Fascinating man

I have read in one review that the reviewer considered Mr F to be self centred and a womaniser. I disagree very strongly, in all his brilliance he has a certain naivety and sees things in a straight uncomplicated manor. I found this book fascinating and read well. My only complaint is that the editing wasn't up to Audible's usual standards, there were a few passages that were repeated - as in - for the recording process to be able to be picked up accurately. There was also one spot where the words 'jumped', even when I backtracked and played it again in case I had done something accidentally .

All in all an excellent read

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6 people found this helpful

Flawed fun

I first read this book about 30 years ago along with its sequel and, later, Gleick's biography. I was much taken with Feynman in those days and he was very much in my mind a few years ago when I was fortunate to visit the Altai mountains (and witness the throat singing) that he so wanted to visit in his dying days.

I picked this recording up in a recent sale and looked forward to reacquainting myself with the book and the man. I was not disappointed with the anecdotes, his zest for problem solving and his mischievous sense of fun.

I remembered from before his contempt for philosophy and for culture in general but, at the risk of criticising an icon, this time I was struck, however, by the sexism. I didn't recall this from the last time I read it, and that probably says much about how attitudes have changed. I was also struck by a lack of compassion and empathy at times.

Feynman remains undiminished as one of the greatest physicists and scientific communicators of all time; I was just a little more aware of his flaws on this listening (though all 'geniuses' are lacking in some area).

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6 people found this helpful

Great book well read

A collection of autobiographical stories the Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman. Some funny, others fascinating and others awe inspiring. Expressively read by someone whose voice I could imagine to sound very similar to Richard Feynman.

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3 people found this helpful

Entertaining read

This is such a fun book. So many great anecdotes and stories from the life of a remarkable man.

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Easy to listen

Super fun and easy to listen. In this book there are presented lots of situations that happened to a very inteligent person but also happens to a every of us - that makes all the stories so relatable and enjoyable!

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Enthralled

An entertaining mixture of science, adventure and mischief. Feynman's love for life shines through.

Loved it!

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Great Book

This is the third time I think I have bought this book and never have I regretted it, I only regret losing the others. Feynman is amazing.

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Astoundingly Entertaining

If you could sum up Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! in three words, what would they be?

Witty, charming and thought-provoking.

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

it's not like other autobiographies, rather it is a collection of stories that Feynman felt compelled to share with the world. I can't say I've read/listened to another book like it yet.

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

First time listening to Raymond Todd. I felt he captured Feynman's personality brilliantly and he was able to alternate between a questioning tone (during Feynman's explorations of new ideas and hobbies) and an assertive one (during Feynman's explanations to others) with a fitting ease.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

No idea.

Any additional comments?

Well worth a listen, even to those not interested in Physics or even any kind of science. Richard Feynman was simply a genuinely interesting and entertaining man with some great stories to tell.

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biographical stories chronicling his life

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

It was a load lighter than the factual books that i normally listen to. I will listen to it again one day.

What did you like best about this story?

It was fun, packed with the sort of stories where he looks good, the author is concentrating on the little things while the historic events which he played a part in rattle by almost unnoticed. it is a good listen and peels back a few layers of the onion. I would be interested in hearing a independent biography that is more critical to give me balance.

What about Raymond Todd’s performance did you like?

easy to understand, sounds good.

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

laugh a few times and appreciate him as a person just doing his things

Any additional comments?

A few of the stories are a bit dated when it come to gender roles and attitudes to women today, it is not meant to annoy or anger anyone, but i fear it will.

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great

really enjoyable, such a character and an amazing life. narrator is perfectly suited, and somehow just how I imagine RF would sound.

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