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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Everyone knows that Leonardo was a genius, but that is just the beginning of who he was. He was a gifted anatomist, he was fascinated by hydraulics, he was an intensely curious person. I'm not an art lover, but I now have a much greater appreciation of what it takes to create on the level that Leonardo did.
That being said, I wish Mr. Isaacson would find some historical women to write about.
That being said, I wish Mr. Isaacson would find some historical women to write about.
This was a conversational and easy approach to da Vinci's life. While some parts felt too reflective of the modern era, it was overall and enjoyable and informative read.
“Leonardo’s relentless curiosity and experimentation should remind us of the importance of instilling, in both ourselves and our children, not just received knowledge but a willingness to question it — to be imaginative and, like talented misfits and rebels in any era, to think different.”
Painter, sculptor, inventor, mathematician, engineer, scientist, philosopher. A true Renaissance Man. One of the highlights of my life was seeing Mona Lisa.
Painter, sculptor, inventor, mathematician, engineer, scientist, philosopher. A true Renaissance Man. One of the highlights of my life was seeing Mona Lisa.
Fantastic life, flat book. While the scope and scale of Leonardo's achievements are even more than what I presumed, we never get to know him well through the book. I am not sure if the fault lies with the author or just that the details of Leonardo's life are simply not available to craft a rich picture. Questions that one starts with are barely addressed - how was he able to accomplish so much and what are his methods. The author's answer that Leonardo was very curious does not offer much insight other than stating the glaringly obvious.
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Fantástico! Uma viagem à mente de um gênio que é muito maior e muito mais profunda do que pode-se imaginar. Da Vinci é um modelo do espírito inovador que tanto se busca hoje em dia. Um livro espetacular, uma homenagem à altura de um mestre como Leonardo da Vinci.
Resenha completa em: https://medium.com/@rcpadilha/leonardo-da-vinci-3371dc8a7d6e
Resenha completa em: https://medium.com/@rcpadilha/leonardo-da-vinci-3371dc8a7d6e
I was really excited for reading this book and I expect a lot from it.
Anyhow I enjoyed this book, There were some chapter in book which were too good and I enjoyed reading them.
And there were some which were quite boring so, I had to skip some pages.
Sometimes reading this book was a pure pleasure and sometimes it was dull,boring.
The best way of reading book is reading what you are interesting in and being bold enough to skip all those pages which are found to be boring. It is good to have some knowledge about da vinci painting, his inventions and background of renaissance period before starting reading this book.
"3.5" stars
Anyhow I enjoyed this book, There were some chapter in book which were too good and I enjoyed reading them.
And there were some which were quite boring so, I had to skip some pages.
Sometimes reading this book was a pure pleasure and sometimes it was dull,boring.
The best way of reading book is reading what you are interesting in and being bold enough to skip all those pages which are found to be boring. It is good to have some knowledge about da vinci painting, his inventions and background of renaissance period before starting reading this book.
"3.5" stars
Of the Isaacsons I’ve read, this one comes off as the most scholarly. Isaacson can and does go in depth on Leonardo’s various works, detailing the artistic methods and the science behind each one. And this is what makes this book wholly unsuitable for listening. You really need to take time to focus on the content and view the artwork and other illustrations hand in hand with the text. The audiobook version tries to accommodate this with a supplemental PDF but it falls far short of having an actual book in hand. But I will not fault Isaacson for this. Just be warned if you wish to read this biography.
My main criticism of this book is that it is often more art history than biography. Whereas I am keen to view Leonardo in his historical context, I am less jazzed about learning about the technical details of each artistic work. This made listening a chore at times for me, but it may make the book all the more interesting for those differently inclined.
Also, whereas with Jobs and Musk, Isaacson pulled off the unlikely feat of making admirable those who I until then had viewed as irredeemable assclowns, making me feel somehow closer to them, accepting and understanding (though not condoning!), I can’t say my feelings towards Leonardo (already pretty supportive) have gained much depth by the end of this biography. Sure, Isaacson’s done a fairly good job of assaulting the halo around Leonardo, making him appear just slightly more human than the myth of him affords. But, I still don’t feel much closer to him as a person. His emotional life remains a mystery to me, and as such he remains something of a mythical figure. Mythical figures are fine, but we seldom see ourselves in them.
My main criticism of this book is that it is often more art history than biography. Whereas I am keen to view Leonardo in his historical context, I am less jazzed about learning about the technical details of each artistic work. This made listening a chore at times for me, but it may make the book all the more interesting for those differently inclined.
Also, whereas with Jobs and Musk, Isaacson pulled off the unlikely feat of making admirable those who I until then had viewed as irredeemable assclowns, making me feel somehow closer to them, accepting and understanding (though not condoning!), I can’t say my feelings towards Leonardo (already pretty supportive) have gained much depth by the end of this biography. Sure, Isaacson’s done a fairly good job of assaulting the halo around Leonardo, making him appear just slightly more human than the myth of him affords. But, I still don’t feel much closer to him as a person. His emotional life remains a mystery to me, and as such he remains something of a mythical figure. Mythical figures are fine, but we seldom see ourselves in them.
I have seen the 'Mona Lisa,' and to my embarrassment I was not impressed. I was fifteen, exhausted on the tail-end of a ten day excursion. Standing over thirty feet away from the work of art behind a massive crowd of flashing cameras, I took a couple glances and moved on. Ever since I've wondered why this is widely considered the finest painting ever created.
The biography of Leonardo Da Vinci is as much an account of the brilliant man's life as it is a lesson in appreciation. The reader is taken by the hand into all of the intricate curiosities that buzzed around in the head of the most curious man who ever lived. The techniques he pioneered are brought to life and the paintings shown in the book grow in beauty as his skills refine. When I finally turned the page to stare at the printed copy of the Mona Lisa, I couldn't take my eyes away from it. Sometimes, all that is needed is a little context, or five-hundred pages of it rather.
The organization and writing of this biography really pulled me in and I read the book very quickly. It has inspired me to at least attempt to think more like Leonardo. He may be the only individual to have equal claim to both titles of 'the greatest artist of all time' as well 'the greatest scientist of all time.' If he had published his writings, he would certainly be known as such. However, his passions lay in the discovery and conception of new ideas, and not in their mass distribution.
The biography of Leonardo Da Vinci is as much an account of the brilliant man's life as it is a lesson in appreciation. The reader is taken by the hand into all of the intricate curiosities that buzzed around in the head of the most curious man who ever lived. The techniques he pioneered are brought to life and the paintings shown in the book grow in beauty as his skills refine. When I finally turned the page to stare at the printed copy of the Mona Lisa, I couldn't take my eyes away from it. Sometimes, all that is needed is a little context, or five-hundred pages of it rather.
The organization and writing of this biography really pulled me in and I read the book very quickly. It has inspired me to at least attempt to think more like Leonardo. He may be the only individual to have equal claim to both titles of 'the greatest artist of all time' as well 'the greatest scientist of all time.' If he had published his writings, he would certainly be known as such. However, his passions lay in the discovery and conception of new ideas, and not in their mass distribution.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced