Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!

Interesting read, but I find it peculiar that Richard Feynman had such a refreshing and honest take on scientific publishing and reporting (i.e. that it should be honest and not a carefully manufactured story in which all the mistakes and false leads are omitted), and then allowed for himself a carefully crafted, self-indulgent (hagiographical I dare say) memoir, with all the big and small successes, but no mistakes, doubts, or regrets.

A very interesting read, and Feynman has some great stories to tell. I find it very refreshing to have down to earth role models, who don’t involve themselves in all the fuss of maintaining appearances, and just do whatever the hell they feel like doing.

Unfortunately the book is a bit tainted because of the commentary on women and his relationships with them. No doubt this is because I’m having a modern outlook on things that were normal almost a century ago, but it makes it harder to find him likeable.