The Doomsday Book: The Science Behind Humanity's Greatest Threats

by Marshall Brain

How might the world as we know it end? In this illustrated guide, How Stuff Works author Marshall Brain explores myriad doomsday scenarios and the science behind them.
 
What if the unimaginable happens? A nuclear bomb detonates over a major city, for example, or a deadly virus infects millions around the world. There are other disasters we don’t even have to imagine because they’ve already occurred, like violent hurricanes or cataclysmic tsunamis that have caused horrific loss of life and damage. In The Doomsday Book, Marshall Brain explains how everything finally ends—the decimation of nations and cities, of civilization, of humanity, of all life on Earth. Brain takes a deep dive into a wide range of doomsday narratives, including manmade events such as an electromagnetic pulse attack, a deadly pandemic, and nuclear warfare; devastating natural phenomena, such as an eruption from a super-volcano, the collapse of the Gulf Stream, or lethal solar flares; and science-fiction scenarios where robots take over or aliens invade. Each compelling chapter provides a detailed description of the situation, the science behind it, and ways to prevent or prepare for its occurrence. With fun graphics and eye-catching photographs at every turn, The Doomsday Book will be the last book you’ll ever have to read about the last days on Earth.

Scenarios
- Asteroid a massive asteroid could obliterate life—just as it might have killed the dinosaurs.
- Gray self-replicating nanobots engulf the planet.
- Grid an attack on our power grid shuts down the internet, affecting airports, banks, computers, food delivery, medical devices, and the entire economic system.
- Gulf Stream the shutdown of this important ocean current causes temperatures to plummet.
- Ocean if the oceans’ pH levels shift due to a rise in carbon dioxide, all marine life could die.
 

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

Marshall David Brain II was an enthusiastic American author, public speaker, futurist, entrepreneur, and professor, who specialized in making complex topics easier to understand for the general public. Brain was the founder of HowStuffWorks.com and the author of the How Stuff Works book series. He hosted the National Geographic channel's Factory Floor with Marshall Brain and Who Knew? With Marshall Brain.

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Amazingly thoughtful and unfortunately, probably prescient too. 25 doomsday scenarios for people, Mother Nature, and Planet Earth. Some are quite farfetched, but others seem possible or even likely. Thought provoking and as the author states, "may even cause despondency." Should be mandatory reading for government leaders and policymakers, as well as anyone concerned with what is happening as we speak. Well presented and enjoyable to read.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! So many things I had never heard of and the ones I had were fascinating as well. The science behind each doomsday scenario is thorough and there is a prevention section as well. I don't usually do science books but this is an easy and fascinating read. Also, each chapter is relatively short so it is easy to pick up and put down at leisure. I like reading a chapter before bed. Gives my brain something to think about as I am falling asleep.

[Lazarus Orr · Rating 4 out of 5]

The different doomsday scenarios are fascinating and the science behind it is mostly well explained. The prevention section of each scenario is a nice touch, too. My only suggestion would be to dive into the science a bit more, especially when it comes to atmospheric and climate-based scenarios. Great and interesting read overall!

[Angel Belgodere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once you said I had to stop eating beef I had to demote you to 3 stars.

[Kyle Steinicke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book that reminds me of books I used to read as a kid. Interesting disaster scenarios, some unfortunately more plausible than is comfortable.

[Kelly Whitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Enjoy” 25 scenarios of how life could end on Earth, whether a city-wide or planet-wide destruction. The author looks at possibilities such as runaway global warming, asteroid strikes, rainforest collapse, alien invasion, robot takeover, relativistic kill vehicles and more. In each scenario he lays out the science behind it and how we might prevent it. Spoiler alert, many of the ways to prevent many of the possible disasters involve quitting fossil fuels. Best of luck to us!

[Jennifer]

There's nothing like reading a doomsday book at Christmas time! During the Omicron surge. This was interesting though it seems the author is almost excited by all these horrific scenarios. I did learn about the Peck Dam which is concerning. The reality is, manmade or natural, our world will change. We may not be here for it but it will happen. And on that positive note, Happy Holidays! Ha!

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus Christ, what's the point of getting out of bed?!