Reading Series
Under the Hood
Science explained without assuming a science background.
Physics, probability, plants, bodies, brains, disease, and the universe all belong here. The books explain the idea before piling on the terminology.
17 booksThere’s no required order. Start wherever you want.
In this series
Browse all books- 01Science SimplifiedA short, informal guide that connects energy to motion, matter, fields, cells, chemistry, bonds, geometry, and everyday life.19 min read
- 02The Hardest Stuff, SimplifiedA witty, accessible guide to the hardest concepts in math and physics—from category theory to general relativity—explained like you're talking to a clever friend.40 min read
- 03What Are the Odds?Coins, forecasts, streaks, lotteries, birthdays, love, and the bad instincts people bring to probability. A practical tour of why chance rarely feels as random as it is.29 min read
- 04
The Big BangA exploration of explosive phenomena in physics, from the Big Bang to modern cosmology and energy release.Short book - 05
General RelativityEinstein's revolutionary theory that shattered Newton's universe by proving space and time are relative, not absolute.Short book - 06
The Atom UnleashedFrom Einstein's equation to Chernobyl's fallout, the story of how humanity turned the atom into both weapon and warning.22 min read - 07
COLORHow humanity learned to see, name, and manipulate color—from ancient dyes that ruled empires to the psychology of why blue became the world's favorite.41 min read - 08
Speaking in CodeA history of artificial intelligence from its theoretical origins to the deep learning revolution that transformed the field.53 min read - 09
Quantum FieldsThe universe isn't built from tiny solid pieces. Quantum field theory says particles are ripples in fields, and this book explains what that actually means.51 min read - 10
From Goo to YouThe complete story of life on Earth, from the first cells in primordial goo to warm-blooded creatures with brains capable of thought.29 min read - 11
The Green KingdomAn exploration of plant life, from cellular biology to ecological significance in our world.Short book - 12
The Bee BookEverything you need to know about the biology, behavior, and ecological importance of bees.Short book - 13
BUILT FROM BURGERSA molecular-level tour of how your body works, from the 30 trillion cells that build you to the chemical signals that keep them coordinated.42 min read - 14
The BrainHow the American Revolution was sanitized, mythologized, and repackaged into the patriotic gospel we're taught instead of what actually happened.Short book - 15
Sleep Like You Mean ItA no-BS guide to why modern life destroys your sleep and how circadian rhythms, caffeine addiction, and artificial light are keeping you perpetually exhausted.20 min read - 16
You're What?Pregnancy without the polished version: what changes, what it costs, what labor can look like, how newborns work, and how to keep yourself intact.29 min read - 17
CANCERA critical examination of cancer as both a medical disease and a psychological trauma, exposing the cancer industrial complex and challenging how we understand, fear, and profit from this diagnosis.46 min read