Customer Reviews
Complementing "Surely you're Joking" - By: Erik Norgaard, 17 Feb 2007 
This book is not as amusing as the "Surely you're joking" books. The book is a collection of letters & provides a good complement to the other books as they tell Mr. Feynman's thoughtsin the moment & notin retrospect.
One amusing coincidence is that Mr. Feynman wrote from Greece about an ancient machine that nobody knew what was. It is known as the Antikythera Mechanism, & the mystery was solved the same week as I read that letter. It is an astronomical clock.
Another Feynman gem! - By: mint imperials, 22 Feb 2006 
Anyone who has ever read any Feynman before will know to expect his letters to be filled with humour, wit, genius & above all a passion for what he did, & they will not be disappointed! Although being Feynman the theme of the book never strays too far from science, being a collaboration of letters to everyone & anyone from personal correspondence with family & friends, to letters to journalists, colleagues & devoted fans, this book I think gives more of a picture of what Feynman was really likein what he thought about many different topics & his approach to difficult decisions & situations. I revelledin the chapter about his Nobel Prize - hearing about the modesty & anti-honours attitude of such a genius was humbling to say the least. Along with the usual stories of safe - cracking for fun, playing the bongos & generally being a down to earth yet amazing person, as with anything Feynman, this book is utterly inspiring & impossibly hard to put down.
Feynman in his own words - By: , 26 Jun 2005 A must for Feynman fans!
An excellent book despite its appearance! It is fascinating to watch the development of R.P.F.s personality & confidence (compare his early letters to his 1st wife with his letters to his last). Having said that there are two letters to Arline (1st wife)that brought tears to this reviewers eye.
It is also an insight into the sort of demands on a famous scientist, with many & varying people & organisations wanting your opinion & approval / sanction. The letters after his receiving the Nobel prize are worth the price of the book alone.
Although the corespondence has been edited by his daughter it doesn't always strive to put R.P.F.in a good light.(But letters from his other amours are missing.)
Altogether a really enjoyable read & has altered my perception of R.P.F. (in his favour!)
