Meaning of it All : Thoughts of a Citizen-Scientist

Many appreciate Richard P. Feynman‰_s contributions to twentieth-century physics, but few realize how engaged he was with the world around him‰ÛÓhow deeply and thoughtfully he considered the religious, political, and social issues of his day. Now, a wonderful book‰ÛÓbased on a previously unpublished, three-part public lecture he gave at the University of Washington in 1963‰ÛÓshows us this other side of Feynman, as he expounds on the inherent conflict between science and religion, people‰_s distrust of politicians, and our universal fascination with flying saucers, faith healing, and mental telepathy. Here we see Feynman in top form: nearly bursting into a Navajo war chant, then pressing for an overhaul of the English language (if you want to know why Johnny can‰_t read, just look at the spelling of ‰ÛÏfriend‰_); and, finally, ruminating on the death of his first wife from tuberculosis. This is quintessential Feynman‰ÛÓreflective, amusing, and ever enlightening.