Why a Comic?
Among physicists, Feynman is known for his work on the development of quantum electrodynamics, specifically the creation of a graphical approach known as a Feynman diagram. Feynman was fond of these diagrams and, according to one account, actually had his car detailed with them!
When I was writing String Theory For Dummies, an initial draft mentioned that Feynman received his Nobel Prize in part for the development of Feynman diagrams. The first technical reviewer was very upset by this, thinking it absurd to suggest that this was the reason he got the Nobel. However, in his Nobel Banquet Speech, he specifically recognizes "... having fashioned tools to make access easier to the new level, I see these tools used by other men straining their imaginations against further mysteries beyond. There, are my votes of recognition."
In fact, the Nobel Presentation Speech itself cites Feynman diagrams as a driving component of his work. "Feynman used more radical methods for solving the problems of quantum electrodynamics. He created a new formalism which he made very useful for practical calculations by introducing a graphical interpretation called Feynman diagrams, which have become an important feature of modern physics."
I rephrased the reference to make it clear that Feynman's work did go beyond the cute little pictures depicting quantum interactions, but the pictures aren't nothing. They turned the quantum realm into something that you could visualize. They gave it meaning and context beyond the equations.
For this reason, a graphical approach to his life is oddly appropriate.
Feynman's Science
Physicist Richard P. Feynman
Public domain (Congressional photo)I recently reviewed another biography of Feynman, Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science which focused largely on his scientific work, so it's nice to compare these books. Quantum Man isn't a graphic novel, so that's definitely the most clear distinction. Feynman is very accessible, because of the graphical nature of the storytelling. As mentioned above, Feynman's work in quantum electrodynamics - the quantum description of how light moves - lends itself well to a graphical storytelling approach. It definitely helped me to visualize some aspects of the path integral interpretation of quantum physics which I've always had trouble getting a real intuitive handle on.
Despite this, I don't think that anyone reading just Feynman by itself would feel that they have a really good grasp on the scientific concepts at the heart of Feynman's life work. The images make sense to me, but then I already understood them. If you really want to understand Feynman's work, I definitely recommend reading his own books or Quantum Man.
Feynman's Personal Life
The aspect of this book which is handled the best is the narrative voice. A comic narrative form allows the story to be told as if it were Feynman relating the events. Many of the scenes are taken directly from Feynman's own biographical accounts, such as Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman and What Do You Care What Other People Think?, so the playful voice that so many identify with Richard Feynman is clearly there.
This graphic novel clearly portrays Feynman as the irreverent genius who discovered profound physical truths by tinkering with problems that tickled his fancy. However, it doesn't shy away from some of the more colorful aspects of his personal life, either, including the following:
- His various pranks (and safecracking) while working on the Manhattan Project
- His not-infrequent womanizing
- His willingness to testify in court to prevent the closing of a strip bar that he frequented
These aspects of the Feynman legend are just as important to understanding the man as his scientific work, and this book does a good job of juggling the two. While Feynman may not make you a complete expert in Feynman's science, the reader will definitely leave it with a fairly coherent grasp on Feynman's character.
