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)

Brilliant

What a story and what a performance! Brilliant!! One of the best audiobooks I've listened to.

insightful and captivating,

insightful!, i found the insight to Dr. Feynman's thought processes absolutely captivating. worth every moment.

A collection of unbelievable stories

What a life Richard Feynman lived. We sometimes think of people with high IQs as being very one dimensional. Obviously Feynman was a much more interesting character. I'm sure he wasn't perfect but I wish I had been lucky enough to have a conversation with him.

As to the stories, I kept looking forward to what each new adventure would reveal about him and I was not disappointed.

Feynman

I've long been meaning to read the famous Caltech physics professor's book, which seems to have been read years ago by everyone I know who attended Caltech. I listened to it on audible audiobook, and found it laugh-out-loud funny. Feyman discussed his capers at MIT where he went for undergrad, Princeton (grad school), Los Alamos, Cornell (where he taught), Brazil, Caltech and more. He picked locks at Los Alamos, played drums in a Caltech play, took drawing classes and had his own show at Caltech, and even helped in the development of a ballet in San Francisco. One essay discussed how it was NOT a good thing that he won the Nobel, in that he was no longer able to just pop into schools to discuss physics with high school clubs. Instead it became a "big deal" when he went places and he would have to give big lectures to people who knew nothing about physics. The chapter late in the book about his participation on math textbook selection committee in Los Angeles should be required reading for every current textbook selection committee in the country.

interesting bio

This was a fun book to read because Dick Fynman was such an unusual personality. I had heard some about him, but learned much more with this book - some good and some bad as is usually the case with a biography.
#Physics #Clever #Quirky #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

entertaining and educational!

Great read about the interesting life of an extraordinary man. entertaining, educational, and enlightening. highly recommend!

Favorite Book

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

Funnier than other books

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

Other books

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

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes, I laugh pretty hard

Any additional comments?

Best Book, he basically teaches you how to live a good life

Wish he was still around.

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

Best audiobook so far.

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

Its a biography. I've read/listened to several, but none compare to the breadth of experiences, knowledge, humor, and pure honesty and openess as this how Dick tells his storys.

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

No.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I listen while driving or running.

Any additional comments?

Seriously considering buying 6 more copies and giving them away. Already bought for my dad for Fathers Day.

Fascinating - Double Blind

I don't even recall what led me to listen to this book in the first place, but I am so glad that I did. I knew nothing about Dr.Feynman prior to hearing this book. He had a brilliant outlook and fascination with the physical, musical, and psychological worlds. I love his descriptions of how he thought his way through challenges, and then the results, good or bad, conclusive or otherwise. The narrator had a great voice and delivery that fit the words of Dr. Feynman, as though he actually WAS the person who thought those thoughts, said those words. It's not a book for everyone, but if you're interested in how a real genius observes a challenge and then step by step details his thought process- this book is quite fascinating, with or without any prior knowledge of the author. I wish I could have met Dr. Feynman. He would have been excellent conversation.

Truly inspiring and entertaining

You would not expect a successful physicist to be funny at first glance, but the author is more than that. Love the book and the narrator. Highly recommended.