A series of anecdotes shouldnt by rights add up to an autobiography, but thats 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. Its possible to enjoy
Surely Youre 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 This is a good book for anyone.
I really love this book. It's a bunch of short stories about Richard Feynman's life. While he is best known for his work in physics, this book deals with the man and not the science. If you ever wanted to know how a genius thinks read this book. I never know a genius could be so average.
For More 5 Star Reviews, Complete Product Review and The Lowest Prices Please Visit:
Buy Surely Youre Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character) by Ralph Leighton At The Lowest Price!
No comments:
Post a Comment