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)

I really enjoyed it.

I especially appreciated that a Nobel prize winner is unimpressed with much of the nonsense politics and stupidity in academia and science. and especially how unimpressed he is with fake experts and his commentary that we should understand not memorize so we can actually use the knowledge we acquire.

Hilarious

Great entertainment for science geeks and everyone else. I’m sure not everyone will get it but it is thoroughly enjoyable

This book is great!

The guy is a Genius!
He’s funny a has a dry sense of humor! Which I love.
He’s from Brooklyn, what more could you ask for ?
It’s really very interesting too!

Inspiring

If you are curious about the world, just read this book. It is very relevant to our times.

Unexpectedly enjoyable!

This is a great set of anecdotes from a remarkable man! Funny observations of humanity from someone who experienced a wide variety of situations. Not overly technical and full of true personality.

Great to listen to a Genius

Geniuses find it hard to fit in perfectly with people; so interesting to hear how this genius overcomes and moves through other people’s judgements. Bravo!

Great story about an interesting man...

I've known about Feynman for more than 10 years, but never taken the time to read his work. I selected this book as an intro to the man and as a test to determine if I wanted to read/listen to more of his work. IT WAS EXCELLENT! A fantastic glimpse into the great scientific minds of the 20th century. Feynman was an incredibly observant and witty fella, and this book displays these attributes admirably. FYI, the narrator took a little getting used to, but after the first chapter or two I actually began enjoying his voice and intonations.

Physics is fun!

Feynman is hilarious, interesting, honest, and straightforward. He talks interestingly about his craft, but the more interesting parts are him leading his daily life. His reaction to winning the Nobel Physics Prize is priceless, and he talks about himself in an interesting and constantly honest way. He is rarely boastful. I love this book! It is worth all the time spent on it!

What a Guy!

The following review will be given through a series of text messages between me and a friend.
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Me: *picture of the audible sale of "Surely You're joking Mr. Feynman"*

Friend: its a good book. i hope you got it! let me know what you think!
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Me: (Friend), I am reading this book and I am absolutely jealous of how awesome he is. He sounds like such a badass.

Friend: oh ya. thats because he is

Me: Like when you hear of manly men like Chuck Norris etc, you're like "that's badass but I don't feel the need to be like them" but hearing about this guy I'm like "that's badass and WHY AM I NOT LIKE THIS?!"

Friend: haha exactly. He is the rock star of physicist
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Me: This book is awesome. I wonder if this is how other people feel when they read David Sedaris' books.

Friend: For sure
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Me: This is literally the most addictive biography I've ever read. I mean, Amy poehler, Tina fey, etc... This is addictive.

Friend: Ya man, I know. It's good.

Entertaining, hilarious, and enlightening

Its hard to believe so much happened to one mans life. He lived it to the fullest and this book is a great read. Totally reminded me of Sheldon from Big Bang Theory at times though