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18 reviews for:
Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track: Letters of Richard P. Feynman
Michelle Feynman, Richard P. Feynman
4.08 AVERAGE
18 reviews for:
Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track: Letters of Richard P. Feynman
Michelle Feynman, Richard P. Feynman
4.08 AVERAGE
Really nice book. Gives you the feeling of how Feynman was in person.
Yeah, sometimes Feynman's a cocky jerk, but aren't we all? These letters are just so darn lovely and human. For as many (often justified) snotty replies he gives, there are just as many instances of unexpectedness tenderness and support for people in the same quest to figure things out.
About a comment he made in the early '60s about the minds of women, he received loads of letters calling him sexist, an idiot, etc. When, in the more enlightened times of 1987, he was asked permission to reprint this article, Feynman touched on the issue with wry humor:
"Dear Professor Jodl:
You have my permission to translate and publish the article in your journal. But the world has changed--and I made a remark about 'a girl instructing another one how to knit argyle socks.' Could you add a footnote, by the author (me) to that paragraph: 'How wonderfully the world has changed. Today conversations among women on analytic geometry are commonplace.'
Sincerely,
Richard P. Feynman"
About a comment he made in the early '60s about the minds of women, he received loads of letters calling him sexist, an idiot, etc. When, in the more enlightened times of 1987, he was asked permission to reprint this article, Feynman touched on the issue with wry humor:
"Dear Professor Jodl:
You have my permission to translate and publish the article in your journal. But the world has changed--and I made a remark about 'a girl instructing another one how to knit argyle socks.' Could you add a footnote, by the author (me) to that paragraph: 'How wonderfully the world has changed. Today conversations among women on analytic geometry are commonplace.'
Sincerely,
Richard P. Feynman"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
After reading through Feynman's letter I feel like I have a better sense of him and it makes his other writings more meaningful (sort of a "rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead" for his other works). It's a great read.
These letters give you a glimpse into a who RP Feynman was as a man, husband, scientist, human. There are moments of undeniable understanding of the human condition and wisdom. It is a shame that we have lost the art of letter writing as it is a unique way to understand history and the person experiences.
An interesting and entertaining collection of letters to and from Feynman, spanning the various phases of his life and career. This was well put together, and spanned a wide variety of topics: education, science, love, politics, happiness.
Very highly recommend. Quick and fun to read, but still deep and interesting. 4.5 stars.
Very highly recommend. Quick and fun to read, but still deep and interesting. 4.5 stars.