kahawa's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of interesting, but difficult to track with unless you were already familiar with the physics. I don't feel like I learned much.
jnieto's review against another edition
5.0
This is a "science biography", that explains what Feynman studied along his life. So requires some interest in particle physics to read it. I was amazed to discover how he had started so many new fields, then continued and completed by others. Also surprising is his lack of credit-greed, his will to help others in their researches (even while facing cancer), and above all his unquenching curiosity. This curiosity made him go to all seminars (what amazed students) and even to use in his walks always a different path to see new things... WAIT!, so he was also using the "sum over all possible paths" while walking to work . :-) Amazing man.
nerdy_scholar's review against another edition
5.0
This biography of Feynman, written by a professional physicist rather than a writer, is the definitive authority on the life of that unique genius! Absorbing, eventful, and realistic are some words I would use to denote its appeal. Most accounts of the lives of famous people tend to be biased. They either praise them lavishly, excluding or explaining away their faults, or simply roast them beyond redemption in the reader's eye. Krauss managed to give a balanced account of Feynman's life, stating both the good and the bad. Doing so, however, did not prevent him from showing some personal love for the American icon everyone loves!
bakudreamer's review against another edition
3.0
Focuses on the science and not on the fun stories ~
indyreadrosa's review against another edition
5.0
I only knew that he had famous lectures that brought his field of science to a lot of folks who did not have access. This is a good biography. It does not shy away from his less than ideal attitude towards women in particular. The author is a bit more forgiving than I am but it comes across just the same. Feynman comes across as a complete person and the history of science that the book takes you on is even more interesting.
brettp's review against another edition
4.0
Finished "Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science" by Lawrence M. Krauss. No book about Feynman is complete without discussing his contributions to physics, very little of which I actually understand, but the author made that aspect of Feynman approachable, at least. Other than that, it was a good story about a great mathematician/physicist/explorer/drummer/playboy.
frakalot's review against another edition
5.0
Entirely fascinating from start to finish. An easy to follow but complete account of the contributions that Feynman made in physics.
mrblackbean11's review against another edition
4.0
Exceptionally well written and insightful. I would definitely recommend!
mikusa's review against another edition
3.0
Kind of interesting, but difficult to track with unless you were already familiar with the physics. I don't feel like I learned much.
scarlettsims's review against another edition
2.0
This gets two stars because I read the audio edition. There are basically two reasons why the audio edition isn't the best way to experience this book. Firstly, it gets pretty technical sometimes and for me, it would have been better if I could have gone back and re-read some of the more "science-y" parts. Secondly, it is read by the author and while he is apparently a successful physicist, not the best reader.
The text itself is quite interesting. Krauss does have a habit of frequently name-dropping the Nobel laureates that he knows, but I can't guarantee I wouldn't do the same thing if I knew and had spoken to several of them.
This isn't just a biography of Feynman, it's essentially a biography of physics in the 20th century. He discusses many of the developments that happened during Feynman's lifetime. This really isn't a book for someone who just likes biographies because it does go into scientific detail. If you are only interested in Feynman's life, get something like Surely You're Joking... because this is definitely geared to a different audience.
The text itself is quite interesting. Krauss does have a habit of frequently name-dropping the Nobel laureates that he knows, but I can't guarantee I wouldn't do the same thing if I knew and had spoken to several of them.
This isn't just a biography of Feynman, it's essentially a biography of physics in the 20th century. He discusses many of the developments that happened during Feynman's lifetime. This really isn't a book for someone who just likes biographies because it does go into scientific detail. If you are only interested in Feynman's life, get something like Surely You're Joking... because this is definitely geared to a different audience.