Given the abundance of Feynman biographies, one may think that another one would be unnecessary. Yet James Gleick's addition to the already overflowing collection of Feynman books offers a unique and insightful look into the life of one the most colorful characters in scientific history. Nominated for a National Book Award, Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman is a worthy read that is capable of inspiring those who aim for a career in science. A defining characteristic of Gleick's work is the manner in which Feynman's life is seen through the eyes of those who were closest to him and knew him well. The book is filled with an abundance of anecdotes from such eminent physicists as Freeman Dyson, Murray Gell-Mann, Julian Schwinger and others. Furthermore, Gleick, who is also the author of Chaos: The Making of a New Science, showcases his uncanny ability to vividly portray scientific people and dramatize breakthroughs in physics. This is no small task, as any attempt to explain the intricate work of Feynman and his colleagues' risks becoming an overly technical treatise on modern physics. Though Gleick does his best not to skimp on the details of the physics, his book still makes for a fairly smooth read.

Gleick follows Feynman from his humble beginnings at Far Rockaway to his accomplishments at MIT as an undergraduate. The reader is then immersed in Feynman's progress through graduate school at Princeton and his subsequent activities at Los Alamos as part of the Manhattan Project. Finally, the career of Feynman at Cornell and Caltech spans the remainder of the biography. The book is rich in both depth and breadth, with a substantial number of pages dedicated to Feynman's personal life. Thus, at the conclusion of the book, not only does Feynman the physicist stand out, but Feynman as a person is also brought to the forefront. This is especially evident during the chronicle of his life with his first wife, Arline Greenbaum.

Among the many interesting portions of the book are Gleick's brief forays into the concept or notion of genius. For, example, he touches on several of the common theories about whether genius is made or born and includes discussion on other personalities who are most plainly and universally associated with the word genius. Yet in these sections of the book, Gleick somehow leaves the reader yearning for more. There are not many original thoughts on the subject of genius that Gleick offers at length. Another slight drawback to the book is the complete absence of mathematical equations. While Gleick attempted to gear the biography towards the layman, he walks a fine line by also refusing to gloss over many of the details of Feynman's work in physics. As a result, some portions of the book are wrapped up in a seemingly unending torrent of metaphors that ultimately do not convey much. Despite these shortcomings in the biography, Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman, offers a commendable introduction to those who never knew Feynman personally.