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Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! ...
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Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Amazon.com: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character): Richard P. Feynman, Ralph Leighton, Edward Hutchings, Albert R. Hibbs: Books
"A series of anecdotes shouldn't by rights add up to an autobiography, but that's just one of the many pieces of received wisdom that Nobel Prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman (1918-88) cheerfully ignores in his engagingly eccentric book, a bestseller ever since its initial publication in 1985. Fiercely independent (read the chapter entitled "Judging Books by Their Covers"), intolerant of stupidity even when it comes packaged as high intellectualism (check out "Is Electricity Fire?"), unafraid to offend (see "You Just Ask Them?"), Feynman informs by entertaining. It's possible to enjoy Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman simply as a bunch of hilarious yarns with the smart-alecky author as know-it-all hero. At some point, however, attentive readers realize that underneath all the merriment simmers a running commentary on what constitutes authentic knowledge: learning by understanding, not by rote; refusal to give up on seemingly insoluble problems; and total disrespect for fancy ideas that have no grounding in the real world. Feynman himself had all these qualities in spades, and they come through with vigor and verve in his no-bull prose. No wonder his students--and readers around the world--adored him."
http://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman...dp/0393316041/
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Madison, WI
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Awesome book. But this post is still a Rule 8 violation.
What are your thoughts on this book? Why did you post this link? Why today? Why, why why? Tell us what you think.
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One should never stop striving for clarity of thought and precision of expression.
I would prefer my humanity sullied with the tarnish of science rather than the gloss of religion.
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Addicted to MacNN
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I love it when Rule 8 gets quoted in the reg Lounge. It's like PL members get institutionalized from too much PL time.
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Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Originally Posted by dcmacdaddy 
Awesome book. But this post is still a Rule 8 violation.
What are your thoughts on this book? Why did you post this link? Why today? Why, why why? Tell us what you think.
I apologize. But I have no thoughts on the book yet. I was trying to decide whether or not it was worth the time investment to read. 
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Originally Posted by Dakar V
I love it when Rule 8 gets quoted in the reg Lounge. It's like PL members get institutionalized from too much PL time.
No. Some of us just appreciate context for a thread post.
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One should never stop striving for clarity of thought and precision of expression.
I would prefer my humanity sullied with the tarnish of science rather than the gloss of religion.
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Madison, WI
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Originally Posted by cmeisenzahl
I apologize. But I have no thoughts on the book yet. I was trying to decide whether or not it was worth the time investment to read.
Don't know what the winky is for but yes, this book is worth the time to read. It is a fascinating insight into the mind of a brilliant man and what makes him tick.
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One should never stop striving for clarity of thought and precision of expression.
I would prefer my humanity sullied with the tarnish of science rather than the gloss of religion.
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Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Minnesota
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He's not joking, and don't call him Shirley....
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Grizzled Veteran
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Much-appreciated. thanks, all!
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
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My dad knew Dr. Feynman from CalTech. He wasn't afraid to hang out at the toga party (with a toga), a really cool guy. 
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"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Buy it!
It's a great book if you're in any way playful-minded with a passing interest in science.
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Addicted to MacNN
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Alright, you talked me into it.
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Posting Junkie
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Louisiana
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Fantastic book. I listened to the Audible version, and it kept me very entertained (and interested).
Definitely a great pick.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Teaneck, NJ
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Wow, I never thought I would see this book on here. My sister in law (who is getting a phd in physics) just lent me this book a few weeks ago. I really enjoyed the book and finished it in well under a week.
I didn't read the wikipedia entry before reading the book and so everything about him was a surprise to me. Reading about him afterward only made the book more retroactively interesting.
For those of you that have already read this book do you have any other similar recommendations? When I saw my sister in law last week she hadn't had a chance to find me another book to swap.
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AT&T iPhone 5S and 6; 13" MBP; MDD G4.
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Professional Poster
Join Date: May 2001
Location: North Dakota, USA
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Excellent book, I read it and enjoyed it a lot.
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: California
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*whistles* 12 hours and 6 minutes for the unabridged audio version on iTunes. I'll take a shot and get it.
edit:
and it's in 6 parts
track one time: 2:16:28
two: 2:19:07
three: 2:18:23
four: 2:17:35
five: 2:19:29
six: 34:54
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