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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
Leonardo would have gotten mediocre performance reviews. “Easily distracted. Fails to meet deadlines. Leaves work unfinished.”
Though initially intimidate by the size of this book, I devoured and loved it. “What made Leonardo a genius, what set him apart from people who are merely extraordinarily smart, was his creativity, the ability to apply imagination to intellect.” He was incredible and this book is a testament to the importance of creativity and the arts in our lives. Read it.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
My first time reading a biography, and I could not have chosen a better one. Helped by the fact that it's subject is maybe the most interesting person to ever live, Walter does an exquisite job at giving a factual yet exciting depiction of the genius.
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