The Way Things Work Now

As seen on CBS News Sunday Morning.

Explainer-in-Chief David Macaulay updates his worldwide bestseller to capture the latest developments in the technology that most impacts our lives. What possible link could there be between parking meters and meat grinders, jumbo jets and jackhammers, remote control and rockets, electric guitars and egg beaters? Macaulay explains them all!

Famously packed with information on the inner workings of everything from windmills to Wi-Fi, this extraordinary and humorous book both guides readers through the fundamental principles of machines and shows how the developments of the past are building blocks of the world of tomorrow. This sweepingly revised edition embraces recent technological developments, from touchscreens to 3D printers. Each scientific principle is brilliantly explained, with the help of a charming, if rather slow-witted, woolly mammoth.

An illustrated survey of significant inventions closes the book, along with a glossary of technical terms and an index.

A New York Times Bestseller

This essential STEM guide for teens and curious adults breaks down complex concepts into simple, illustrated explanations:

• How Things Work: Uncover the hidden connections linking everyday objects—from jackhammers to jet engines—and see how the same principles power wildly different machines.
• Modern Technology: Explore the science behind today’s most important developments, from the touchscreen in your pocket to the 3D printers changing our world.
• Engineering Basics Explained: Go beyond simple facts to understand the underlying principles that govern everything from ancient windmills to wireless internet.
• Humorous & Accessible Science: Every concept explained with wit and clarity, guided by the book’s lovable woolly mammoth—a mascot as memorable as the ideas he illustrates.