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aditusmaximus's review against another edition
5.0
I am not usually into biographies, but this book was fantastic! Walter Issacson takes us through the life of da Vinci from the beginning through the end. We learn about his beginnings as an artist and painter, and see how his sense of curiosity and observation allow him to grow and develop his craft in fantastic ways. From there, Issacson shows us how da Vinci continues to take that curiosity, observation, and creative imagination forward into other areas of the world. Observing birds and looking into engineering for flying machines. Taking his engineering and observation into learning and understanding the anatomy of the human body. Taking his learnings from nature and anatomy and mechanics and applying it to more machines, hydrodynamics, and endless more inventions, ideas, notebooks, and even more art, all against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy. This book was very well organized, easy to read, and above all fascinating. I couldn't put it down. Walter Isaacson's research and knowledge on the subject are extremely thorough and detailed. Above all, he doesn't just tell us about da Vinci, rather, Isaacson seems to be able to take us into da Vinci's mind. By the end, I felt I could really understand how da Vinci's mind worked, driven by his endless curiosity, intense observation, and limitless imagination. This book was fantastic and I would highly recommend it. I may have to read some of the other biographies by Isaacson.
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