Leonardo da Vinci

By: Walter Isaacson

Narrated by: Alfred Molina

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

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, Inc.

Worthy.

The narration is excellent. Even at 1x speed, the pace is quick, so it's very dense value. Alfred Molina is perfect.

The content itself is excellent too.

Stay Curious

Alfred Molina does a fantastic job. Love the story. Truly inspirational creator. Write down your thoughts!

Poor narration

The narrator is too soft spoken at points, o I have to keep increasing and decreasing the volume while I am driving, and that is very distracting and annoying. The narrator needs to speak clearly and at a consistent level.

Requires too many views of pdf files

It was often not enough about his biography, but sometimes about what his state of mind was and discussions about some of his paintings.

I wanted hard facts, not personal opinion from historians thrown it.

A lifetime of discovery.

This book was a joy to listen to. The presentation of Leonardo da Vinci’s life is extensive and inspired. I will carry the tales of Leonardo’s imagination for the rest of my life.

great writing

great book! tons of detail, well written and informative. a treasure to listen to. highly recommend it.

Underwhelming and disappointing

I have read/listened to Isaacson’s books on Einstein and Jobs and loved both of them. They were well written, captivating and compelling. In Leonardo da Vinci Isaacson has gone full fan-boy and seems to have lost a coherent storyline. It’s a piecemeal and uncritical look at da Vinci. No, the fact that da Vinci failed to finish so much isn’t just a mark of genius. It’s also highly unfortunate and unproductive. No, having relationships with 15 year old boys shouldn’t be passed over without comment. No, blindly following a brutal warlord is not merely an interesting detour. Isaacson’s invariable support and largely superficial descriptions are not compelling or convincing. I am left underwhelmed by both Isaacson and da Vinci, and I’m surprised by both.