Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman (1984). Summary of the book.

by

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman (1984)

Summary of the Book

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! is a 1984 memoir written by the Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman. The book is an autobiographical collection of stories, anecdotes, and musings. Its title is derived from a comment Feynman made to a colleague when asked to do something he considered to be beneath him. The book is considered one of the most significant works of popular science literature and offers a unique insight into the life of a great scientist as well as his thoughts on the human condition.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part consists of anecdotes and stories from Feynman’s life, including his childhood, his education, his travels, his work on the atomic bomb, and his teaching at Caltech. The second part is devoted to Feynman’s musings on life, science, and the universe. He reflects on the importance of curiosity and the need to constantly challenge the status quo. He also discusses the importance of free thinking and the joys of scientific discovery.

Feynman was an outspoken critic of what he saw as the shortcomings of scientific institutions and the limited thinking of many scientists. He also wrote about his own life experiences, offering a unique perspective on the human condition. His writing style is humorous and often irreverent, making the book a highly entertaining read.

Main Curiosities and Interesting Facts About the Book

  • The book was a bestseller: It was a bestseller and won the National Book Award for General Nonfiction in 1985.
  • It was made into a play: The book was adapted into a one-man play called QED, which opened in London in 1999 and won the Olivier Award for Best New Play.
  • It inspired a movie: The book was also the inspiration for the movie Infinity, starring Matthew Broderick.
  • It has been translated into many languages: The book has been translated into many languages, including Chinese, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese.

Feynman was a brilliant scientist and an engaging storyteller. His book is an entertaining and thought-provoking read that offers an insight into the life and work of one of the most important scientists of the 20th century.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Book

What is the book about?

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! is an autobiographical collection of stories, anecdotes, and musings from Richard Feynman’s life. It includes stories from his childhood, his education, his work on the atomic bomb, and his teaching at Caltech. The book also includes Feynman’s musings on life, science, and the universe.

Who wrote the book?

The book was written by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman.

When was the book published?

The book was published in 1984.

What awards has the book won?

The book won the National Book Award for General Nonfiction in 1985 and was adapted into a one-man play called QED, which won the Olivier Award for Best New Play.

Has the book been translated into any other languages?

Yes, the book has been translated into many languages, including Chinese, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese.

Related books:

  1. Poor Richard’s Almanack by Benjamin Franklin. Summary of the book.
  2. Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach. Summary of the book.
  3. My Life — Volume 1 by Richard Wagner. Summary of the book.
  4. The Ordeal of Richard Feverek by George Meredith. Summary of the book.
  5. The Fortunes of Richard Mahoney by Henry Handel Richardson. Summary of the book.
  6. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera (1984). Summary of the book.
  7. Thank You and You’re Welcome by Kanye West. Summary of the book.
  8. Neuromancer by William Gibson (1984). Summary of the book.
  9. So Long, and Thanks for all the Fish by Douglas Adams (1984). Summary of the book.
  10. The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, 1725-1798. Complete by Giacomo Casanova. Summary of the book.
  11. Franklin’s Way to Wealth; or, Poor Richard Improved by Benjamin Franklin. Summary of the book.
  12. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach (1970). Summary of the book.
  13. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and it’s all small stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life by Richard Carlson. Summary of the book.
  14. The Death of Virgil by Hermann Broch. Summary of the book.
  15. Watership Down by Richard Adams (1972). Summary of the book.
  16. Thinner by Stephen King (1984). Summary of the book.
  17. 1984 by George Orwell (1949). Summary of the book.
  18. The Beach by Alex Garland. Summary of the book.
  19. The Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy (1984). Summary of the book.
  20. The Sportswriter by Richard Ford. Summary of the book.
  21. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. Summary of the book.
  22. Get the Life You Want: The Secrets to Quick & Lasting Life Change by Richard Bandler. Summary of the book.
  23. A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes. Summary of the book.
  24. The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins (2006). Summary of the book.
  25. Independence Day by Richard Ford. Summary of the book.
  26. Zanzibar; city, island, and coast. Vol. 2 (of 2) by Sir Richard Francis Burton. Summary of the book.
  27. After London; or, Wild England by Richard Jefferies. Summary of the book.
  28. Brewster’s Millions by Richard Greaves (George Barr McCutcheon). Summary of the book.
  29. Diary of a Mad Old Man by Junichiro Tanizaki. Summary of the book.
  30. The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Summary of the book.
  31. The Spectator, Volume 1 by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele. Summary of the book.
  32. The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins (1976). Summary of the book.
  33. Dream It, Do It, Live It: 9 Easy Steps To Making Things Happen For You by Richard Newton. Summary of the book.
  34. The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon. Summary of the book.
  35. Death of a Hero by Richard Aldington. Summary of the book.
  36. The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss (2011). Summary of the book.
  37. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. Summary of the book.
  38. Native Son by Richard Wright. Summary of the book.
  39. Lush Life by Richard Price. Summary of the book.
  40. How Green was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn. Summary of the book.
  41. The Information by Martin Amis. Summary of the book.
  42. Early English Meals and Manners. Summary of the book.
  43. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. Summary of the book.
  44. Get Happy and Create a Kick-Butt Life: A Creative Toolbox to Rapidly Activate the Life You Desire by Jackie Ruka. Summary of the book.
  45. Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern (2010). Summary of the book.
  46. The Slang Dictionary: Etymological, Historical and Andecdotal by John Camden Hotten. Summary of the book.
  47. Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte — Complete by Louis Antoine Fauvelet de Bourrienne. Summary of the book.
  48. The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Complete by Suetonius. Summary of the book.
  49. Biographia Literaria by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Summary of the book.
  50. The Joyful Wisdom (La Gaya Scienza) by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. Summary of the book.

Leave a Comment