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Editorial Reviews Amazon.com A series of anecdotes shouldn't by rights add up to an autobiography, but that's just one of the many pieces of received wisdom that Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman (1918-88) cheerfully ignores in his engagingly eccentric book, a bestseller ever since its initial publication in 1985. Fiercely independent (read the chapter entitled "Judging Books by Their Covers"), intolerant of stupidity even when it comes packaged as high intellectualism (check out "Is Electricity Fire?"), unafraid to offend (see "You Just Ask Them?"), Feynman informs by entertaining. It's possible to enjoy Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman simply as a bunch of hilarious yarns with the smart-alecky author as know-it-all hero. At some point, however, attentive readers realize that underneath all the merriment simmers a running commentary on what constitutes authentic knowledge: learning by understanding, not by rote; refusal to give up on seemingly insoluble problems; and total disrespect for fancy ideas that have no grounding in the real world. Feynman himself had all these qualities in spades, and they come through with vigor and verve in his no-bull prose. No wonder his students--and readers around the world--adored him. --Wendy Smith New York Times Book Review Proves once again that it is possible to laugh out loud and scratch your head at the same time. Book Description The outrageous exploits of one of this century's greatest scientific minds and a legendary American original. In this phenomenal national bestseller, the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard P. Feynman recounts in his inimitable voice his adventures trading ideas on atomic physics with Einstein and Bohr and ideas on gambling with Nick the Greek, painting a naked female toreador, accompanying a ballet on his bongo drums and much else of an eyebrow-raising and hilarious nature. A New York Times bestseller; more than 500,000 copies sold.
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This is probably the first Feynman book you should read, and it is indeed a book that anyone interested in science with a touch of good humour MUST read. While I am definitely not a fan of those "just read it" reviews, if you are still questioning if Feynman's thoughts are worth your money, I have to say "think no more, and go for it" I strongly suggest getting "What do you care what other people think"? in the same amazon order so you can read it right after. It is a book which basically shares the same type of structure, but includes more thoughts on Feynman's youth, and a more emotional story about his first wife Arlene. Both titles are full of wisdom and fun. A good 3 rd title is "Most of the good stuff". It might be useful to mention that these titles often appear to have no chronological order, and the new Feynman reader might be left somewhat confused about when and why the events where happening. That is why you should also get the excellent biography of Feynman, "Genius", by James Gleick, which will definitely solve that problem. For those who are worried about any massive amount of math and physics, fear not. That is obviously part of Feynman's work, but it is not essential for the books I mentioned. (But it is true that knowledge of the 2 subjects will probably make some thoughts more understandable. When it comes to math I often know what Feynman is talking about, as I had several years of nasty math classes in college, but when he is lost in his world of high physics, I am often left scratching my head...) Unique moments from the life of a unique man. Highly recommended!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
One of the most famous science books of our time, the phenomenal national bestseller that, "buzzes with energy, anecdote and life. It almost makes you want to become a physicist." Compare with the Chicago Sun Times quoted on the first page announcing, "Hilarious, exhilarating..." and the Detroit Free Press echoing, "If a single book can shatter the stereotype of the stuffy scientist, this may be the one." Now, the first publication is a science magazine of some good reputation who caters to people who could charitably be called "eggheads." The fact that these people consider something funny is one thing but the fact that the mainstream press can consider the same book funny when the only science they've whiffed in the last 3 decades of their lives is from the general university requirement they barely passed as a freshman on their way to get some kind of liberal arts degree. Now consider that this book is a national bestseller many times over, has spawned multiple editions and re-printings, and a variety of sequels--one can only assume that Feynman has touched a chord in the mainstream population as well (at least the book-reading mainstream population). What can this possibly mean to the business reader? Two things. First, that it is possible for really smart people working in extremely esoteric fields to have a profound effect on an astonishingly broad cross-section of people. This is very important to any executive who is 1) probably far more educated than the majority of people in his industry, 2) can seem very forbidding due to his rank in the company, and 3) who is constantly challenged with trying to figure out how to motivate the office proletariat that is in truth the heart and soul of any company. Just look at the shelves in any business section in any bookstore and you see all kinds of those weird books with numbered laws blaring out anecdotes that are really some sort of pacifying opiate to placate the rebellious and discontented who dwell in cubicles. And as the anecdote goes, if any of these books had the real answer would there be so many of them? That leads us to the second point: what this book is about is LIFE. It is about a person who is going about living exactly the kind of LIFE that everyone wishes in their head to lead. But he does it. And best, by his LIVING he positively affects those around him in to living as well. Now, the business books try and talk about business but what better way to motivate people than by talking about their LIFE? Not only is this a lesson in motivation through example and action for any executive but it is also a guidebook about how the executive should go forth in his career. Feynman very casually shatters notions of immutable laws in society and business. He tramples over social mores and niceties like an elephant in a flower garden. He blithely breaks procedural laws and office political codes with the same aplomb that he creates new laws in quantum mechanics out of the ashes of standard particle physics. Feynman is a model for the business executive who feels trapped by politics, by procedures, or by industry. He will teach you how to perceive your job and place in the world in such a way that you'll either change your job or change jobs--change your company or change the industry. For all the weirdo business books that strive to tell you how to keep objectives, higher level goals, and mission statements in mind it is a physicist--Feynman--that shows you how to do it. And makes you laugh along the way. All in a 346 page book that you can probably finish on a plane flight to one of those stupid summit meetings in Chicago or some other metropolis. READ MORE AT INCHOATUS.COM Was this review helpful to you?
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A great book for students and professionals alike!!!, June 7, 1999
A glimpse into the colorful life of a brilliant man, August 5, 2004
