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)

Enjoyed it as mush as I could

Definitely one of the book I would recommend my friend to read it. Richard’s story is very fascinating.

Hilarious and yet meaningful book

The narrator spent far too much energy trying to be interest and used an unnatural cadence to try to be silly or "lighthearted".

The content itself is filled with a plethora of crazy stories and makes Richard Feynman feel like a normal person who never wanted to be on a pedestal. Well worth reading.

Unique insights into the personality and experiences of one of the great men of modern physics

This entire book is done as a first person account by Feynman of various episodes in his life, with perhaps a little too much emphasis on what a ladies man he is, but overall it both had messages regarding issues in society as well as personal anecdote. It is a very interesting read. Highly recommend it.

Good book. Don’t like the narration.

I felt the narration really took away from the substance of the book. Doesn’t sound like the narrator ever changed his inflections, no matter what the content was.

funny stories

I've been in a biography reading spree and this is one of the great ones I've read. Funny stories and a lot of interesting lessons--eveb if you aren't a scientist.

I love this guy!

I throughly enjoyed the humanity and discoveries on Mr. Feynman's journey. He has helped me to view that field (Physics) from a new and exciting perspective, his travels and the people he encountered were...
I have listened to this book three times, and I've listened to several of his other books as well.
The narrator did an amazing job with this story. I felt like Mr. Feynman was sitting in my home telling me the story himself.
Thank you for this wonderful storytelling, and the story was so good I learned a lot about myself while on his journey. I've learned to stay curious about everything! Thanks Mr Feynman! Surely You're Joking!

Great narration. Good story

I was always a follower of Richard Feynman’s work. I love that he wrote an autobiography do in fitting with his character.

Extraordinary man

Amazing book. Great biography of one of the great minds of the 20th century. Inspiring, funny, interesting, well written. I’m a voracious reader and I highly recommend this book

Brilliant and funny

What an interesting guy! Loved the storytelling. Highly recommend. Going to listen to more books about Richard

Inspiring and entertaining

Loved this book! Narration was very good. Feynman was a very cool guy, of course exceedingly smart, and also very honorable.