book, enough that I own it but still picked up this well performed version to listen again and to have to listen on the go.

The strangeness of the questions begins to pale compared to how far the answer will push the consequences of what it means. Everyone standing in one place on earth jumping logically does nothing, but now what happens? Can people get home again? The challenges in answering that should change the ending of the movie Home.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

For those curious minds

This was an excellent listen for me, a guy who wonders about weird things. #Audible1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Very funny and educational

A fun look at ridiculous situations. It’s entertaining for all ages and education levels. Wheaton is a great reader and you’ll probably learn some things too! (Although questionable how much you can apply)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wheaton + Munroe = Winning Combo

Wheaton delivers the humor and comedic timing with all the impact I imagine Munroe had intended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • PCR
  • 2019-01-20

Fun to listen to (more than once!)

I don't understand all the science, although I am working on that with other audible titles,but Will Wheaton's enthusiastic performance just makes me smile andd sometimes giggle. To the author: I am delighted when your answer is a flat NO.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and Educational

Awesome. Fun and educational. I loved listening to this. I can't wait for part two.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • J
  • 2023-10-14

Perfect Narration

I read What If? years ago and loved it. Listening to Wil Wheaton narrate it made it an even better book! His comedic timing and delivery are brilliant.

When I saw that this title was included in the Audible Plus Catalogue I knew I had to listen to it. It comes with a PDF of the comics, so if you love Randall Munroe’s humorous drawings, you won’t miss out on them.

Some of my favourite questions answered are:
1) What if you built a periodic table using the actual elements?
2) What if everybody had a soulmate?
3) What if someone was rising a foot a second?
4) What would happen if a hair dryer with continuous power was turned on and put in an airtight box? (It’s funnier than it seems)
5) What if we drain the oceans?
6) What if Richter 15?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I’m Glad You Asked

I am definitely not a “science person” but this book may change that. Funny, informative, totally enjoyable - I couldn’t stop listening until it was done. Additionally, Wil Wheaton is the perfect narrator. His reading skills are exemplary! I plan to listen to this book again and I am so glad I went outside my comfort zone with it. A truly wonderful listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mind blowing

Funny, informative. Made me think and laugh. This guy is great. I hope he puts out another book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely brilliant listen.

This has been a wonderful listen both at home and at work. The conversations this brings up with friends and coworkers alike is a welcome consequence.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!