Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! (Adventures of a Curious Character)

Paints a picture of a very brilliant problem solver and merry prankster who was a polymath, taught himself how to play the bongos, used to paint in strip clubs. You've got to love this guy! And it's a hilarious book but it also shows you how good he was at testing assumptions and questioning dogma. Even in the face of embarrassment or criticism.

Brin told the Academy of Achievement: "Aside from making really big contributions in his own field, he was pretty broad-minded. I remember he had an excerpt where he was explaining how he really wanted to be a Leonardo [da Vinci], an artist and a scientist. I found that pretty inspiring. I think that leads to having a fulfilling life."

If you ever meet me in person, I have an extra copy because it's just that amazing.

As far as Surely Youʼre Joking is concerned, Richard Feynman is probably one of the best storytellers the world has known. The book is a collection of stories about his work (heʼs one of the fathers of the US nuclear program, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics in 1965) and his passions, like music and teaching. Whatʼs really exciting about Feynman, and a trait I think generally is one of the most important in life, is that he manages to explain very complicated things as if theyʼre the simplest you can imagine, constantly making fun at his own expense and showcasing his insatiable curiosity and optimism. This resonates a lot with my own, very modest, experience in doing anything successfully: if itʼs really great and good, it feels like a walk in the park.

A brilliant mind with unlimited curiosity that played major roles in several different fields. Fun to read.

The other book which had a huge impact on me was Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman. At school, I'd done well in maths and the sciences, but when it came time to go to university, I just wanted to work on the web, so didn't take up my place. Reading that book rekindled my enthusiasm for science in general, and it was shortly after that that I started a Physics degree with the Open University. Going back to academic study had a huge impact on me. I'd go as far as to say I'd been in a serious rut for a few years at that point, but studying with the Open University gave me clarity and self-confidence enough to start making some big positive changes. And that all started with Mr Feynman.

Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman I have read many times. It takes you back to childhood curiosity of learning things. Feynman was also a master at the appearance of being a "genius" because he would often make educated guesses which blew the minds of people around him, therefore earning his reputation as a genius.

The book I’ve recommended most.