"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman"
Adventures of a Curious Character
by Richard Phillips Feynman, Ralph Leighton · first published 1984
50% recommend46% neutral4% critical
Why HN recommends it
Fun, anecdote-driven look at a Nobel physicist's curiosity, play and problem-solving, including his account of beating burnout; suits readers wanting inspiration and a way of thinking more than a formal biography.
Common criticism: Some find it arrogant and self-promoting
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The biography of the physicist and Nobel prize winner Richard P. Feynman - a collection of short stories, chapters told to and written down by Ralph Leighton. Feynman tells of his childhood and youth and goes into his adult life, both personally and professionally.
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2007–2026What Do You Care What Other People Think?
Richard Phillips Feynman, Ralph Leighton
Recommended by 48 · mentioned by 9548 recommend · 95 mention48 recommend · 9548 recommend
2008–2026Genius
James Gleick
Recommended by 17 · mentioned by 2917 recommend · 29 mention17 recommend · 2917 recommend
2010–2019Tuva or bust!
Ralph Leighton
Recommended by 1 · mentioned by 31 recommend · 3 mention1 recommend · 31 recommend
2007–2026Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
Robert M. Pirsig
Recommended by 302 · mentioned by 508302 recommend · 508 mention302 recommend · 508302 recommend
2008–2026The Feynman Lectures on Physics
Richard Phillips Feynman
Recommended by 69 · mentioned by 12669 recommend · 126 mention69 recommend · 12669 recommend
2007–2026The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins
Recommended by 220 · mentioned by 431220 recommend · 431 mention220 recommend · 431220 recommend
2007–2026Gödel, Escher, Bach
Douglas R. Hofstadter
Recommended by 505 · mentioned by 1,055505 recommend · 1,055 mention505 recommend · 1,055505 recommend
…'maintenance' on myself) -The 5 Love Languages (Gary Chapman, made me understand a lot more about how people express and receive love, and the problems that arise from mismatched languages in relationships) -Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman (you guys probably already know this) -The Blank Slate (Steven Pinker) -The Snowball (Warren Buffett biography) -Influence (Robert B. Cialdini) -Your Money or Your Life (Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin)…
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗I highly recommend both of Feynman's memoirs: "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!", http://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman-Adventures-Curious-Char... "What Do You Care What Other People Think?" http://www.amazon.com/What-Care-Other-People-Think/dp/039332... He's of course a good writer.…
on “Oppenheimer's recommendation letter for Richard Feynman” ↗I'm late to this party, so I'll give you two quick pointers: "You and Your Research" by Richard Hamming [0], and "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" [1] Read both in their entirety. You will gain a new perspective on those who make great achievements. They experience the same self-doubt you do! Feynman notes in dismay that other researchers at…
on “Ask HN: Does reading HN ever make you feel like shit?” ↗Surely You're Joking, Mr Feynman is a brilliant read. My high school Physics teacher lent it to me a few years ago; it really opened my eyes and increased my love for the subject.
on “Richard Feynman: Cargo Cult Science (1974)” ↗Autobiography/Memoirs: Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! - Richard Feynman What Do You Care What Other People Think? - Richard Feynman Crime and Guilt: Stories - Ferdinand von Schirach Fiction: The Master and Margarita - Mikhail Bulgakov Technical:…
on “Ask HN: Books you wish you had read earlier?” ↗Surely You're Joking, Mr Feynman (or anything else by Feynman is very relevant) Understanding the Linux Kernel is surprisingly thorough not just in its coverage of the Linux kernel, but also architecture and OS design in general The…
on “ASK HN: Hacker Bibles” ↗I'm just finishing "Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman" - what a damn good book. For a few years, I'd read references and anecdotes and cool snippets and meant to read it, but I never got around to it. And now I'm kicking myself that I didn't earlier, because…
on “Cargo Cult Science, by Richard Feynman (1974)” ↗The book Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! sounds like it would be a great read for you. http://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman-Adventures-Curious-Char... As far as mailing lists go, I also would be interested in this.
on “Ask HN: What are the most interesting mailing lists?” ↗Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman I love this book! Its entertaining, interesting and inspiring.
on “Bill Gates: Books I Read this Summer” ↗There's a great chapter about Feynman's role in the investigation in Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman. It gives some insight into the process of investigating something like this that isn't always apparent in the reports themselves.
on “Space Shuttle Mission Archives – Challenger, January 28, 1986” ↗What do you care what other people think? is a great book, but I'd recommend starting with Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman first.
on “What Would You Recommend to a Bright 14 Year Old?” ↗…Freedom by Amartya Sen - It's seemed to me that there are political philosophies that focus on economic needs and those that focus on personal freedom. This is the best I've read at uniting those concepts. Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! - A blast to read and great insight into the thinking of a great mind. The LA Quartet by James Ellroy (The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, LA Confidential, White Jazz) - Really the pinnacle of dark gritty…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2015?” ↗Feynman has many interesting stories about playing about with all sorts of stuff from picking locks to the Manhattan project. His book, "Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!" is just a fantastic read: https://www.amazon.com/Surely-Feynman-Adventures-Curious-Cha...
on “Richard Feynman and the Connection Machine (1989)” ↗…https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307455777/ Mindstorms https://www.amazon.com/dp/0465046746/ – Philosophy – Tao Te Ching https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060812451/ Meditations https://www.amazon.com/dp/1545565678/ – Autobiography – Surely You're Joking, Mr Feynman https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393316041/ Recollections of Eugene Wigner https://www.amazon.com/dp/0738208868/ – Fiction – Fahrenheit 451 https://www.amazon.com/dp/030747531X/ Dune https://www.amazon.com/dp/0441172717/
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗…bad ideas about fitness, exercise, strength, and health. It lead to the first real (and lasting) progress I've ever made physically. Understanding Comics - Understanding art and visual communication. Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! - Up there with Hackers & Painters in its rate of insight & surprise per page. Fail Safe Investing - Thought provoking ideas about why we invest and how best to go about doing that. (The ideas stand…
on “Ask HN: What books have made the biggest impact on your mental models?” ↗