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theseventhl's review against another edition
2.0
It's an okay book, but I would not give this to someone as their first introduction to Feynman, or his science. It's not written well for a layperson who doesn't have a STEM background, and the bio parts of this book are quick, skim over a lot of events, and are obviously overshadowed by Feynman's scientific work.
Also, I can't stand it when the author of a biography inserts themselves into the narrative. It doesn't work here and when it happened, it was irritating.
It's fine if you already understand quantum mechanics and QED and have a science background, and also know enough about Feynman to recognize where the book skips and skims. Otherwise, pick up GENIUS, a superior Feynman biography (probably the best one written to date), and then look into Feynman's own writing for non-scientists.
Also, I can't stand it when the author of a biography inserts themselves into the narrative. It doesn't work here and when it happened, it was irritating.
It's fine if you already understand quantum mechanics and QED and have a science background, and also know enough about Feynman to recognize where the book skips and skims. Otherwise, pick up GENIUS, a superior Feynman biography (probably the best one written to date), and then look into Feynman's own writing for non-scientists.
michaelgauchat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
As a relative amateur when it comes to theoretical physics, I found Quantum Man incredibly dense at times. Krauss spends a lot of time trying to explain high-level concepts, but was ultimately not successful in teaching me much. I definitely got a sense of Feynman's personality, however, and his place in modern physics.
branch_c's review against another edition
3.0
I read a number of popular physics books some years ago and for some reason I thought I might be in the mood for another one. As it turns out, I think I probably wasn't really, since I was not thrilled by this one. It's perfectly well written, and it accomplishes its goal of giving readers an insight into Feynman's personality while highlighting his contributions to physics, especially quantum electrodynamics. The style reminded me of Lederman's The God Particle. It skips around in time a bit, but that isn't enough to explain why it failed to hold my interest, so I have to conclude it was me. Definitely not a bad book, and I'd recommend it for those interested in Feynman or wanting a superficial run-through of physics in the 20th century.
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 ~