The best illustrated books, according to hackers

5 illustrated books recommended in Hacker News comments over the past year, ranked by how many separate people recommend each one.

All illustrated books

The Way Things Work by David MacaulayPeople recommend it for clear explanations and detailed illustrations that show how machines and everyday technology actually work, and it is loved from childhood onward.14recommend
Codex Seraphinianus by Luigi SerafiniPeople recommend this strange, illustrated book for its gorgeous, haunting artwork that is fun to look at and always draws reactions from people who flip through it. Copies can be found relatively cheap.7recommend
Castle by David MacaulayA few readers recommend it as a book they loved, especially from childhood. The only critical quote is about Kafka's novel of the same title, so no shared caveat appears.4recommend
Tool book of a Nuremberg knight from 1505Recommended for its beautiful book and high-quality pictures of tools. Critics say the online site's descriptions read as AI-written and do not match the drawings.4recommend
Underground by David MacaulayA few readers recommend it as a vivid, well-liked read. The quotes are unclear, and one praises Yugoslav atmosphere in a way that suggests a different Underground.3recommend