Leonardo da Vinci

By: Walter Isaacson

Narrated by: Alfred Molina

Length: 17 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

The author of the acclaimed best sellers Benjamin Franklin, Einstein, and Steve Jobs delivers an engrossing biography of Leonardo da Vinci, the world's most creative genius.

Leonardo da Vinci created 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 engineering. 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.

Now Walter Isaacson brings Leonardo da Vinci to life, showing why we have much to learn from him. His combination of science, art, technology, and imagination remains an enduring recipe for creativity. So, too, was his ease at being a bit of a misfit: illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted, and at times heretical. His relentless curiosity 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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

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

Fascinating insight into a fascinating man.

Loved it. Absorbed from beginning to end. Thanks to the Isaacson for his exhaustive research. I can't imagine reading all Da Vinci's scribbly notebooks in Italian mirror script and understanding the many topics presented.

Outstanding

The reader is excellent. I love that the author also reads at the beginning and the end. This is well written and informative.

fascinating book

loved this book. Fascinating man and captivating story. this book was one of the best that Walter issacson has written. sad it's over

A great book and a very wonderful presentation.

This book is amazing. While I did get a bit lulled into boredom over the nuances of the painting styles and what 'expert'' opinions have been over time, the discussion of his mind and interests more than compensated. I enjoyed the more vertical look here, rather than traditional horizontal biographies.

Leonardo magic in the best voice

The way Alfred Molina reads Walter Isaacson, transports you to the medieval times, and found yourself next to Leonardo, found yourself beside the master and the rhythm of the story makes it a very good entertainment.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

Fascinating!!

Fascinating man! Fascinating life! Brilliant art! The life of a man whose story is also art, in and of itself. I enjoyed the detailed analysis of each work of art as much as I did the narrative of Leonardo da Vinci‘s life. Being able to look at each work of art, via the accompanying PDF, as the narrator discussed it allowed me to have a new depth of understanding for each piece and the nuances that made Leonardo a genius. He was a brilliant man who made brilliance seen obtainable by anyone who takes the time to be curious, ask questions, and seek knowledge for knowledge sake.

In depth biography of a true genius

I enjoyed this biography. Leonardo is portrayed as a person with faults and problems which I think is very comforting to the reader. The story of Leonardo is extremely diverse and engaging. I left with the sense of a man that is very difficult to define. I think that the author did a good job of telling the story in a accurate way using a lot of different sources. There are a couple of times in the introduction and conclusion where Leonardo is compared with Steve Job's which I think is very fitting. This is a relatively long book and the listener might at time become a bit weary of the details of various projects that are described. Overall I enjoyed this book and recommend it as an inspiring story of a person who's main motivation was to learn and do things.

Fascinating.

Loved it. I need to keep more journals and write on paper (read the book and you'll understand why).

Da Vinci Enlightenment

The narrator was splendid , the book opened my eyes further to the life of the Master.

DaVinci was 200 to 300 years ahead of his time

as a result of reading this book by Walter Isaacson, I will certainly buy some of his other books. Alfred Molina did a superb job in Reading. and, this book was so well done, that I will buy the hardback to add to my collection.