Review of Six Not-So-Easy Pieces: Einstein's Relativity, Symmetry, and Space-Time by Richard Feynman (1997)
As an undergraduate I could not penetrate the large, hardbound volumes of The Feynman Lectures on Physics my sister used in graduate school; my mathematics at the time was too limited. Even so, the space–time diagrams and the elegance of Feynman's prose left a lasting impression. Later I devoured his autobiographical works—beginning with Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!—and admired his wit as much as his physics.
This smaller collection, distilled from transcripts of selected undergraduate lectures, offers a more approachable entry into his treatment of relativity, symmetry, and space–time. Freed from the intimidating scale of the three-volume lectures, the material here is accessible without losing rigor. Feynman's charisma, precision, and contagious delight in physics animate every page.
The result is a compact yet deep experience: challenging enough to respect the subject, clear enough to sustain momentum. I read it quickly and with great enjoyment.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
As an undergraduate I could not penetrate the large, hardbound volumes of The Feynman Lectures on Physics my sister used in graduate school; my mathematics at the time was too limited. Even so, the space–time diagrams and the elegance of Feynman's prose left a lasting impression. Later I devoured his autobiographical works—beginning with Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!—and admired his wit as much as his physics.
This smaller collection, distilled from transcripts of selected undergraduate lectures, offers a more approachable entry into his treatment of relativity, symmetry, and space–time. Freed from the intimidating scale of the three-volume lectures, the material here is accessible without losing rigor. Feynman's charisma, precision, and contagious delight in physics animate every page.
The result is a compact yet deep experience: challenging enough to respect the subject, clear enough to sustain momentum. I read it quickly and with great enjoyment.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
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