Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #108460 in Books
• Published on: 1995-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Sykes made three TV documentaries about physicist Feynman (1918-1988) in the late '80s, including a BBC feature by the same title as this photo-hagiography. Illustrated with more than 130 photos and reproductions of such ephemera as Feynman's childhood notes on science books and encyclopedia articles, the text is mostly from Sykes's scripted interviews and from Feynman's own Curious Character stories. Nonetheless, the range here is broadened by contributions from 18 family members and colleagues. A chapter on Feynman's role on the Challenger Committee, which investigated the causes of the 1986 explosion of NASA's Challenger space shuttle in which seven astronauts died, casts more light on the investigation than on Feynman. The format is reminiscent of the physicist's bestsellers, e.g., Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman , with pictures. Sykes's off-putting calculated reverence, however, doesn't conceal his subject's inimitable, irrepressible spirit.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
This is not a biography of Nobel Laureate Feynman-the gold standard for that is unquestionably James Gleick's Genius (LJ 10/1/92)-but rather a very interesting and pleasing compilation of anecdotes, interview excerpts, and conversations by a man who has made several excellent films about and with Feynman-including The Pleasure of Finding Things Out and No Ordinary Genius. Even for those who think they know Feynman and his work, this book is a rare and touching glimpse of him in his own words and in the words of those who knew him best. A pleasure to look through (there are more than 100 photos) and read and an excellent book for general and popular collections. A browser's delight.
Mark Shelton, Athens, Ohio
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Feynman was a brilliant and puckish physicist, dynamic teacher, charming storyteller, and all-around buffoon who inspired near hero worship in the people he worked and played with. Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman (1984), a collection of autobiographical anecdotes, became a best-seller, while two major biographies, James Gleick's superbly readable Genius (1992) and this year's in-depth The Beat of a Different Drummer by Jagdish Mehra, delve into both his quirky personality and his influential career. This photo-album tribute presents a series of quick-but-intimate portraits through photographs of Feynman and friends and a selection of entertaining and revealing excerpts from interviews and conversations. The pictures and text are from the documentaries independent filmmaker Sykes made about Feynman's life and science. The supporting cast includes physicists Richard Davies, Freeman Dyson, David Goodstein, and John Archibald Wheeler as well as a couple of computer scientists, artists, musicians, and Feynman's children. The main events of Feynman's life--winning the Nobel Prize; working at Los Alamos; discoveries in superfluidity, diffusion, and radioactive decay; and investigation into the Challenger tragedy--are all discussed, as is Feynman's gift for having fun. Donna Seaman

Customer Reviews

Feynman was a likable genius
Don't be iontimidated by thinking there may be too much math or physics in this book. This is not a scientific biography as much as it is a fun trip through some of the things that made Richard Feynman so loved by all who knew him.

I admire the author's choice to have Feynman's colleagues contribute their knowledge of the incidents discussed. In many cases Feynman himself is cited to help understand the situation extant.

Whether you know Feynman's life well or not, this book is a fun read.

Pictures and Anecdotes for those who already know of Feynman
If you know of Richard Feynman's life and work, this is a great book, full of pictures and anecdotes from other emminent physicist w/ whom he worked (and sometimes clashed).

Very easy and pleasing to read. Nothing too in-depth e.g. Feynman's disdain for written fiction, "...I read 'Madame Bovary' once and it was NIFTY!". No more analysis beyond that. Enough said if you know something of the person.

The Illustrated Richard Feynman
Excellent book for anyone looking for a pictorial representation of Feynman.