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
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.
Customer Reviews:
Unique insights into a curious and great character indeed!.......2007-09-23
Mr. Feynman is a curious and great character indeed, he's the sort of guy that doesn't take your word for it, unless he's able to experimently verify it himself. Remember, this is the guy that, during the Challenger tragedy hearings, demonstrated the O-ring's inadequacy in-person by using ice-water. He's the kind of guy that believes in seeking the true nature about things, never afraid to ask questions, never too concerned with puppetry or distinguished titles. In short, he's the kind of guy that is an inexhaustible inspiration and guiding star for all of us that is facinated with what science can bring.
Now, the improbable outcome that this guy should end up as a Nobel Laureate, the most distinguished and honourable title of the science community at large, is of course the great irony of it all. This book tells you the background story of this and other improbable events. Be it real or surreal, they are always hilarious, sometimes as a result of Mr. Feynmans highly developed sense of humour, sometimes unintentionally so. The stories date back to young Feynman when he was only a kid, and are told with such warmth and good spirits, that they will make you both laugh and cry. And at the end, you be left with unique insights into a curious and truly facinating character indeed!
An inspiring and fun book.......2007-09-18
Feinerman was an amazing man in so many ways. His life is a real lesson in doing all that you can, and enjoying every minute of your life. Loved this book.
A book you'll wear out and buy again........2007-09-07
I find myself in the funny position of reviewing a book that I never thought enough of to list as a "favorite" or as "deep". It's not a book I would normally bring up in a discussion of "life-changing" books.
That's partly because this book defies categorization. It's not a profound look at a genius; indeed we are given only glimpses into certain facets of Feynman's personality, with only hints of his darker sides. It's not just a book of anecdotes. There is an underlying message, as exemplified by the closing "Cargo Cult Science". On the other hand, it's not trying to be a book with a lesson or moral.
However, over time, this is a book I've read over and over again. And it always seems fresh, as if I was reading it for the first time. His exploits make me laugh, pause in thought, and inspire me to be curious about the world. That's what draws me again and again to reread it. I honestly think I've read it as many times as all my favorite books put together. And I can't figure it out.
great book and inspirational.......2007-08-14
I guess for a grad student this book is inspirational. It gives guidelines on how research should be done, how to not just "believe" blindly others work, but to try and understand it and prove it yourself. It also points out what is wrong with the way we are taught to think, learn in school, by our teachers. It shows how superficial people are in thinking, and how they prefer just to take things as they are and not think them through!!!
Unimpressive.......2007-07-31
This book chronicles a few incidents in the peculiar life of Noble award winning physicist Richard Feynman. Feynman was a brilliant scientist and an inspiring teacher who led an eccentric lifestyle. Although most readers have loved this book, I found it to be boring and dull. A few of Feynman's so called adventures were pretty interesting and had a sparkle to them (like how he learned to open safes), but I thought most of his stories were boring, especially his adventures with ladies in bars. I was pretty disappointed with this one.
Customer Reviews:
I admire Feynman and liked the book, but..........2007-07-26
While the first four or five CDs are engaging and (as Feynman would say) very interesting, I found the second half somewhat tedious. His comments on physics decrease steadily throughout the book and the last half is taken up with his adventures in nightclubs and playing music in Brazil.
The voice talent is great -- he may not sound like Feynman but he reads the words like a highly intelligent 12-year-old boy, which captures Feynman perfectly.
Two Winners Feynman and Raymond Todd.......2007-01-14
Todd, who sounds nothing like Feynman, brings easy to listen to enthusiam and wonderment to this magnificent story.
Feynman, just the single name carries the legend of this Nobel winning genius. However, the real story is the breadth of his interests and adventures. Independent thinker, he could probably have done the Challenger study alone and delivered a more useful product. His insights are priceless.
The other side is his unscientific pursuit of women. The romantic vs the reality. He studies the few single ladies available in the area of the remote nuclear labs with the same approach he took to training the ants in his room to march in a semi-circle and out the door. However, his heart and his science seem to be in eternal conflict in the romantic arean.
Feynman travels to Brazil and ends up learning to make music with one of the hundreds of ghetto bands. Later he sits on the board that selects textbooks for California students where he is a solo voice for quality books and integrity in the acquisition process.
The story is told in a manner that is ageless and suitable for listeners of all ages. A wonderful gift for a young student wondering if scientists have any fun. For all ages the book is positive, inspirational without preaching and a joy. Highly recommended
Book Description
This winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in physics tells his astonishing life story, a combustible mixture of high intelligence, unlimited curiosity, eternal skepticism, and raging chutzpah.
Customer Reviews:
Read this book: it's entertaining.......2005-01-28
If you have ever wondered how a dishonest, drunken, whoremongering, bar-room-brawling junkie can also be a Nobel-prize-winning physicist then this book will provide the answer.
At least Feynman was not boring. Considering how many physicists nowadays are, this is no small thing.
