Classic Feynman: All the Adventures of a Curious Character

This autobiography of the great physicist Richard Feynman should appeal to all those readers who want to know about his private life and scientific activities in detail.However, most of the material is taken from two previous books, "Surely you're joking, Mr Feynman" and "What do you care what other people think?". Some of the "adventures" were already related by James Gleick in his biography of Feynman, "Genius".So people who own these books can do without this one, unless they are real Feynman fans(like me!).Another feature of this book is the CD which comes with it, and which contains a recording of a lecture by Feynman, covering most of the material of the Chapter entitled "Los Alamos from Below". I found this CD both entertaining and very useful, as it gives the listener a taste of what a lecture by Feynman sounded like. In fact, all the book, in its simplicity, sounds more like a series of lectures;and Feynman, in his distaste for "humanities", seems to enjoy "talking" to the public, with not a hint of literary artifice in his style!Of course, this could be seen as unbecoming such a brilliant mind, but Feynman keeps reminding the reader that he has no respect for anything but science(at one place, he talks about finding the professors of the philosophy department at Columbia particularly "inane").Some will also find his philandering a little exaggerated: but he is honest enough to admit that there is nothing he loves more than a "beautiful woman", and who could blame him?Finally, it is worthwhile noting that, if some top-notch scientists had also literary gifts (two major examples being Poincaré and Einstein, whose writings are literary gems), Feynman couldn't care less: he even boasts that he does not give any importance to spelling mistakes, as long as the reader (or listener) understand what he is talking about! However, after reading his Nobel Banquet Speech , I was agreeably surprised with a much better style, which he even admits in the book. Talking about this speech, he says(p.343):"But then I said I received, all at once, a big pile of letters - I said it much better in the speech- reminding me of all the people that I knew; letters from childhood friends who jumped up when they read the morning newspaper and cried out 'I know him!he's that kid we used to play with and so on...'".Feynman seems to be quoting from memory, because this is not exactly what he said in the speech:"...victorious cries of 'I told you so' by those having no technical knowledge-their successful prediction being based on faith alone..."(see Nobelprize.org for the complete speech).

This was a very good book. With a character as unique and unorthodox as Feynman, anything he chooses to write about will be very entertaining. That is the case with this book. This book is a large collection of anecdotes taken from other autobiographies. Some of the anecdotes include Feynman's time working at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project, his childhood and many others. All of the anecdotes in this book are very fascinating. They can be touching, humorous or both at the same time. Regardless of the tone, Feynman's witty and eccentric views and opinions will keep you from putting this book down.Don't be intimidated by the fact that Feynman was theoretical physicist. This book is very accessible. Too be quite honest, there is not a lot of math in this book (save a few conceptual things here and there) so a working knowledge of math is not required to read this book. Feynman also doesn't write like a professor. What I mean is that the language is here is very simple, for the most, and doesn't end up sounding like a textbook.The reason I am only giving this book 4 stars and not five stars is because of the lack of mathematical depth. I had to read this book as part of a math class book report. Since I am very interested in math I thought that there would be some really cool stuff in here but the majority of the anecdotes don't really focus on math. The fact that I had to read this for a math class probably distorted my view and altered my expectations a little bit. If I had read this without scholastic influence, this would definitely get a five star rating.

I found this to be a beautiful collection of two of my favorite books. It collects Feynman's memoirs from "Sure you're joking, Mr. Feynman!" and "What do you care what other people think?" They are put together in roughly chronological order and related topics. My first impression when I took it out of the delivery box was "Wow!" The presentation is good and it is formatted and indexed very satisfactorily. The included audio CD is packaged in the back flap and is a great addition for those not familiar with Feynman's style of speaking. Listen to it first so you may read the stories in his voice!The content itself is highly entertaining, often funny, usually eye-opening, occasionally sad, and rarely slow moving. Feynman's adventures include trips to Brazil, frustrations in Japan, and even prankster antics against friends and coworkers alike during the Manhattan Project. He was a character filled with too many multitudes to describe but with enough adventures to fit two books. I personally got very much out of his curious way of looking at the world and his several moments of realizing, "You just ask?!"Read it and enjoy,Manuel R.

Really, the cost would be worth it just for the CD, which is wonderful. And yes, this is just a collection of stories that were already published as two different books. But it's a lovely, well-designed collection, re-ordered to mix the stories back together in chronological order, and the hardcover binding adds some authority to a book that deserves it.Richard Feynman was a criminally interesting person. He had more humor, and grace, and insight than a career in hard sciences would usually allow for. On the occasion one of these rare people decides to tell stories it's really a treat. This book is usually one of my go-to gifts when I have no idea what to get someone, and I've only heard good things back.This is one of those books, and Feyman is one of those rare people, that everyone has to love. People like Neil DeGrasse Tyson are carrying the torch, but the sciences never had a better or more relatable face than Feynman.

Fascinating character, entertaining book.Excellent condition (pair of facing pages slightly smudged as if ink not quite keyed to page but that can happen in any book).CD brings Feynman to life.It contains the material of the chapters about his time at Los Alamos.

