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Leonardo Da Vinci

By: Walter Isaacson
Narrated by: Alfred Molina
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Publisher's Summary

Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo's astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson weaves a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo's genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy.

He produced the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. But in his own mind, he was just as much a man of science and technology. With a passion that sometimes became obsessive, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. His ability to stand at the crossroads of the humanities and the sciences, made iconic by his drawing of Vitruvian Man, made him history's most creative genius.

His creativity, like that of other great innovators, came from having wide-ranging passions. He peeled flesh off the faces of cadavers, drew the muscles that move the lips, and then painted history's most memorable smile. He explored the math of optics, showed how light rays strike the cornea, and produced illusions of changing perspectives in The Last Supper. Isaacson also describes how Leonardo's lifelong enthusiasm for staging theatrical productions informed his paintings and inventions.

Leonardo's delight at combining diverse passions remains the ultimate recipe for creativity. So, too, does his ease at being a bit of a misfit: illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted, and at times heretical. His life should remind us of the importance of instilling, both in 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2017 Walter Isaacson (P)2017 Simon & Schuster UK

Critic Reviews

"To read this magnificent biography of Leonardo da Vinci is to take a tour through the life and works of one of the most extraordinary human beings of all time in the company of the most engaging, informed, and insightful guide imaginable. Walter Isaacson is at once a true scholar and a spellbinding writer. And what a wealth of lessons there are to be learned in these pages." (David McCullough)

What listeners say about Leonardo Da Vinci

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Absolutely loved it

I first listened to Steve Jobs and loved it! Not knowing much about Da Vinci I thought it would be worth a listen. The story and detail is brilliant and it has made me want to continue my learnings of Leo and his art work. Highly recommended!

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Amazing!

A very long read, and something I could never consume in print but a story every person should know. Intriguing and hard to stop listening. Amazing!

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Velvet

Worth it alone just to hear Alfred Molina’s velvety prononciation of “Leonardo”. The story of Leonardo’s life is a delicious bonus.

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Loved it

Amazing insights into a incredible individual. The narration is tremendous. The book covers every aspect of his life and u feel like u know him by the end- his strengths and weaknesses.

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Get a hard copy of this one!

The performance was excellent and the contents of the book were even better as Walter Isaacson often delivers.

With this biography however i went out and got a physical copy as much of the text references images. The audiobook provides a pdf however referring to it became quite a chore as the book goes on.

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Hard to fault

This is an excellent piece of work - well researched and nothing thrown in that's not properly verified. I came out with even great respect for Leonardo - a total genius. I would definitely read other Isaacson books now, based on this one.

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Wow!

So sad that we won't ever produce another Leonardo. True genius, I am very glad I got this book. 😊

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Great book

Great book, and above all best narration I have heard so far. Narrator had great command on pronunciation of Italian names.

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Best Audio Book

This has to be the best audio book I’ve heard. I can hardly wait to get the printed copy and read it now.

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Fascinating

Curiosity and creativity seem to be the best combination of any two traits available. What would be the third?

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