What fraction of physics bestsellers are Feynman?

In summary, Amazon has a list of 100 bestseller books in the physics category, including a wide range of topics such as popularizations, biographies, textbooks, and even works with a connection to physics. The competition for the top 100 spots is tough. When scanning the list, it is not surprising to find that a large number of the books are by or about Feynman, including his famous works "Classic Feynman." However, it may be surprising that his books are placed below books on crackpottery. It is interesting to note that even a novel by Virginia Woolf, titled "The Waves," is included in the list due to its title's connection to physics.
  • #1
marcus
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Amazon has a list of 100 bestseller books in physics category. this includes popularizations, biographies, textbooks, Carl Sagan, Brian Greene, intelligent design, iffy-physics-of-the-supernatural, physics cartoons and comedy, ANYTHING if it has a connection with physics*. So the competition is quite stiff.

What fraction of the top 100 bestsellers turn out to be books by or about Feynman? What would you guess? you can check here:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/books/14545/ref=pd_ts_b_ldr/102-1454980-4598542&tag=pfamazon01-20

just by scanning down the list. Maybe you won't be surprised. It might be just what you expect. But it surprised me.*they even include a novel by Virginia Woolf called "The Waves" because it has waves in the title.
 
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  • #2
That certainly was a surprise to me!

Edit: On second thought, that didn't surprise me as I had checked only the first page. It seems that all his famous books are included in that(The book 'Classic Feynman' puts together the more famous ones). Of course, they certainly shouldn't be that far down, especially below books on crackpottery.
 
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  • #3
This is pretty interesting. Although I'm not surprised that there were that many of the 'classic' popular science books such as The Elegant Universe and the ones authored by Stephen Hawking. But then again, since when as search engines only provided relevant results?
 

Related to What fraction of physics bestsellers are Feynman?

What is the definition of a physics bestseller?

A physics bestseller is a book that has gained widespread popularity and critical acclaim within the field of physics. It is typically written by a well-known physicist and covers a topic that is relevant and intriguing to the scientific community.

Who determines which books are considered physics bestsellers?

The determination of what constitutes a physics bestseller is subjective and can vary among different individuals and organizations. However, some common factors that are often considered include sales figures, reviews from experts in the field, and awards or recognition received by the book.

How is Feynman associated with physics bestsellers?

Richard Feynman was a renowned physicist who made significant contributions in the fields of quantum mechanics and particle physics. He is also known for his engaging and accessible writing style, which has made his books popular among both scientists and non-scientists alike.

What is the significance of knowing the fraction of physics bestsellers that are written by Feynman?

Knowing the fraction of physics bestsellers that are written by Feynman can provide insights into the impact and influence of his work in the field of physics. It can also shed light on the popularity and relevance of his ideas among the general public.

Can this fraction change over time?

Yes, the fraction of physics bestsellers written by Feynman can change over time. This can be influenced by various factors such as the emergence of new authors and topics, changes in the scientific landscape, and fluctuations in the popularity of Feynman's work.

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