Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! is an autobiographical set of anecdotes about larger-than-life physicist Richard P. Feynman. It is split into five sections, covering different periods of his life from childhood on, with six to 13 stories in each section.
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Feynman, aside from being a great physicist, was a well-known prankster and iconoclast, with an insatiable curiosity that led to all sorts of interests unrelated to his field. Many of the stories deal with these non-scientific aspects, and even the science stories don't require much knowledge of the subject. Among other things (all recounted in this book), he worked on the super-secret Manhattan Project during World War II, gave a lecture attended by Albert Einstein, played in a Brazilian samba band, drew nudes, discovered a new law of physics (for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize), and basically had a whole lot of fun.
Best part of story, including ending:
Feynman effectively conveys his outlook, enthusiasm and humor in print.
Best scene in story:
In "You Just Ask Them?", he is taught how to get women to sleep with him.
Opinion about the main character:
He led a full, multi-faceted, fascinating life.
