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jderv's review against another edition
3.0
overall good... but way too much deep-diving into the intricacies of all da Vinci's varied interests.. i found the math sections particularly boring...
daviest's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first biography I've ever read, and it did not disappoint. Blending journalistic intrigue with academic diligence, Isaacson chronicles Da Vinci's whole life from start to finish. He seeks to explain not only what Da Vinci achieved, but also how such a prolifically creative and curious mind came to be.
I was also delighted that the book was able to impart an introduction to, and appreciation of art history as a byproduct of learning about Leonardo's life. It is testament to Isaacson's writing that he managed to make art history, something I would have previously expressed no interest in, so incredibly captivating! I particularly enjoyed the investigative aspect of understanding Leonardo's life; trying to ascertain what is fact, what is embellished fact, and what is the fiction of previous biographers.
The book ends with a list of intellectual virtues that Leonardo displayed throughout his life, which are inspiring, and I hope to come back and read again another day.
I was also delighted that the book was able to impart an introduction to, and appreciation of art history as a byproduct of learning about Leonardo's life. It is testament to Isaacson's writing that he managed to make art history, something I would have previously expressed no interest in, so incredibly captivating! I particularly enjoyed the investigative aspect of understanding Leonardo's life; trying to ascertain what is fact, what is embellished fact, and what is the fiction of previous biographers.
The book ends with a list of intellectual virtues that Leonardo displayed throughout his life, which are inspiring, and I hope to come back and read again another day.
mrsmobarak's review against another edition
5.0
Walter Isaacson writes biographies so well. It was fascinating learning more about Leonardo da Vinci, beyond whatever I learned in high school or college.
jenniferstringer's review against another edition
5.0
If he hadn't been before, Leonardo is definitely now on my fantasy dinner guest list. What a mind! After reading this I tried to observe the birds at the bird feeder the way he might have. For the life of me, I couldn't tell if the bird's wing was in an upswing or down-stroke position upon take off or landing. His visual acuity was incredible. And that's just one aspect of his genius.
The book is well constructed with the various of layers of da Vinci layed out before us. We stack the layers as we read (like a da Vinci painting) to get the full effect of what it meant to be Leonardo da Vinci. I read this via kindle and it was fun to enlarge the paintings and notebooks to really see his famous left-handed cross hatching and the other characteristic Leonardo hallmarks. Highly recommend.
The book is well constructed with the various of layers of da Vinci layed out before us. We stack the layers as we read (like a da Vinci painting) to get the full effect of what it meant to be Leonardo da Vinci. I read this via kindle and it was fun to enlarge the paintings and notebooks to really see his famous left-handed cross hatching and the other characteristic Leonardo hallmarks. Highly recommend.
taniguchi_c's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
marysasala's review against another edition
4.0
The organization of the book is a little tiresome. He chooses to write a biography of the great Leonardo day Vinci by looking at his notebooks. Thus he organizes the book by subject versus a timeline.
But this book does a great job displaying the genius and uniqness of the man. It takes a deep look at his artistic, mathematical, geological and scientific look at the world.
He makes Leonardo not only attainable but a
But this book does a great job displaying the genius and uniqness of the man. It takes a deep look at his artistic, mathematical, geological and scientific look at the world.
He makes Leonardo not only attainable but a
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
This one's hard to review. Isaacson did an incredible job of scouring Leonardo's notebooks for telling tidbits, and he provides terrific context for the artist's work. But there is strangely little biographical information about Leonardo himself, who remains almost secondary to his works. In addition, I did not really trust Isaacson's judgements about Leonardo's art, as he is far from an expert in that area.