Quantum Man

Richard Feynman’s Life in Science

By: Lawrence M. Krauss

Narrated by: Lawrence M. Krauss

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

A gripping new scientific biography of the revered Nobel Prize–winning physicist (and curious character) Richard Feynman.

Perhaps the greatest physicist of the second half of the 20th century, Richard Feynman changed the way we think about quantum mechanics, the most perplexing of all physical theories. Here Lawrence M. Krauss, himself a theoretical physicist and best-selling author, offers a unique scientific biography: a rollicking narrative coupled with clear and novel expositions of science at the limits. An immensely colorful person in and out of the office, Feynman revolutionized our understanding of nature amid a turbulent life. From the death of Feynman’s childhood sweetheart during the Manhattan Project to his reluctant rise as a scientific icon, Krauss presents that life as seen through the science, providing a new understanding of the legacy of a man who has fascinated millions. An accessible reflection on the issues that drive physics today, Quantum Man captures the story of a man who was willing to break all the rules to tame a theory that broke all the rules.

©2011 Lawrence M. Krauss (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“ Quantum Man is a masterpiece.” (Walter Isaacson, New York Times best-selling author)

Richard Feynman's Science

As the narrator/author states up front, this book is more about the science of Richard Feynman than his life adventures that are well known. I was impressed, however, that the author could keep the science of particle physics interesting even for non-physicists. It is not that you don't have to pay attention. I'm a electrical engineer with a more than a few physics clases under my belt, but the text was sometimes a challenge to keep up with while driving around in the car (the way I learn most things these days). I have an e-book version also and now plan to take a more leisurely read to grasp a bit more.

What I really enjoyed from this book is how the author describes Richard Feynman's mental process in finding solutions. Most popular biographies of great people (especially scientists) center on personal relationships along a chronological path but I prefer to know how the subject thought and dealt with life, both the successes and failures.

a balance between the man and his work

like most good science biographies, this book balances the subject with the work he performed. it also gives insights about the contemporary science going on during the life of Feynman.

when will they make the movie?

when will they make the movie based on this book? it has everything . young beautiful people, sex, war, nerds, tragedy

Great book

Highly specialized book , amazing for people interested in understanding the basics of how things work and quantum mechanics.

FANTASTIC BOOK

This is the most important book in my library. The biographical perspective is surrounded by very knowlegable scientific explanation. Creative writing and the author's reading is a perfect expression.

Going to class

A well told story of the development of QED and the life of Feynman. It's like listening to a textbook that has a great plot; you want to keep on listening even though the material is difficult for us non-scientists.

good book. took away a lot

Great job Lawrence. Good story. touching and meaningful. I loved the joke about the parrot. Have already used it.

Feynman's Science in plain terms

This book concentrates on Richard Feynman's scientific interests, and Lawrence Krauss does a good job explaining it clearly.

Excellent book for science history buffs

This is an excellent book about Richard Feynman's contributions to physics over his long, storied career. It is not a biography, although one has a great sense of the man by the end.

The author discusses his contributions to theoretical physics in detail and a basic familiarity with the concepts of relativity and quantum mechanics are required. There are no equations, so math skills are not required but if you are not already acquainted with the fundamental problems of modern physics there won't be much for you to enjoy.

The performance was excellent. I was genuinely surprised at the end to find I had been listening to the author the whole time. I suppose the text required someone well versed in theoretical physics but his performance is engaging and inflects and enunciates better than some professional readers I have listened to.

I would highly recommend the book for someone who is a fan of Dr Feynman's and wants a better understanding of why he is such a legend in the world of physics.

Quantum Man is wonderful but difficult book

Having listened to two other books written by Krauss, I found this one unexpectedly difficult to follow conceptually. Perhaps a second reading will cure what ails me.