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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Very interesting and fascinating biography. Even though Leonardo lived more than 500 years ago, it's amazing what it's known about his life and work.
I listened to the audio version of the book, read by Alfred Molina, and I can highly recommend it. Molina does a great job - and since he is fluent in Italian, all the Italian names and phrases in the book sound like they should (at least to my non-Italian ears). :)
I listened to the audio version of the book, read by Alfred Molina, and I can highly recommend it. Molina does a great job - and since he is fluent in Italian, all the Italian names and phrases in the book sound like they should (at least to my non-Italian ears). :)
A very enjoyable and informative read. I appreciate Isaacson’s accessible style of writing, with some phrases making me laugh (“DANGLING BALLS” in a biography! a serious book! Incredible) and other explanations very useful breakdowns of complicated technical stuff. Occasionally verging into the flowery (this guy loves the Mona Lisa, my goodness), Isaacson pulls a lot of resources (primary texts, images, secondary sources) to make the story he is trying to tell click. I liked it a lot. :-)
An excellent work that teaches something of art appreciation along with the usual Leonardo stuff. And Alfred Molina reads it perfectly.
This book saved my life. Not in a figurative "this book meant so much to me" way, but literally, it saved my life. I'm driving to work one morning super engrossed in this audiobook when a Mercedes turns out right in front of me. I was probably inches from hitting them, but you know how they day you're a better driver when you're on autopilot? I'm almost certain it's the only thing that prevented me from hitting that car. So anyway, really enjoyed this + loved the pdf file to reference all of the paintings and drawings they refer to throughout the book.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
There's a lot to be learned from Leonardo da Vinci. A man centuries ahead of his time, Leonardo was a student his entire life & believed that science was the secret to all aspects of life & art.
A genius still fascinating 500 years after his death.
“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.” ~Leonardo da Vinci
A genius still fascinating 500 years after his death.
“The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.” ~Leonardo da Vinci
This is just a fabulous book! Isaacson brings Leonardo to life through hours of research, examining his notebooks, works of art, ideas about science, mathematics and curiosity. The details of Leonardo's work and life are amazing and helped me to understand his art, his genius and his ability to puzzle through ideas and systems that were not actual discoveries until hundreds of years later! The revelation of water, the heart, the body and plants is fascinating. Do not miss this book- wow!
Memoirs are not usually my thing, but Isaacson is one of the masters. This was no exception. I have read much about da Vinci, and still, the writing is compelling, dramatic, and full of new and interesting takes on such an important historical figure.
Well-researched lookback at the life and times of Leonardo. Isaacson makes daVinci human and shows us the context in which his genius took root. He explores Leonardo's many profound accomplishments beyond painting and sculpture. The story is born from the authors' interpretations of daVincis' motives, personality, and the varied influences on his life. For me, this book was an absolute page-turner. I couldn't wait to hear what crazy idea Leonardo would explore next or how he got himself out of a jam, or where his life-adventure would take him next, or with whom. Just one chapter is dedicated to the Mona Lisa but of course, I learned a lot from that chapter and now wish to revisit Lisa in the Louvre to see her again with informed eyes.
If you love art, invention, the Renaissance, hard work triumphing hardship, this book is a delightful and compelling read.
PS The audible Audiobook comes with a PDF that is rather essential to reading the book. I often listened to the audio book with the PDF open on my laptop while I did another mindless task and from time to time I'd glance at the figure referenced in the PDF to better understand the references the author was making to a sketch, notebook page, or painting.
If you love art, invention, the Renaissance, hard work triumphing hardship, this book is a delightful and compelling read.
PS The audible Audiobook comes with a PDF that is rather essential to reading the book. I often listened to the audio book with the PDF open on my laptop while I did another mindless task and from time to time I'd glance at the figure referenced in the PDF to better understand the references the author was making to a sketch, notebook page, or painting.
Isaacson is a great writer, clearly very experienced in biography and I think this book deserves the praise that it gets. It's very, very thorough, which I enjoyed since I'm working on a project involving one of Leonardo's works now. I don't have any interest in reading about the other people that Isaacson has written about, but I would recommend him as an author for his writing even if Leonardo isn't your taste.
Basically I knocked off a star because he keeps mentioning Freud and I wish we would all just collectively start ignoring everything that Freud ever said, especially in regards to gayness. It's just irritating.
Basically I knocked off a star because he keeps mentioning Freud and I wish we would all just collectively start ignoring everything that Freud ever said, especially in regards to gayness. It's just irritating.