The #1 New York Times bestseller from Walter Isaacson brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in this exciting new biography that is “a study in creativity: how to define it, how to achieve it…Most important, it is a powerful story of an exhilarating mind and life” (The New Yorker).Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, … and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson “deftly reveals an intimate Leonardo” (San Francisco Chronicle) in a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy.
He produced the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. With a passion that sometimes became obsessive, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. He explored the math of optics, showed how light rays strike the cornea, and produced illusions of changing perspectives in The Last Supper. His ability to stand at the crossroads of the humanities and the sciences, made iconic by his drawing of Vitruvian Man, made him history’s most creative genius.
In the “luminous” (Daily Beast) Leonardo da Vinci, Isaacson describes how Leonardo’s delight at combining diverse passions remains the ultimate recipe for creativity. So, too, does his ease at being a bit of a misfit: illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted, and at times heretical. His life should remind us of the importance to be imaginative and, like talented rebels in any era, to think different. Here, da Vinci “comes to life in all his remarkable brilliance and oddity in Walter Isaacson’s ambitious new biography…a vigorous, insightful portrait” (The Washington Post).
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To read this magnificent biography of Leonardo da Vinci is to take a tour through the life and works of one of the most extraordinary human beings of all time in the company of the most engaging, informed, and insightful guide imaginable. Walter Isaacson is at once a true scholar and a spellbinding writer. And what a wealth of lessons there are to be learned in these pages.
This book is a perfect example of why Walter Isaacson is one of the best non-fiction writers of our era. Many people have made entire careers out of studying Leonardo da Vinci’s life but Isaacson makes the story an easily readable and wonderful experience. I bought both the print and audio versions so I could read it at night and listen to it while driving to and from work. That’s how good it is, I didn’t want to stop consuming it.
The intersection of art and science fascinates me. As a surgeon and an author I can relate to the satisfaction that comes from exploring this boundary. It’s what inspired me to study political science and English as an undergraduate and motivated me to obtain graduate degrees studying muscle biochemistry and exercise science. It’s what led me to a career in medicine and surgery. Medicine is the ultimate blend of science and the arts. I’d like to think Leonardo would have been a physician in more modern times. His anatomical studies were revolutionary and his illustrations were as good as anything Frank Netter published.
Isaacson portrays Leonardo as one blessed with a powerful intellect and insatiable curiosity. He paints a beautiful image of how this combination drove Leonardo to make ground breaking discoveries in disciplines as diverse as engineering, geometry, aeronautics, architecture, anatomy, cartography, and of course, sculpture and painting. In many instances he was centuries ahead of his time. And Leonardo did this without a formal education. He was largely self-taught. Think about that for a moment. He wasn’t born with a silver spoon; he didn’t have an Ivy League pedigree. He was simply curious. He never published most of his discoveries and had little regard for academic or artistic accolades. He just wanted answers to his questions and wouldn’t stop inquiring until he found them.
This is a superb book. I’m a better person having finished it. I’ve gained knowledge and appreciation for one of the greatest geniuses that has ever graced this planet.
Not only is this subject a genius, but so is the author. It takes hard work & dedication to unearth this much knowledge. A lot of information that I never knew before makes this an intriguing read. We owe Da Vinci a lot for his many inventions & artistry. Also highly recommend on audio (14D) – reader is actor Alfred Molina.
Great book. What a genius.
Excellent portrayal of of the artist and his times.
‘ Read this book and discover what it’s like to be a genius in The Renaissance of Europe in the fifteenth century. What it’s like to develop and surpass your
teacher…..along withd dramatic photos of Leonard’s work as against his contemporaries. What it’s like for a man possessing not only artistic talent but unbelievable scientific abilities at the same time. What it’s like to be gay in a religious and dangerous era for nonconformist behavior. In short one of the most fascinating biographies you can find and will not be able to put down. In paperback.
Made you remember what a wonderful person Da Vinci truly was. An easy read but filled with facts.
Walter Issacson leaves no stone unturned in his most recent biography of my favorite artist both the magnificent and negative side of his life are explored and quite lovely is Issacsons knowledge of both Leonardo s painting techniques and the history behind his genius a true masterpiece to read
A great read about someone you know is great but not really why. This book explains Da Vinci, his world and the power of curiosity and observation.
Amazing book about an amazing man with an inquisitive and inventive mind. I had no idea that he was so much more than a painter. His discoveries were years ahead of his time.
The most fascinating book I have read in years! The real story behind the genius of this famous artist. He was so far ahead of his time, and was constantly educating himself, despite his lack of any formal education by his family. A very relate-able character. It’s a long book, but it’s like having an in-depth college course on Art History, because all of his famous paintings are discussed at length. Then there is his dynamic, silly, colorful personality throughout the book. I couldn’t put it down!!
So many pages, but worth your time.
Fascinating story about the life of Leonardo di Vinci from his birth and childhood, to mentors, peers, and competitors. In depth perspectives on his studies of human anatomy, optics, and perspective, and insights to his interest in science and engineering.
Learning about the man centuries ahead of his time; his scientific achievements; his artistic achievements; and his personal life are informative and very, very interesting. The book is a bit long though, but wading through it is well worth your time. His scientific achievements and inventions far outweigh the art for which he is best know.
Not exactly what I expect from a biography, but it explains in an engaging way Leonardo’s life from a young adult to his death through an analysis of his work and passions (both scientific and artistic). This book moves along at a brisk pace with only a few chapters that got a little too technical/analytical for me. Having read this book, you will come away smarter and entertained!
Excellent book on the life and works of the Genius “DiVinci” 5 stars!!!!
Gives background on his art, not just his life. I got more out of it than I expected.
Great book. It got me interested in paintings and the master painter.
A detailed and well researched look into the life of this genius. There are many lessons I can take away from the book, but one of the greatest is to always stay curious. I also love the summary lessons that the author read at the end of the audiobook. I need to copy those into a notebook I can be passed down to my grandchildren at some point in time. But my notebooks will not have the fascinating drawings of Leonardo‘s.
Way too long. It was difficult to read in the electronic version.