Who are some inspiring physicists and recommended books for beginners?

[mariexotoni]

I'm pretty new to the wonderful world of physics! Who are some people I can look to for inspiration?

Any book suggestions would be nice too- love to readddddddd.
Mention some awesome women physicists too :)

i know this is something i could just simply google, but i'd rather hear from you guys.

 

[Lambda3]

Richard Feynman is a constant inspiration for me. As far as books go, I would suggest reading QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter, The Character of Physical Law, or Six Easy Pieces to begin with so that you can decide if you enjoy his style.

 

[Jorriss]

Richard Feynman
Faraday
Von Neumann
Tycho Brahe

If you are interested in scientists in general Linus Pauling and Robert Burns Woodward are very interesting too.

 

[bcbwilla]

Richard Feynman - The Pleasure of Finding Things Out

 

[mariexotoni]

just added the pleasure of finding things out to my amazon shopping cart lol :)

 

[QuarkCharmer]

just added the pleasure of finding things out to my amazon shopping cart lol :)

Use this link to purchase!
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=473931


Feynman will likely be the most recommended here, and for good reason. I really like Walter Lewin, Carl Gauss, Leonard Euler, Jim Al-Khalili, Leonard Susskind, Kip Thorne. If you haven't read the Feynman lectures on physics, do yourself a favor.

 

[redrum419_7]

I loved Leonard Susskind's "The Black Hole War." Read it twice so far and plan on reading it again. It is not a technical book but I would say its a must read.