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Summary: a reluctant reader converted
Review: i have seen this book for lots of time, but did not think that it will suit me. but last xmas, i bought it anyway, and found it a VERY INTERESTING READ, and will suit JUST ANYONE. i will now look for the other feynman stuff...if u r in doubt this book is for you or not, belive me, it is. (just as i once doubt harry potter, now i love them all). 70+ reviews, i did not want to bore u with more opinions... ;-)
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Summary: Genius and the ordinary man
Review: This book makes you realize all at once that "even Dick Feynman puts his pants on one leg at a time", unless of course he has figured out a different way to do it. This book captures the oddity and the humanity of one of the great minds of our century. From his first scientific presentation in a room containing the Who's Who of physics to the death of his first wife at a young age, this book makes you feel as if you know Feynman. This book is not only for physicists, it is for people curious about the life and times of a thoughtful man or just looking for a good, entertaining read. It is light hearted, fun, quickwitted and hilarious. I found my self laughing out loud and scratching my head all at the same time. It is also written in many short chapters, which makes it an easy read. Perfect for a vacation or a night stand!
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Summary: Absolutely Brilliant! (Entertaining, too!)
Review: This book is so entertaining, so wonderfully written, and so full of inspiration that I read all 300-odd pages of it in two sittings. Each story has a character of its own, and has at least two GREAT, truly memorable lines. The most redeeming quality (and there are many!) of this book is Feynman's humility. Not once does he come off as arrogant, full of himself, or even really aware of his own genius. An absolutely fantastic book. I'll be reading it again.
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Summary: Unique moments from the life of a unique man.
Review: It is not often that you see a Nobel-winner physicist behaving the way Feynman did, with such humour mixed with an obviously enormous amount of knowledge. Feynman was no ordinary physicist and no ordinary citizen, a rebel who could not be forced to behave like many around him. 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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Summary: Best book I've ever read
Review: This is the best book I've ever read. It is not only very funny, but gives you a lot of wisdom and insights.
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Summary: Riotously funny from an outstanding scientist!
Review: Dr. Feynman is definitely someone who I would have liked to have had for a teacher and as a friend. His unique vision of the world, and his proprensity for practical joke playing as a means to teach others are right up my alley. This was one of the smartest people who ever lived, because intelligence lies not just in the ability to do something like physics well, but in the ability to convey how interesting it is to students, to encourage others, to solve problems, and do all of this with a sense of humor. Howard Gardner talks a lot about multiple intelligences. This was a man who was larger than life, and displayed more intelligences in one person than he actually had a right too! It is too bad that he wasn't appreciated in life as he has been after his death. In science sections of bookstores you can see how popular his writings and information about him has become. The book is given a four mainly because the format is dry. It does not detract from the subject matter, at least not in my view. Were that more scientists were able to view their lives and their work with a sense of humor. Another thing, is that Feynman was courageous enough to stand up to others when he knew something was wrong. A truely admirable man, in spite of his flaws. ...
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Summary: What Fun!
Review: Okay, the man had/has a cult of personality, and he was flawed. Aren't we all? Fact is he was one of the greatest minds of the century and he had a unique and sometimes uncompromising view of the world. I picked this book up by chance, and now I'm reading about chaos theory, subatomic particles, quarks. The man had a way of convincing people that these things were not and should not be beyond them. The stories in this book point out his humor, his desire to teach and learn and his showmanship. A curious character indeed. Read it!
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Summary: One of the funniest books I have ever read
Review: This is a great book, for both geeks AND non-geeks. It explores the exciting life of Richard Feynman, one of the greatest physicists of the century. But this book is not about physics, rather it tells you how interesting of a life a physicist can have. It has stories of how the author got girls, tricked and joked on friends with his wits, did stupid things at formal occasions, and blabbered about many parts of the government and other recognized systems. I definitely recommend this book to those thinking about a career in research science like I am. It gave me the impression that being a scientist doesn't necessarily make you stay in a white lab coat all day talking geek-talk. On the contrary, you can still have a life. It confirmed my want to pursue and education and career in research chemistry. As for non-geeks, you'll get a good laugh about the interesting character of Feynman, without needing any knowledge of math or science to read the book (though there are about 1 or 2 jokes that somewhat relate to math).
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Summary: A fun book for an intellectual to read
Review: I enjoyed this book immensely. Now I wish I had studied physics!
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Summary: This explains why I now study physics.
Review: Several years back, I was an economics major, sniffing around in math and physics sections in the library when I had spare time or exams are over. Then I picked it up (it was blue-covered then). A few hours later, I was at a college book shop and I bought this book without giving a second thought! It didn't stop me there. I am a physics major now. I got into college in 1994. That's when Hawking's sensational (though not understandable) Brief History of Time was sweeping through every intellectual discussion and everyone had this weird fantasy about physics. But it wasn't persuasive enough and physics to me was still an esoteric, dry, and boring sort of field. Feynman showed this is not true. (Now I realize it is indeed dry, if not esoteric and boring.) Though thoroughly entertaining, this book is rather weak on the sort of frustrations that all the participating scientists in the bomb-making project seemed to have undergone. Plus, contrary to your hope, Feynman was not really a nice man. A good biography on him is done by a physics historian, Jagdish Mehra. I am compelled to add that James Gleick's Genius does no more than reproducing stories already told by Feynman himself right in this book.
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