The best books by Richard Feynman for science lovers

Finding the right books to satiate your scientific curiosity doesn’t have to be a challenge. Simply turn to books by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Richard Feynman. During the 20th century, his insights into the laws of physics changed the course of science forever.

Richard Feynman’s books are influential and brilliant takes on theoretical physics and sometimes not-so-easy pieces on quantum mechanics. It’s no surprise he has a Nobel Prize in physics. Not only that, but the legendary theorist of relativity Albert Einstein attended Feynman’s seminar.

In this article, you can learn about the best books by the physicist Richard P. Feynman.

Who was Richard Feynman?

The famous theoretical physicist. Richard Feynman was born in New York, on May 11, 1918, and died on February 15, 1988.

Feynman studied physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and eventually received his Ph.D. from Princeton.

During World War II, Feynman became part of the theoretical division of the Manhattan Project. He was the youngest member in his division that helped create the atomic bomb in Los Alamos. He also contributed by making a formula for explosive energetic yield and improved the computing aspects of the project.

After the war, he continued his career as a professor at Cornell University, before switching to CalTech where he spent the rest of his career as a professor of theoretical physics.

Feynman made contributions to the scientific standpoint of waves and particles. He completely changed the way science perceives them. His theory began with quantum electrodynamics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in physics, along with two other co-winners, for his work on light.

Feynman was famous for his Feynman diagrams which simplified the calculations of certain particles acting with each other. Feynman made other strides in the world of quantum physics as well.

The best Richard Feynman books

Below, you can find some of the best books by Richard Feynman. Not all of his books are on this list such as the Feynman Lectures on Computation, Feynman’s Tips on Physics, or  Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman. The list has something for everyone.

Feynman collaborated with many other scientists in the writing of these books, such as Freeman Dyson, who is mentioned below in certain lectures.

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! 

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! is full of situations and meaningful glimpses of the life of the award-winning physicist. Most of them come from conversations that were recorded with Feynman’s very close friend Ralph Leighton. It was also a best seller when published in 1985.

This is a great book if you want to further explore the life of Richard Feynman and who he was as a person.

The Feynman Lectures on Physics

The Feynman Lectures on Physics is a set of three volumes that cover the basics of physics, from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics and space-time, as well as advanced topics such as relativity and thermodynamics.

What Do You Care What Other People Think? Further Adventures of a Curious Character

What Do You Care What Other People Think? is a collection of personal anecdotes and reflections by the renowned physicist Richard Feynman. It covers a wide range of topics, from his work on the U.S. Space Shuttle program prior to the space shuttle Challenger disaster, to his experiences as a bongo-playing hobbyist. It recalls when he held lectures on BBC.

It’s good if you want a closer look at Richard Feynman’s life.

Six Easy Pieces

Six Easy Pieces is a collection of six lectures that Feynman gave on basic concepts in physics, including atoms, energy, and quantum mechanics. It was co-authored with his colleague Robert B. Leighton. The book is a great introduction to physics for anyone interested in the subject, from high school students to curious adults.

Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track

This book is a collection of letters, speeches, and other writings by Feynman that were not originally intended for publication. If you are interested in Feynman’s life and work, or in the history of science in the 20th century, you would enjoy this book.

QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter

QED is a popular science book that explains quantum electrodynamics (QED), the theory that describes the behavior of light and matter at a fundamental level.

The book is aimed at a general audience and requires no advanced mathematical knowledge. Anyone interested in the weird and wonderful world of quantum mechanics, or the history of physics, would enjoy this book.

The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman

This is the perfect book to explore a wide range of topics that Richard Feynman spoke about. It contains speeches, interviews, and even lectures. Here, Feynman touches upon the Challenger disaster and working with the space shuttle.

The book does still contain important aspects of quantum physics but also offers a wider perspective of Feynman’s life.

The Character of Physical Law

The Character of Physical Law is a collection of seven lectures that Feynman gave at Cornell University in 1964. The lectures cover a wide range of topics in physics, from the laws of gravitation to the behavior of subatomic particles.

The book is aimed at a general audience and requires no advanced mathematical knowledge and is for anyone who has an interest in science.

The Meaning of it All

Feynman was first and foremost a scientist. As a scientist and a man, he also expressed interest and curiosity about the surrounding world. The Meaning of it All covers a three-part lecture. It took place at the University of Washington in 1963.

It covers many topics, including religion and science, as well as more controversial topics at the time. This is for the reader more interested in Feynman’s life as well as a wider scope of topics.

Discover the work of Richard P. Feynman on Speechify Audiobooks

Maybe you prefer to read science books on the go. Speechify offers a selection of science audiobooks, as well as books by Richard P. Feynman.

With Speechify, you can select your audiobook from a wide range of titles. Not only that, but you can also adjust the speed, take notes, and bookmark pages to maximize your productivity.

Try Richard P. Feynman books to quench your thirst for knowledge.

FAQ

Which Feynman books should I read first?

While you don’t need to read them in a particular order, you can start with the simplest book titles first. These include Feynman’s Tips on Physics, The Meaning of it All, and Pleasure of Finding Things Out. 

What is Richard Feynman best known for?

Richard Feynman is best known for his contributions to theoretical physics, particularly in the areas of quantum mechanics and particle physics such as path integrals.

What was Richard Feynman’s IQ?

Surprisingly, despite being one of the most influential scientists of his error, Richard Feynman scored 125–high average–on an IQ test according to his biographer James Gleick.

How many languages did Feynman speak?

Feynman spoke English, some Spanish, and Portuguese. He also knew some of the basics of German and a little Japanese.

What is one of Feynman’s best quotes?

One of the best quotes by Richard Feynman would be: “You must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool.”

What is Feynman’s most famous book?

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! would be both a great place to start and his most famous book.

What was Feynman like as a person?

Many have described Feynman as a bit of a loner. He liked to work on multiple problems mostly by himself and alone. Often, he would do the work in which he was most interested. He preferred to do things for himself rather than rely on other people.