FEYNMAN, RICHARD P. - Surely You'Re Joking, Mr. Feynman!

blue Red writing on my pile, Vintage. 1992. (ISBN: 9780099173311). Paperback. Condition good, clean. A series of anecdotes, such as are included in Surely You're Joking, Mr Feynman, 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 this engagingly eccentric book. 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, a bestseller ever since its initial publication in 1985, simply as a bunch of hilarious yarns with the author as know-it-all hero. At some point, however, attentive readers realise 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 vigour and verve in his no-bull prose. No wonder his students--and readers around the world--adored him. --Wendy Smith. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1965, Richard Feynman was also a man who fell, often jumped, into adventure - as artist, safe-cracker, practical joker and storyteller. He solved the mystery of liquid helium, was commissioned to paint a naked (female) toreador, explained physics to the likes of Einstein and Von Neumann, accompanied ballet on the bongo drums, and was judged mentally deficient by a US Army psychiatrist. Over a period of years, Feynman's conversations with his friend Ralph Leighton were first taped and then set down as they appear in this book, little changed from their spoken form, to give a self-portrait of a remarkable man. Used: Acceptable.

See/Hide Conditions of Sale

Following conditions of sale apply:
Terms of Sale

We endeavour to describe our books accurately, but if you are dissatisfied in any way on receipt of order or wish to cancel the contract for any reason within 7 days, which period is to start the day after the date on which the goods are received, in which case please contact us to arrange the return and refund of the cost of the goods and delivery.

Cheques drawn on UK only, Paypal, and UK postal orders. International money orders and cheques from countries other than the UK or US can not be accepted.

All books have a 2 week no quibble returns policy. Email us within 2 weeks to say you wish to return a book. Full refund given when book is returned.

Shipping Costs to be added to price of each book.
Multiple items will receive a discount.
UK £3.00
EU outside of UK £4.25
US £7.20
Rest of the World £7.75

We will take the cost of the book plus shipping from your card.
We reserve the right to ask for extra money to cover shipping of heavy books. We will email you 1st.
We try to send books by airmail if economical to do so.
Surfacemail is currently taking about 8 weeks to the US and 8 - 10 weeks Australia.