One of the most funny and informative books I ever came across. Written by the most eminent physics teacher for generations. Highly recommended. The final chapter about the rules and patterns of the (unsuccessful) risk management before the shuttle catastrophe apply to every field of human activity, also to our excessive production of CO2. A must read for every decision maker.

I could read it several times! The way it's written you can almost see all the little escapades happening in front of your eyes! This is one of those books that really should be made into a film someday!!!

A review is superfluous so I'll keep my superfluous words short. Richard Feynmann was, with Linus Pauling, the most important American scientist of the 20th century. However, it's his brilliant storytelling and compelling zest for life that makes reading this book such a pleasure. I've loaned this book out to friends with degrees in art, philosophy, engineering, science and business. Each found it fascinating for different reasons. It gives great insight into the scientific mind and what drives great scientists to great achievements. It shows the humanity of someone whose professional was theoretical and esoteric. It also conveys the most important lesson we need to teach our kids if they're to continue to innovate and invent - the sheer pleasure of finding things out.

Richard Feynman und Ralph Leighton liebten das gemeinsame Trommeln, bei diesen Gelegenheiten erzählte Feynman auch gern von seinen 'Abenteuern', Leighton sammelte diese über die Jahre hinweg und 1985 beschlossen beide, ein schmales Bändchen damit herauszugeben – so entstand "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" – und wurde ein Bestseller – 1988 erschien eine Fortsetzung "What Do You Care What Other People Think?". Das vorliegende Buch vereinigt nun die Erzählungen beider Bände, von R. Leighton thematisch neu arrangiert und ergänzt von einer Audio CD mit einer Original Aufnahme von Feynmans Geschichte„Los Alamos from Below“, die er im Rahmen einer Vorlesungsreihe 1975 an der Universität von Santa Barbara vortrug – sie zeigt Feynman in Hochform: als charmanter Erzähler, Trickser und Komiker.Die Geschichten umspannen ein breites Themenfeld, von amüsanten Anekdoten aus seine Jugend und Studentenzeit – etwa 'Radio reparieren durch Denken' oder die dem ersten Band Titel gebende Story 'Sie belieben wohl zu scherzen...' –, seinem akademischen Werdegang, seiner Arbeit am Manhattan Project ist ein ganzes Kapitel gewidmet, ebenso zu Feynmans Rolle bei der Aufklärung der Challenger Katastrophe; es sind aber auch sehr persönlicher Geschichten über seine ersten Frau Arlene, und eine Hommage an seinen Vater, und dessen ganz besondere Art, dem jungen Richard Wissenschaft nahe zu bringen und zu erläutern, enthalten.Wiewohl Feynmans hauptsächliches Interesse immer den Naturwissenschaften gegolten hat, hatte er doch auch einen Riesenspaß, sich mit allerlei interessanten Leuten zu unterhalten; ein ganzer Abschnitt ist den Episoden mit seinem Künstlerfreund Jirayr Zorthian gewidmet, nach endlosen Streitgesprächen, ob nun ein Naturwissenschaftler oder ein Künstler die ’Welt’ besser erklären könnte, beschlossen sie sich wechselseitig, an den Wochenenden, Physik bzw. Zeichnen beizubringen. Während Feynmans anfängliche Versuche eher kläglich waren, entwickelte er sich zu einem versierten Zeichner, dem die Sache schließlich richtige Freude bereitete, er verkaufte sogar einige Zeichnungen und hatte eine Ausstellung im Fakultätsclub des Caltech.Freeman Dyson, genoss das Privileg, von Feynman direkt dessen Raum-Zeit-Ansatz zur Quanten Elektrodynamik kennenzulernen, als der noch mit seiner endgültigen Lösung rang, er war dann wenig später in der Lage, Feynmans Theorie mit jenen von Schwinger und Tomonaga zu vergleichen – in seinem Vorwort betont Dyson, dass ungeachtet all der Leichtigkeit und Lebensfreude, die die meisten der Geschichten ausstrahlen, Feynman Lebensmittelpunkt stets die Wissenschaft war und bleib, er konnte, wie kaum jemand sonst, sich jahrelang in die schwierigsten Probleme stürzen, und ohne nachzulassen, um deren Lösung ringen.Aus diesem Grund handeln viele der Geschichten von Feynmans einzigartiger geistiger Unabhängigkeit, er gab kaum etwas auf ‚Expertenmeinungen’, wenn er an einem Problem arbeitet, übersetzte er es in seine eigene Sprache, vereinfachte es, packte es von allen möglichen Seiten an, bis sich nicht selten eine ungewöhnliche Lösung eröffnete. Diesen Stil wandte er nicht nur auf physikalische Fragen an, deswegen hasste er es, wenn Leute mit großen Worten auftrumpften, bei näherem Nachfragen, aber nicht einmal auf den Punkt bringen konnten, worüber sie eigentlich sprachen, oder ein prägnantes Beispiel für ihr Problem liefern konnten; ein Problem, das er öfters mit Vertretern der Geisteswissenschaften hatte. Feynman beschreibt seine Ansichten und Erfahrungen mit solchen Phänomenen der Pseudowissenschaften ausführlicher in „Kargo Kult Wissenschaften“ – einem Begriff, den er prägte und erstmalig anlässlich einer Caltec Abschlussfeier 1974 verwendete.