Rating: 
Summary: scraping the bottom of the feynmaniana barrel
Review: This book is yet another posthumous compilation of Feynman's musings. With each successive book - starting from the wonderful transcriptions of Leighton, Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman - they have been declining in quality for years. Well, this is a hodgepodge of paper scraps and even raw oral interviews that have been thrown together to exploit just about the last drop of these kinds of things, and I can say that I don't think the process should continue.There are some amusing things in this book and some interesting details, but there really isn't anything special except for the fact that Feynman enjoys the personality cult associated with a zany physics genius. He was an original character and, in physics, a truly great thinker. But that doesn't make every last little thing that he ever said or scribbled down interesting, except to uncritical devotees who live with the fantasy that everything he said was better than worthwhile. Indeed, if you know about something in great depth he writes (well talks) about, his views appear as superficial as the rest of non-specialists on the subjects. Where he is truly interesting in on physics, mathematics, and science - and the overwhelming majority of what he produced on those subjects is already available. I would not recommend this book, except as a source of Feynman trivia if that is your bag. Indeed, I had heard most of these things before - either in films about the man or from his earlier writings. As such, that makes this book the crassest attempt to commercially exploit the legacy of this great man yet again. If such a thing were possible, the editor should be ashamed.
Rating: 
Summary: Enchanting,spellbinding like the man himself...
Review: This book makes Feynman come alive in all his irreverant best,the man,his works,his brilliance,"Feynman-the rough cut",it all gells magically thru this wonderful book.Richard Feynman continues to be a tower of inspiration to millions worldwide.The best role model one can ever imagine.
Rating:
Summary: Fountain of the wisdom
Review: This book tells us lots of things: computer, science and physics. Do you know how small we can make a computer? Feyman tells you from a viwe of physics. Do you know science or just the difinitions? Check it with this book! The lectures on this book surely broadens your knowledge and gives you a new way to think everything in the world.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting thoughts and opinions - just for fans
Review: This collection of "short works" a decent collection, and will surely appeal to those who enjoyed "Genius" and "Surely You Must Be Joking..." The pieces included run quite a gamut of subjects - the function of science, the necessity of doubt in scentific method, religion vs. science, teaching and learning, and many others. All of them are brought to life by Feynman's conversational style and facility with description and coherent threads of thought. As much as I was hungry to hear more of Feynman's thought process, I was kind of disappointed by this book. There are many facts and revelations in the text of many of these short works, but nearly all of them have a sketchy, half-finished quality to them. From the reverent forward by Freeman Dyson to the equally gushy introduction by the author, I got rather the impression that this book is some sort of campaign for Feynman's sainthood. Feynman is very articulate, and expresses well-defined opinions on a number of subjects, supported by an illustrious history in his field and numerous facts. This book makes better cocktail conversation than a collection of works from an already distiguished thinker. Feynman's common sense approach, and bottom line reasoning is very appealing and, short of the Challenger testimony piece (the most technical of the addresses included) easy for the average reader to understand and enjoy. Many of Feynman's opinions may affect your own thinking on these subjects - not really a bad thing at all. The Pleasure of Finding Things Out isn't up to the standard of the other two, however, and that was a little dissatisfying to me.
Rating:
Summary: Feynman is still great
Review: This is the latest book from Dr. Feynman describing his thoughts on science, society, and pseudoscience. As always, Feynman is eloquent, insightful, and completely clear in his thoughts. The book is composed of articles from various sources and gives his opinion on a variety of topics. My favorite: "The Value of Science." In short - A must-have addition to any library, scientific or not!
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring
Review: This was my first book on and by Feynman and I thought it was fantastic. Feynman does a convincing job attacking the "pseudoscience" practiced in many fields: politics, social science, psychology, and laying the ground for improvement in these areas. He also tries and in my view succeeds in describing the mind and process of a true scientist. He then crosses over into religion and philosophy which he manages well, even if it is apparent that he is not a strong believer in God and that he thinks most philosophy is garbage. I will be reading more Feynman.
Rating:
Summary: Our Pleasure Indeed
Review: Those who have read Gleick's biography of Richard P. Feynman (Genius) have probably also read this collection of Feynman's "best short works." This is indeed an odd collection. Feynman is most accessible in the interviews and speeches; least accessible in his "Minority Report to the Space Shuttle Challenger Inquiry." Gleick's biography reveals a man who exemplifies what Whitman had in mind when he observed "Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes." Feynman was indeed large; he contained multitudes. To read this book is to share the pleasure of his company as he formally and informally shares his thoughts and feelings about himself, his life, his career, and just about everything else which attracted his attention. Chapter 1 ("The Pleasure of Finding Things Out") and Chapter 8 ("What Is Science?") are my personal favorites. The aforementioned "Minority Report" (Chapter 7) was, for me, tough going. As I worked my way through this collection, I began to think that I was in the company of someone who has Albert Einstein's intellect and Danny Kaye's personality. Feyman must have been a flamboyant (albeit demanding) classroom teacher. There can be no doubt about his intelligence. Nor his passion and compassion. Nor his playfulness. How much I regret never having known him personally. Therefore, how much I appreciate this collection which I continue to re-read with joy.
Rating:
Summary: Our Pleasure Indeed
Review: Those who have read Gleick's biography of Richard P. Feynman (Genius) have probably also read this collection of Feynman's "best short works." This is indeed an odd collection. Feynman is most accessible in the interviews and speeches; least accessible in his "Minority Report to the Space Shuttle Challenger Inquiry." Gleick's biography reveals a man who exemplifies what Whitman had in mind when he observed "Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large. I contain multitudes." Feynman was indeed large; he contained multitudes. To read this book is to share the pleasure of his company as he formally and informally shares his thoughts and feelings about himself, his life, his career, and just about everything else which attracted his attention. Chapter 1 ("The Pleasure of Finding Things Out") and Chapter 8 ("What Is Science?") are my personal favorites. The aforementioned "Minority Report" (Chapter 7) was, for me, tough going. As I worked my way through this collection, I began to think that I was in the company of someone who has Albert Einstein's intellect and Danny Kaye's personality. Feyman must have been a flamboyant (albeit demanding) classroom teacher. There can be no doubt about his intelligence. Nor his passion and compassion. Nor his playfulness. How much I regret never having known him personally. Therefore, how much I appreciate this collection which I continue to re-read with joy.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for both the fan and those new to him
Review: To be honest, I can't get enough Richard Feynman. One of the most horrible realizations for me is the knowledge that I will never get to know him personally. Luckily, books such as this do much to bring the man closer, and well illustrate the genius that he was. This collection of transcripts and writings delves into the mind of Richard Feynman, and shows him at his greatest. His irreverence for the honors and accolades of academia, his incomprehension of authority, and the joy and wonder that was his perspective of life. This is not a physics book, but a book of philosophy, disguised as anecdote; this book will help you see the world as Feynman saw it. Read SURELY YOU MUST BE JOKING and WHAT DO YOU CARE..., followed by this book, and you will quickly develop a love for, and a deep regret for the loss of, Richard Feynman.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best of Feynman
Review: While I greatly enjoyed 'Surely You're Joking Dr. Feyman..." this book leaves me unentertained. There are a number of insightful articles and some gems, but the best material is repeated from 'Surely you're joking...'. For the dedicated Feynman fan, this is must-have, but it's a poor intro: read another of this amazing man's works first!
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