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Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) Paperback – April 17, 1997

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Richard P. Feynman (Author)
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Ralph Leighton (Author)
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4.6 out of 5 stars 939 customer reviews
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  • Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character)
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; Reprint edition (April 17, 1997)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0393316041
  • ISBN-13: 978-0393316049
  • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (939 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsAn Open Palm
By A Customer on September 23, 2002
Format: Paperback
A late relative of mine, a world-renowned physicist, once said: "One has to be an open palm. As soon as it clenches into a fist, the person looses the ability to learn and to enjoy new things. And that is the onset of old age".
Looking at our parents and grandparents, older colleagues, and now increasingly often at my own contemporaries and at myself, I am beginning to understand what a hard task it is - to remain an open palm.
Almost no one avoids the nostalgic illusion - in our better days snow was whiter and girls prettier, and what we've been taught is the only correct doctrine. One only sees how ridiculous such claims are when confronted with a different, higher breed of people, who remain curious and young at heart at any age. Richard Feynman was one of such people.
In case someone does not know, Richard Feynman was a physicist, a Nobel prize winner, a participant of the Manhattan project, the founder of quantum mechanics. I have no idea what it is; they say, though, that a new race of computers will shortly change our world and our perception of it; these computers will be supposedly built on principles foreseen by Feynman.
Feynman's book, subtitled "Adventures of a Curious Character", is his memoir - not written down, but narrated in conversations with a close friend. It is very clear that nothing surpassed his ardent passion for physics. When Feynman spoke about his subject, he rejected all notions of etiquette and subordination; Nils Bohr and Einstein could discuss their new ideas only with him - other colleagues just gaped in awe at any dictum of theirs. Feynman writes about the very *process* of discovery - this is probably the only sincere and authentic description of scientific creativity of such scale in literature.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsUnique moments from the life of a unique man.
By Spiff on December 4, 2000
Format: Paperback
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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5.0 out of 5 starsA wonderful collection of Feynman's zany adventures!
By D. Roberts VINE VOICE on February 13, 2000
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This book is a jewel. One would be hard pressed to find a more comical and enjoyable book to read - anywhere. Feynman is the scientist who breaks (or should I say, shatters?) the stereotype of the lab-coat physicist who wears thick, taped up glasses. The great Richard P. Feynman is a testament to how great we as a race can me. I like to think of him as a cross between Goethe & Robin Williams (and I do NOT mean that in any sort of deragatory way). As a physicist, he was top notch, but as a person he was something even more. He had a marvelous sense of humor & enjoyed playing pranks on people. His love of life spilled over to all the people he met during his sojourn on the planet. I only wish that I had been one of those lucky few to have met & known him personally. Perhaps what is most remarkable about him is that he had friends from all walks of life. Many were scientists, yes, but many more were "ordinary" people off the street. That is rather noteworthy given the fact that so many Ivy league-calibre professors feel that they too "intellectually gifted" to associate with the rest of we mere mortals. Someone once said that Edwin Hubble wasn't a humble man, but then again, Hubble didn't have very much to be humble about. I would argue that one could say the latter of Feynman as well, but not the former. READ THIS BOOK and share the experiences of one of the most extraordinary and yet fun loving personages of the 20th century (if not all time). I guarantee it will make you laugh like few other books you will ever read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsNot Just for the Science Lovers

Very entertaining collection of his reflections on life, love, and science.

Published 4 days ago by Anthony
5.0 out of 5 starsFantastic read

It's a wonderfully entertaining book, full of valuable life lessons and amazing stories.

Published 6 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsThe workings of a brilliant and curious mind. Good reading for...

An awesome book, showing the workings of an active, curious mind. Physics - just a part of it. Drumming, playing jokes, pushing the envelope, painting, math, chemistry, biology,... Read more

Published 7 days ago by R. White
4.0 out of 5 starsFunny, easy to read

Funny, easy to read, promissing at the beginning but a little boring at the end. You are presented with filtered events from Feynman's life that seem to be selected to entertain... Read more

Published 11 days ago by Konrad
4.0 out of 5 starsWould have loved to have met him.

Very entertaining stories from a very interesting character. Would have loved to have met him or taken one or more of his classes.

Published 16 days ago by Daniel T. Powell
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very enlightening and entertaining.

Published 17 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

This is a great book written by a genius very funny

Published 19 days ago by jo Fletcher
5.0 out of 5 starsI've found Richard Feyman's books very entertaining.

I've found Richard Feyman's books very entertaining, but I have some strange tastes???

Published 20 days ago by Tod Peterque
5.0 out of 5 starsWonderful

Dr. Feynman was a class act.

Published 20 days ago by Mark R. Clingan
5.0 out of 5 starsI loved this book

I loved this book. A candid view into to the life of Feynman. Pure entertainment that leaves you asking the question "Surely you're joking, right?"

Published 20 days ago by QuantumGhost

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