Can an extraordinary scientist be at the same time a really funny
man? Can he be a trickster of the highest degree? Well, after reading
Richard P. Feynman’s series of biographical anecdotes titled “Surely
You’re Joking Mr. Feynman”, I am sure everyone will agree to it. Feynman
was one of the greatest theoretical physicists of the 20th
century who got the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965. Apart from being an
excellent physicist, Feynman was at the same time an extraordinary
teacher and a passionate human being. Feynman had a charm and wit that
made the world seem so real, so easy. His rugged looks and an
extraordinary sense of self-confidence made him a natural with anybody
to talk to. This book is a collection of written our taped conversations
that Feynman had with his long-time friend Ralph Leighton. The style of
the book is not at all autobiographical, but we do see a trait of an
autobiography in it.
Feynman was a scientist, an artist, an accomplished bongo drummer and
a marvellous human being all rolled into one. The book is full of
stories about how Feynman was instigated towards science by his father
right from his childhood, how he learned how to repair radios when he
was a kid, how he worked in the top secret Manhattan project where he
even learned how to crack safes that were full of nuclear secrets, etc.
This book is a treasure trove of amazing as well as highly entertaining
fun filled anecdotes about one of the most amazing geniuses of the last
century.
Feynman’s style can be said to be contagious in the sense that you
would love to emulate him in what you do, but which seems to be quite
difficult really. The book is a must read for anyone who has a
scientific bent of mind. It will teach us how to keep our cool even in
tense situations and how to think like with zeal and how to live a life
that is truly ‘king size’. One of the most important character traits of
Feynman that is amplified in this book is his curious nature. His zeal
and passion to know about everything that can be known, to try and learn
new things every day is just mind blowing. Even to his death bed, he
had this desire to understand the universe better and to explain it in a
beautiful way.
One very important thing about the book that makes it one of the most
readable accounts of Feynman’s life is its absence of any technical
details about his career in physics. Although, physics does take a cener
stage in many of the stories that are told, but the reader is never
lost in a quagmire of technical equations that are better left to the
specialists of the subject. This is perhaps the single most important
reason that makes this book readable by a wider section of the people.
The book is a perfect blend of amazing story telling and teaching us
some very basic moral responsibilities. All in all, a must read for
anyone who wants to have some fun reading and who wants to see how to
enjoy life in a better and more fun way. This book would definitely be a
perfect companion in any pleasure trip or to take one’s mind off work.
Just give it a shot, and I am sure you will come out the wiser.
Author: Richard P. Feynman, Ralph Leighton
Publisher: Bantam Books
Rating: 4.9/5
Reviewer: Manjil P. Saikia (A Feynmanist)
[This review was published here.]
No comments:
Post a Comment