RPF
I've been reading this Feynman book, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman." I always thought it would be more self-aggrandizing than it is, based on the openings to many other books by or about physicists I have read. It's a book about science, but not in the way you might suspect. Every anecdote is like a parable, demonstrating how Feynman was able to live a life according to good scientific inquisitive practice-- an exciting, spontaneous life at that. I highly recommend it. It reads like melted butter. It was actually dictated to tape during conversations with his friend, which might explain why it is written at something of a juvenile reading level. But it is engaging nonetheless, to get to know this man from observing the aspects of his stories he emphasizes and repeats. He seemd to take a Zen approach to life, not worrying about all the details but having fun with them, and sticking to a solid corre of principles that helped him through his professional and personal life. But don't take my word for it...