Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!
Adventures of a Curious Character
1985 • 391 pages
Ratings107
Average rating4.4
15
Adventures of a Curious Character
Ratings107
Average rating4.4
Richard Feynman, winner of the Nobel Prize in physics, thrived on outrageous adventures. Here he recounts in his inimitable voice his experience trading ideas on atomic physics with Einstein and Bohr and ideas on gambling with Nick the Greek; cracking the uncrackable safes guarding the most deeply held nuclear secrets; accompanying a ballet on his bongo drums; painting a naked female toreador. In short, here is Feynman's life in all its eccentric—a combustible mixture of high intelligence, unlimited curiosity, and raging chutzpah.
Featured Series
2 primary booksFeynman is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 1985 with contributions by Richard P. Feynman, Микола Климчук, and Ralph Leighton.
Reviews with the most likes.
I really enjoyed the first half of this book and the final chapter. The second half is a bit dull and comes off as a little humble bragging. I'm sure this is unintended.
I like the quirky stream of consciousness thinking. It enjoyed reading someone think a similar way to me and be eclectic and rational.
I find Feynman a fascinated character we can all learn from. But, objectively as a book this isn't the best but I would still highly recommend it.
Wonderful insight into the doings and thinking of Richard Feynman's life. Loved the book and is one of my top favorites of all time :)
Fantastic introduction to the mind of an incredible man. Obviously a genius, with outstanding achievments in the world of physics (think project Manhattan) and yet laid back and quirky as fuck (look up him playing “Orange Juice” on youtube - you'd think he belongs in Asylum).
Of particular interest is the fact he spent some time at UFRJ, a university I went to for a while as well. His take on it couldn't be more accurate, that Brazilians were not taught to think, they were taught to remember facts. Sad, and a trait that I see in many countries far and wide.
(Just thought of his experiments with ants! In fact, I always think of it!)
Reads like a conversation, like having a beer with the most interesting person you've ever met.
One of the very few 5 star reviews I give. The single best autobiography I have ever read. It's really just a collection of autobiographical anecdotes but manages to be very funny, informative and inspiring all at once.
Anyone who loves science, skepticism or witty humor will absolutely love this book.
