The Very Best of the Feynman Lectures by Richard P. Feynman

by Richard P. Feynman

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Genres: Science, Physics, Audiobook, Nonfiction

Audio CD

First published October 3, 2005

About the author

Richard Phillips Feynman was an American physicist known for the path integral formulation of quantum mechanics, the theory of quantum electrodynamics and the physics of the superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, as well as work in particle physics (he proposed the parton model). For his contributions to the development of quantum electrodynamics, Feynman was a joint recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965, together with Julian Schwinger and Sin-Itiro Tomonaga. Feynman developed a widely used pictorial representation scheme for the mathematical expressions governing the behavior of subatomic particles, which later became known as Feynman diagrams. During his lifetime and after his death, Feynman became one of the most publicly known scientists in the world.

He assisted in the development of the atomic bomb and was a member of the panel that investigated the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. In addition to his work in theoretical physics, Feynman has been credited with pioneering the field of quantum computing, and introducing the concept of nanotechnology (creation of devices at the molecular scale). He held the Richard Chace Tolman professorship in theoretical physics at Caltech.

-wikipedia

See Ричард Фейнман

Reviews

[Brahm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook is great in the sense you can hear Feynman's voice and the chalk on the board... But I wish I could SEE the chalkboard. Mostly accessible but a few lectures were pretty dense.

[Phil Huber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely not a "made-for-audiobook" experience ... fascinating stuff, great to hear his voice, but really makes you yearn for the video ...

[Cassandra Kay Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always an absolute treasure! I can't get enough of Feynman!

[Bob Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a layman's understanding of this topics. Some general reading and what you can pick up from tv shows on the subject. I wasn't expected the lectures to be at that level, but to expand my understanding at a theoretical level. This audio wasn't helpful. First, there are over 30 lectures in this series. The CD presents 6 lectures from the group. Several times Feynman refers to information presented in the other lectures, but of course, doesn't explain what that information was, so its impossible to follow his thoughts. Also, you hear the sound of Feynman writing on the chalkboard while speaking. Of course, you have no idea what information is being presented so again, it makes if impossible to follow. Obviously, if there had been a plan beforehand to publish in only in audio it might have been done differently. One of the six lectures is on the theory of probability and how it's applied to wave/particle theory, but that subject has little pertinence to a lay person. I did enjoy Feynman's speaking voice and sense of humor. I can hear why he's a star. Any listeners need to have an advanced knowledge in these topics to get anything out of them. I see GR reviews that these lectures are available on video on YouTube. I'd try that version instead of this CD.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting listen to hear Feynman doing his own lectures, but I'm going to have to read the full book which I have much higher hopes for.

This got dense towards the end and without the visuals on the chalkboard I couldn't keep up.

The conceptual explanations he gives in the opening, particularly regarding curved spacetime are excellent, just like his sense of humor.

[Peggy Payne Paustenbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving 3 stars because I went through the whole painful thing and understood maybe 10%. Had I gone through this 20 years ago when actually taking a physics course...it would have been much more meaningful. I probably would have understood 15%.

This audio book is NOT for non-math, non-physics types. Your little degree in English Lit can go F itself.

A delightful man, though.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my umpteenth attempt at understanding physics. I got a little bit of it but man my brain just doesn't work the way that is needed to understand this stuff completely.

My biggest complaint is that this is a ripped video and it referenced visual stuff often making a hard subject that much harder.

[Jb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening just for Feynman accent, dad jokes and audience reaction.
If you really want to learn, I recommend the online lectures on video at http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/ (Shoutout to @Sean for the pointer)

