To his colleagues, Richard Feynman was not so much a genius as he was a full-blown magician: someone who “does things that nobody else could do and that seem completely unexpected.” The path he cleared for twentieth-century physics led from the making of the atomic bomb to a Nobel Prize-winning theory of quantam electrodynamics to his devastating exposé of the Challenger space shuttle disaster. At the same time, the ebullient Feynman established a reputation as an eccentric showman, a master safe cracker and bongo player, and a wizard of seduction. Now James Gleick, author of the bestselling Chaos, unravels teh dense skein of Feynman‘s thought as well as the paradoxes of his character in a biography—which was nominated for a National Book Award—of outstanding lucidity and compassion.
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"This book is half personal bio of Feynman, half pure physics primer - maybe even more than half. There's a bit too much dense scientific discussion to make it a casual read, but it does provide a useful overview of nearly all the major scientific breakthroughs from Einstein's relativity to nanotechnology. And it sheds some light on a very quirky genius."
— Ben (4 out of 5 stars)
“Mesmerizing…a stimulating adventure in the annals of science…[Feynman] would be surprised by Genius, and very pleasantly so.”
— New York Times“The book is a moving, beautifully written literate and perceptive account of Feynman’s life.”
— Nature“Gleick’s narrative, consistently measured and elegant is a formidable work of scientific biography.”
— New Statesman“I came away from Genius feeling that I knew a lot more about Feynman and his play in twentieth century science.”
— Sunday Times (London)“An inspiration to anyone in pursuit of their own fulfillment as a person of genius.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review“[Gleick] steadily levies just enough of the burden of Feynman’s genius on the reader so that the physicist remains, in the end, a person and not an icon of science. A genius could not hope for better.”
— Publishers Weeklythe most touching, affecting, and important works of scientific biography to have been produced in the last 30 years, a fine book that deserves a place in every collection.
— Library Journal" Very impressive biography of Feynman. Extremely interesting book - although with Feynman's life, it isn't too hard to make an interesting story out of it. Good balance of lucid scientific explanations and biographical narrative. "
— Hadrian, 1/28/2014" James Gleick on Ritty! A winning combination. Even if I couldn't follow all of the science all of the time... "
— Ariane, 1/25/2014" Bio of Richard Feynman: genius, physicist, teacher, and prankster. "
— Chip, 1/22/2014" might be the best biography I've read. equal parts awesome and educational/mind-expanding. "
— Christopher, 1/7/2014" I really enjoyed this book. Since I'm not very well-versed in science, I've found that biographies of famous scientists are easier for me to digest, and I do pick up some tidbits of scientific information. Feynman really was quite a genius and a wild character as well. If I could ever understand his proposition that not only can an electron be in two places at the same time, but that the electron can actually travel backwards in time, I'd be a genius too. "
— Michelle, 1/5/2014" I'm always a sucker for a biography of Feynman -- this is perhaps the best. Read it. "
— Thomas, 1/5/2014" Richard Feynman was my hero! Seriously, a true genius who was a humanitarian, a comic, a musician, a husband, an adventurer, a nerd - a real human being. He abides by my basic philosophy of life - Live to Play and Play to Live! "
— Seray, 12/27/2013" Wonderful biography of an amazing man. "
— Robert, 12/26/2013" A wonderful look at one of the most capacious, interesting and important minds of the 20th Century. Feynman's life and contribution to science should be read by anyone who has a remote interest into how the world works. "
— Matt, 12/25/2013" Absolutely amazing stuff. This is how life is supposed to live, and success is supposed to be sought. You would have to be heartless to not enjoy this. "
— Fallenrain, 12/16/2013James Gleick is a leading chronicler of science and technology, the bestselling author of Chaos, Genius, and The Information. His books have been translated into thirty languages. Gleick, a former reporter and editor of the New York Times, lives in New York.
Dick Estell was instrumental in the formation of National Public Radio and served as board chairman from 1972–74. During this period he syndicated The Radio Reader to other public radio stations in the US. He retired from WKAR in 1986 but continues to produce The Radio Reader from his home studio.