Popular Science Review - Richard Feynman: A Life in Science

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Review - Richard Feynman: A Life in Science - John Gribbin & Mary Gribbin

Of all the scientists of the 20th century, perhaps only Albert Einstein was more worthy of a biography than Feynman. Not only was Feynman a great physicist, a superb teacher and a wonderful showman (a facet that continued throughout his life, as in his famous o-ring in the ice water demonstration when investigating the shuttle disaster), he had a full and dramatic life, made more so by his talent for telling stories about himself, at least some of which were entirely true.

In another biography with the same original subtitle (Einstein: A Life in Science), John Gribbin worked with a different collaborator, Michael White. White's superior writing style nicely balanced Gribbin's scientific knowledge. It's less obvious what improvement there is on Gribbin's style when he works with his regular co-author, his wife Mary. Perhaps the book is a little less rushed, but there is still the typical Gribbin combination of a bit too much science thrown at you with insufficient explanation with writing that plods rather than soars.

This is a pity, as the subject is good, the material Gribbin gets in there about Feynman's life is fine, as is the physics - it just doesn't seem a good enough book to adequately reflect Feynman's genius. While this book is well worth reading, consider also checking out Gleick's meater equivalent Genius.

Also in hardback:

Reviewed by Brian Clegg

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