[Bill Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to Feynman's original lectures from the mid-1960s is a pleasure. I think most folks can only hope to understand a minority of what he is trying to explain. Without the visuals of blackboard notes/diagrams, or experiments shown, the experience is a bit like listening to jazz rather than setting a lattice of interconnected understanding of particle physics into your grey matter. It's interesting to think that so many measurable and confirmable mathematical phenomena can be so alien. The possibility truly exists of knowing almost anything. I especially enjoyed the part on curved space.
Feynman was one of my Father's favorite scientists and I can tell why. When you listen to him he doesn't remember all the names and dates, or even the other popular peripheral details of the science he is relating but there is never an instant when he is unsure about the big picture theoretics. Einstein supposedly once said 'If you can explain it simply you don't understand it'. Feynman explains everything simply, and with a relaxed sense of humor.
People are willing to pay extra for a car with leather seats, for luxury. Intellectual luxury is free at your local library and so much more valuable. Listen to these lectures, then listen to some Charlie Parker.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: Richard Feynman is one of the more famous modern physicists. He was a long-time professor and lecturer at UC Berkeley and his lectures have long served as a go-to resource for students of physics. These lectures covered Newtonian physics, Einstein's general theory of relativity, superconductivity, quantum mechanics as well as a couple of other topics.

My Review: I enjoyed listening to these lectures on CD as the audio is taken straight from his courses in the late 1960's. The upside was that you got to hear his lectures and it almost felt like you could be participating. The downside was when his lecture included a demonstration or complex mathematical formula that he was deriving on the board. I was able to use my imagination for the demonstrations, but I got lost during the equation descriptions as they were harder to focus on while I was driving.

[Skeptycal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dick Feynman is one of my favorite curious characters. His lectures and writings are so wonderfully entertaining and thoughtfully accurate. Even 50 years after his original Caltech, his vision of the world and the physics that runs it all is genius. For any physics or science student, his works are all absolutely must reads. For anyone simply seeking the joy of finding things out, his popular books are highly recommended. I personally prefer the audio versions of his lectures that contain his original speaking, rather than a paid narrator, as his personality is one of the most important parts of the enjoyment of his work.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

in physics the truth is rarely perfectly clear, and that is certainly universally the case in human affairs, hence what is not surrounded by uncertainty cannot be the truth and this is perhaps where the mystery and clarity of faith lives�i believe, refer to Faith and Reason for a better understanding. Cold war was difference between suppression of ideas and free ideas. Honorary degrees diminish other degrees...more about the feelings of the faculty perhaps. Why the bomb: if Nazis do bomb first and conquer world.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listening to these lectures just didn't work for me. He's obviously writing on the board, but I can't see it. Those of you who know me know I am spatially challenged. It makes it impossible for me to translate a spoken description into a mental image. So I'll have to read them instead or even watch them on video. I wonder if they were video taped. Another reference question to answer...

What I did get from the lectures is that Mr. Feynman is very funny and down to earth.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did the audiobook version of these lectures. It doesn't translate quite as well as being able to read what is being written on the chalkboard, but I think I got the gist as a layman in regards to physics and the secrets of the universe. Basically what I'm saying that in terms of how the universe works...I picked up the highlights.

[Darren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audio recording of public lectures given ("mostly" - but not entirely - by Richard Feynman) was great listening material, but I couldn't help but feel there were some lectures in which I would have greatly benefited from seeing the chalkboard. An enjoyable listen for any nostalgic physics fan who is seeking material spoken in Feynmen's own voice.

[Brayan Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't go deep into any ideas and being old means that you mainly get ideas from classical physics. But for someone just getting into physics its a really good start. You might need to have some basic ideas of physics to understand what he is talking about because its supposed to be a video and you only get the letters.

[Tim Titolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great perspective of the state of scientific theory in the early 1960s. It is also a testament to the grasp of the subject matter held by Dr. Feynman. I especially enjoyed the lecture series on the Theory of Gravitation and Curved Space. What a trip!

[Mohamed al-Jamri]

It is amazing to hear Feynman's voice and laugh to his jokes. But the recording is not clear and I had problems understanding his words. Also this only includes a small protion of the lectures he gave. So I guess it is best to just do the whole lectures instead of this.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy way of looking at some of the essential theories and laws of physics.

[David Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm an engineering nerd and love science, especially physics. Feynman was a great communicator to the physics community. I had a couple of professors like him at LSU, but there weren't many.

[Brendon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this and while edifying, you really need video to get the most out of the lectures. I believe many are posted to YouTube.

[Carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative.....