The Way Things Work
The Way Things Work by David Macaulayby David Macaulay
Hacker ApprovedThe most recommended of 5 illustrated books
People recommend it for clear explanations and detailed illustrations that show how machines and everyday technology actually work, and it is loved from childhood onward.
People recommend it for clear explanations and detailed illustrations that show how machines and everyday technology actually work, and it is loved from childhood onward.
15 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 14
- criticize it
- 1
- approval share
- 93%
Recommended in 4 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: not recommended
- June 2026: recommended
- July 2026: recommended
- August 2026: recommended
- September 2026: not recommended
- October 2026: recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it carries the badge
- 14 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, met.
- 14 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 4 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Clear explanations and detailed diagrams
“The combination of straightforward explanations and clear diagrams reminds me of David Macaulay's The Way Things Work which is one of my favorite books.”
Comment from 16 Jun 2026 in “Mechanical Watch” “What I most appreciated in The Way Things Work is that he gives a complete working description of the boolean half-adder built out of logic gates”
Comment from 15 Aug 2026 in “Seven books I keep close because I love them” “It really let you understand how all kinds of things worked, with beautiful illustrations you could pore over for hours.”
Comment from 26 Jun 2026 in “AI children's books, body horror edition” - Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms”
- Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms”
Inspired interest from childhood
“I grew up with this book - I have vivid memories still of the pages about a nuclear reactor”
Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms” “Fantastic book that really inspired me when I was younger.”
Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms” “Yup it's my 6yo favourite book.”
Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms” - Comment from 4 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms”
Good for engaging kids
“It is a great book. Very accessible and a great way to engage with your kids.”
Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms” “Yup it's my 6yo favourite book.”
Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms” Funny illustrations and good descriptions
“with a delightfully funny Mammoth and a good description of how things actually work”
Comment from 3 Jul 2026 in “Factories Are Just Rooms” “It really let you understand how all kinds of things worked, with beautiful illustrations you could pore over for hours.”
Comment from 26 Jun 2026 in “AI children's books, body horror edition”
Other illustrated books people recommend
The four most recommended other illustrated books, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Way Things Workby David MacaulayThis page | 14 | 1 | 93% | 4 | — | Approved |
| Codex Seraphinianusby Luigi Serafini | 7 | 0 | 100% | 2 | — | — |
| Castleby David Macaulay | 4 | 1 | 80% | 4 | — | — |
| Tool book of a Nuremberg knight from 1505 | 4 | 4 | 50% | 1 | — | — |
| Undergroundby David Macaulay | 3 | 0 | 100% | 2 | — | — |
What people said
15 of the 17 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“What I most appreciated in The Way Things Work is that he gives a complete working description of the boolean half-adder built out of logic gates”
“I've never liked _The Way Things Work_.”
“you'll definitely appreciate The Way Things Work”
“I also remember hours spent in a CD-ROM version of that book.”
“Fantastic book that really inspired me when I was younger.”
“Yup it's my 6yo favourite book.”
“This book is probably 90% of my understanding of how why so many transistors can add up to a CPU”
“It is a great book. Very accessible and a great way to engage with your kids.”
“I grew up with this book - I have vivid memories still of the pages about a nuclear reactor”
“with a delightfully funny Mammoth and a good description of how things actually work”
“It really let you understand how all kinds of things worked, with beautiful illustrations you could pore over for hours.”
“obviously, David Macaulay, The Way Things Work”
“The combination of straightforward explanations and clear diagrams reminds me of David Macaulay's The Way Things Work which is one of my favorite books.”
“it's already great to have that basis”
“I have "The Way Things Work" on my desk right now”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.