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Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman
Adventures of a Curious Character
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Check link for latest rating. ( 214,672 ratings, 8,718 reviews)
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Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1965, Richard Feynman was one of the world's greatest theoretical physicists, but he was also a man who fell, often jumped, into adventure.
A portrait of the Winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1965, we see the wisdom, humour and curiosity of Richard Feynman through a series of conversations with his friend Ralph Leighton.
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Description
Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman is a delightful collection of anecdotes and mind-bending adventures of the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard P. Feynman. This book offers readers an intimate glimpse into the life of a man whose curiosity knew no bounds. Over the course of these anecdotes, Feynman takes us through his childhood, his education at MIT and Princeton, and his groundbreaking work in quantum mechanics. But beyond his professional achievements, what stands out most in this memoir is Feynman's boundless zest for life and his insatiable curiosity.
Whether he's cracking safes, playing bongo drums in a ballet, or painting a naked female toreador, Feynman approaches all his pursuits with a unique blend of humour, creativity, and sheer joy. His adventures are filled with practical jokes, moments of serendipity, and an unwavering sense of wonder about the world. The book is a testament to how Feynman's playful personality and exceptional intellect intersect to create stories that are both entertaining and deeply inspiring.
Based on tapes recorded by his close friend Ralph Leighton, the stories in Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman remain largely unchanged from their spoken form, preserving Feynman's distinctive voice and engaging narrative style. They reveal a side of the physicist that most people never saw β an artist, a joker, and a puzzle-solver who never took himself too seriously, whether he was solving the mystery of liquid helium, explaining the intricacies of physics to Albert Einstein, or being misjudged by a US Army psychiatrist.
Richard Feynman's talent for making complex ideas accessible shines through every page, as he invites readers to see the world through his irreverent and curious eyes. His humility and genuine love of learning are inspiring, reminding us all to approach life with an open mind and a sense of humour. This book is not just for science enthusiasts but for anyone looking for a heartfelt and humorous account of a truly remarkable man.
Winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1965, Feynman's legacy extends far beyond his scientific contributions. His life's adventures, as chronicled in this book, continue to inspire generations to explore, question, and above all, enjoy the process of discovery.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Reviews praise Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman for showcasing the extraordinary genius and storytelling ability of Richard Feynman. Described as both amusing and thought-provoking, the book is likened to the work of Mark Twain. Itβs noted for its humour, brilliance, and the way it entertains and inspires, much like the work of a true magician.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780099173311
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 19 November 1992
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 22.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 255g
Pages: 368
About the Author
Richard Feynman was, until his death in 1988, the most famous physicist in the world. Only an infinitesimal part of the general population could understand his mathematical physics, but his outgoing and sunny personality, his gift for exposition, his habit of playing the bongo drums, and his testimony to the Presidential Commission on the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster turned him into a celebrity. Richard Feynman died in 1988 after a long illness. Freeman Dyson, of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, called him 'the most original mind of his generation', while in its obituary The New York Times described him as 'arguably the most brilliant, iconoclastic and influential of the postwar generation of theoretical physicists'.
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