Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

By: Richard P. Feynman

Narrated by: Raymond Todd

Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the most famous science books of our time, the phenomenal national bestseller that “buzzes with energy, anecdote and life. It almost makes you want to become a physicist” (Science Digest).

Richard Feynman, one of the world’s greatest theoretical physicists, thrived on adventure. His outrageous exploits once shocked a Princeton dean’s wife to exclaim: “Surely you’re joking, Mr. Feynman!”

In this phenomenal national bestseller, the Nobel Prize–winning physicist recounts in his inimitable voice his experiences trading ideas on atomic physics with Einstein and Bohr and ideas on gambling with Nick the Greek, painting a naked female toreador, accompanying a ballet on his bongo drums, and much else of an eyebrow-raising and hilarious nature. Woven together with his views on science, Feynman’s life story is a combustible mixture of high intelligence, unlimited curiosity, eternal skepticism, and raging chutzpah.

©1985 by Richard P. Feynman (P)1997 by Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A chain reaction is not a bad analogy for Feynman's life. From a critical mass of gray matter it goes off in all directions, producing both heat and light." (Time)

Great work

Feynman presents himself as a physicist you'd want to know. Great stories and truth, I enjoyed the whole thing.

Contrary to most other reviews, I found the narrator to be a pleasant listen. To me his tone was even a bit Feynman-like, making me wonder if the detractors ever heard Feynman speak.

Delightful

Where does Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman! ranks very highly among the audiobooks I have listened to. It was a pleasant respite from fiction. I have found that many non-fiction books are too deep to be enjoyed while driving or performing some other task. That was not the case with this book.

What other book might you compare Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! to and why?

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman is unlike any other audio book I have listened to. Perhaps the closest to this book would be Jeff Dunham's All By My Selves. Both are a series of sometimes ridiculous short stories, often with a keen insight into society and human nature.

Have you listened to any of Raymond Todd’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

Highly enjoyable stories about a very intelligent iconoclast. Mr. Feynman puts many of society's norms in question, much as a comedian would. Except, Mr. Feynman does so in a much more sincere way.

Fascinating man

I loved this book about a very interesting man. it was very special to understand a bit about how his mind worked and what made him tick. And he was funny.

great story

fascinating life story with a good sense of humor. a must read for anyone interested.

Wonderful

Filled with philosophy, entertainment, math, and more. This book should be required reading for people of all ages to understand the need to take life with a smile, to be curious, and to avoid worthless pursuits (and how to tell a pursuit is worthless). Not to mention the math-heavy parts are a great litmus test of whether someone will get hung up on the insignificant details. Of course that stuff isn't obvious, the author was a bonafide genius. Absolutely brilliant.

Fun, smart stories.

Would you listen to Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! again? Why?

It would have to be years from now, as the stories contained within will be echoing in my head for a while. Instead, I'm looking forward to Feynman's other similar books.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Feynman. He's the only character. Introducing other famous scientists briefly was interesting, though.

Have you listened to any of Raymond Todd’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not familiar with narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

This is not well suited to a film. If a documentary: Feynman's journey through your world in his eyes.

Funny adventures in life & science

I bought this a long time ago and kept hearing major podcasters mention this book. Thought it would be a slog. But it gave me some personal stories/history on the atomic bomb. Fun life adventures, perspective on how the people who shape education are fools and so much more. Only a couple chapters that involved math made my eyes cross. But math isn’t my friend 🥴. I even sent the book for
Christmas to a scientist I know and my father in law who tells stories like this. They were thrilled. Obviously being older than me, this guy is in their wheelhouse and a rock star.

One of my favorite audiobooks!

The story is funny and engaging, and the narrator is perfect as a nonchalant skeptic.

Good book

I enjoyed this book, it is definitely written in an older style, but that is what makes it more down to earth and personable. It is mostly a collection of short remembrances of the authors life, but it catches the grasp of humanity and science that a lot of modern writing misses.

A fantastic book by a fascinating man

Feynman certainly was an interesting character, rarely taking himself too seriously but demonstrating the value of sheer curiosity. This book provides an entertaining insight into his life and perspective on the world.