A Interesting Look into Mr. Feynman's Life and Physics.......2005-01-27
Surely, Your Joking Mr. Feynman is a comical and interesting book about Mr. Feynman's life and his passion Physics. In this book he talks very in-depthly about his life everything from his very early childhood years to his adult life as a professor. The book is very well written with just enough detail to make you interested in all of his adventures, but not too much that you would loose interest. This book does not use complex equations or terms to explain physics terms, but creatively words each concept so that any level of reader and physics explorer could understand what he was doing. Giving this book great word choice and a nice flow that keeps you wanting to read along. Through all of this, the book is comically written and tells about Mr. Feynman's crazy experiments and pranks he played on people. Everything from hiding a door from a member of his fraternity to casually moving around the information for the atomic bomb from safe to safe. Mr. Feynman thrives on crazy adventures through the physics world and does many crazy things along the way to satisfy his hunger for comedy. This book is recommended for anyone who enjoys a good educational book, but also has a good sense of humor and enjoys practical jokes themselves.
coolio book.......2004-03-04
this is one of the best books ever. being in Geometry and using the pythagorean theorem, deals A LOT with numbers being squared. with the neat little trick i learned in this book, i hardly ever use my calculator if the number is around 50 or any multiple of 50. it has saved a lot of my time and i am not kidding, Mr. Feynman is a genius. WOW!!! =)
Feynman on Audio CDs.......2001-07-15
I read Surely Your Joking for the 1st time in late 1987. My daughter got if for me at my request for my birthday. Actually I asked her for something by Phillip Morrison but while she was shopping in the San Jose State bookstore she forgot what physicist I was interested and got Feynman's book instead.
I'm glad she made that innocent mistake. Feynman knocked me out. Raymond Todd's reading on the 10 CD audio set is outstanding. I'm buying my daughter a set for herself.
Sometimes, Non-Linear Thinking Shines.......2001-02-19
Feynman's thinking style is not "linear." This is the reason he was able to break out of the box, and make the profound breakthroughs that were his mark. One anecdote after another illustrates this in a most enjoyable and enlightening way.
For example, as a lad he wanted to learn real mathematics. The librarian wouldn't allow him to borrow advanced math books, so he said they were for someone else, someone older. Reading book after book, he taught himself mathematics. He ended up learning some advanced math uniquely his way. Years later, while still in graduate school, he was recruited to work on the Manhattan project (which developed the atom bomb). When other mathematicians who used conventional math treatments were stumped, Feynman was able to make breakthrough using a math style unique to him-non-linear.
And, by the way, quantum mechanics is not linear, either. This was one of the most enjoyable reads ever.
Average customer rating:
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Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman: Adventures of a Curious Character (Chinese Edition)
Richard P. Feynman
Manufacturer: W. W. Norton/Commonwealth Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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Feynman, Richard
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ASIN: 9576211999 |
Product Description
Text in Chinese.
Average customer rating:
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Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman: Library Edition
Richard Phillips Feynman
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: MP3 CD
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Feynman, Richard
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ASIN: 078619619X |
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Lockheed C-130 Hercules (Aviation Crowood Series)
Martin W. Bowman
Manufacturer: Crowood Press (UK)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1861262051 |
Book Description
Soft cover
36 pages
58 full color photographs
35+ technical drawings
1 set scale drawings
The third installment in this impressive series, this volume focuses on the details of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Beautiful full color photographs document every detail of this massive aircraft. Geared towards the scale aircraft modeler, the photographs cover details such as fuselage, wings, engines, landing gear, cockpit, cargo compartment, armament, and much more. This book belongs in the collection of every serious scale modeler and aviation enthusiast.
Average customer rating:
- Airplane Profile Book, but that's about all
- Good photos of the outside, almost nothing on the inside
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Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Its Variants (Schiffer Military History)
Chris Reed
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0764307223 |
Book Description
Lockheed C-130 Hercules and its Variants chronicles the development and career of the world's predominant military airlifter, from its origins in the depths of the Cold War through the present day. Over 170 photographs, many never before published, show the "Herk" in a variety of roles and paint schemes; coverage includes gunships, electronic warfare and reconniassance models, testbed and special use aircraft, and Navy/Models. Close-up detail photos of several variants will be of interest to scale modellers., over 200 color and b/w photographs, 8 1/2" x 11"
Customer Reviews:
Airplane Profile Book, but that's about all.......2002-10-22
Like most other Shiffer Books, this book is a disappointment to the veteran and anyone else who really would like to know something abuot the subject. While Chris did a good job of compiling photographs and basic facts about the various models of the Hercules, there is very little in the text about what the airplanes and the crews who have flown them have really done to make the C-130 one of the most famous airplanes to ever fly. If you like pictures, buy it, but if you're interested in what the C-130 is really all about, look elsewhere.
Sam McGowan
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Good photos of the outside, almost nothing on the inside.......1999-10-23
This book has a lot of photos of C-130s, from the old snub nosed 130A's to the familar H and J models, and from most of the countries that fly the Herky Bird; but I was disappointed that there were only about three photos of the inside (cargo bay) and none of the cockpit.
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What Do You Care What Other People Think?: Further Adventures of a Curious Character
Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacher
Perfectly Reasonable Deviations From The Beaten Track: The Letters Of Richard P. Feynman
QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter
Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman
