Richard Feynman was quite a character. early in his career he was part of the Manhattan project where he worked to develop the atomic bomb. You may have seen him explaining why the Challenger blew up using a rubber band and ice water. This book is full of stories of his life. He tells about fixing radios as a kid, faking Italian, learning Portuguese, receiving the nobel prize, becoming a safe cracker, and many many other stories.

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Amazon's Description
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

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Customer Reviews

He's a magician from first to last
I can't really add much to the hundreds of reviews already posted but to say one thing in response to a common criticism I've read. Many have criticized this book for its poor writing style. This would be a valid critique - if Feynman had actually sat down and written it. Nearly the entire book is transcript from a series of taped conversations between Feynman and a friend, and the effect is amazing. Enjoy!

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A Brilliant Book by a Brilliant Man
"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" is simply one of the best books I've read. It's funny, witty, informative, and interesting. But most of all, it's entertaining.

Despite my utter infatuation with this book, I believe a "Reader Beware" is in order: To truly enjoy this book, I would suggest that you have at least some interest in science. Feynman's antics aren't difficult to understand, but if you don't like science, you might feel a bit on the outside of some inside jokes.

As for the accusations regarding Feynman's arrogance, they're not unfounded. But it boils down to this: a smart guy poking fun at some dumber guys. I found it funny. Some people don't. If you've never giggled in class when someone gave a really dumb answer to a question, you may not enjoy this book.

Overall, "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" is an excellent piece of literature. It's an incredibly fun read.

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Brilliant But Insufferable Guy
I'm in the camp that believes Feynman was a brilliant scientist but somewhat of a jerk. His practical jokes, though perhaps brilliantly conceived, were often hurtful and arrogant. His stories about his bar-hopping and womanizing lack credibility. I'm not impressed that he knew how to play bongo drums -- who doesn't? And then there are his "cultural" pursuits. I know other scientific types who look down on the arts and believe they are easy. As a result, we get a lot of scientists who think they can write, compose or play music, do art, write poetry, etc., when, in fact, they are usually embarassingly terrible at those things. Feynman is guilty of that; his prose is mundane and cliched. Where was his editor? On the other hand, I was very impressed by Feynman's passion for correct learning, that is, to make sure you UNDERSTAND something, not just rely on rote. That's valuable. Ditto for his belief that if a person does not live up to another person's expectations, it's the fault of the person who set the expectations too high, not the person who failed to meet them. I enjoyed the vignettes of other great thinkers. I appreciated his plea for total intellectual honesty in all endeavors. And although I think Feynman was a wiseacre, I have to admit that he had me laughing in a few places. I believe Feynman was a great man -- perhaps more accurately, a great nerd. I'm glad I read the book, but in its entirety, I would have to say it merits only three stars.

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