Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman is widely praised for its engaging and humorous narrative, capturing the brilliance and eccentricity of the physicist. Readers appreciate the book's wit and insight into scientific curiosity. However, some find the anecdotes disjointed and feel they do not form a coherent storyline. Overall, it offers a compelling glimpse into the mind of a genius.

Readers who relish humorous, intellectually stimulating anecdotes from a Nobel Prize-winning physicist will enjoy Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!. Comparable to A Brief History of Time and Genius, it's ideal for fans of engaging science narratives enriched with personal stories.

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character is a memoir by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman, recounted through lively anecdotes that showcase his reputation as an adventurous and eccentric thinker. From his early experiments and practical jokes to his contributions to the Manhattan Project and his unconventional teaching methods at Caltech, Feynman’s story highlights his insatiable curiosity and love for both science and humanistic pursuits.

Humorous / Informative / Playful / Inspirational

Richard Feynman

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

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Overview

Get ready to explore Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Summary and Study Guide

Background

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prefatory Materials (2018 Edition)

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Prefatory Materials (2018 Edition) Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “From Far Rockaway to MIT”

Part 1 Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Princeton Years”

Part 2 Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Feynman, the Bomb, and the Military”

Part 3 Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “From Cornel to Caltech, With a Touch of Brazil”

Part 4 Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “The World of One Physicist”

Part 5 Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Part 5 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Key Figures

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Themes

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Themes

Index of Terms

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Index of Terms

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Important Quotes

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! Essay Topics

Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!: Adventures of a Curious Character

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Who Should Read Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!?

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Book Details