Customer Reviews

Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science (Great Discoveries)

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As a fan of Richard Feynman I bought this book having read almost all the books published about him and his work. I was not disappointed. It's written at just the right level for the reader to appreciate Feynman's contribution to 20th century physics without having in-depth knowledge of the physics. A good buy and a pleasant and uplifting read.

It is always fascinating to read about geniuses and to learn how they worked as a person, how they interacted with their colleagues and what they contributed to the world of today. Feynman was an exceptional person in all three of these domains. This book traces his life and explains, in equal measure in the simplest terms, the physical and mathematical theories he developed that explained experimental discoveries in quantum physics and many other domains.
I studied physics 50 years ago and was just able to appreciate the explanations given so I am assuming that today's A level physics student will be able to do the same. In the book one also meets many other Greats that Feynman met or worked with. Highly recommended. JW

This account is an evaluation of a great scientist and of his contributions to physics, written by someone who knew him and is able to appreciate the insights brought through his unique approach to every field of enquiry in which he engaged. Remarkably, the science is brought alive here in a way that mirrors Feynman's own forte as lecturer and expositor.

It is, of course, at the same time biographical, both personal and anecdotal, without attempting to duplicate other works such as James Gleick's "Genius" or Michelle Feynman's "Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the beaten track". By no means a hagiography, it does nevertheless display a personal admiration which accords well with those of other authors, notably Freeman Dyson: "this side idolatry" characterised his regard for Feynman.

The writing is exceptionally good. I have read only the paperback edition which comes with "corrections" by novelist Cormac McCarthy, by which is apparently meant stylistic amendments to the hardback version, including excision of all semi-colons and exclamation marks (one alone survived ... on page 290 it appears, just like this!). Some of the most beautiful passages, though, have a simple elegance which surely could never have survived rewriting. The single paragraph description on p77 of Richard's wedding to Arline is one such masterpiece.

An excellent work in many different ways, it is highly recommended to scientist and lay reader alike.

This a delightful scientific biography of one of the greatest physicists of the twentieth century. There is a good helping of conventional biography here too, which is enough to put the science in its historical and personal contexts without duplicating the extensive biographical and autobiograhical material to be found elsewhere.

Krauss presents the science with the depth of knowledge of an insider and the clarity of a skilled presenter of difficult concepts through popular science books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I am sure it will be similarly enjoyed by anyone with an interest in the ground-breaking developments in quantum and particle physics in the twentieth century, and Feynman's contributions in computation and pioneering vision for nanotechnology that will no doubt strongly impact on the twenty-first.

A wonderful insight into the amazing mind of Feynman, Krauss attempts to explain his contributions to science in a way that can be generally understood, but perhaps more importantly highlights the style of thought and scientific philosophy that made Feynman so special.

...for anyone interested in Feynman. Inspiring, based on fact and solidly researched, this account of Richard Feynman's life in Science is engaging, emotional, accessible and well written.

One of my favourite living astro-physicists writing about certainly the most independant and charismatic of the 'passed' club... bought for my dad for xmas - happy as - and my best friend (not as much of a geek) - in the real hope for once - I might be able to introduce him to some true genius... its arrived apparently - so 5/5 is all you need to know.... and the contents!