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Leonardo da Vinci  By  cover art

Leonardo da Vinci

By: Walter Isaacson
Narrated by: Alfred Molina
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, October 2017

Walter Isaacson, one of the most celebrated biographers of our time, is probably the only person who could successfully tackle a biography of the utterly complex, enigmatic, and misunderstood Leonardo Da Vinci; in fact, you could say that Da Vinci is the Steve Jobs of the 15th century (smile if you get it). Half jokes aside, Isaacson does an incredible job of melding Da Vinci the man with Da Vinci the artist, scientist, and inventor. Though it sometimes seems as if Dan Brown deserves credit for the recent cultural fascination with the Renaissance artist, Isaacson will surely be credited for unearthing Da Vinci’s past in a scholarly yet manageable manner. Narrator Alfred Molina's rhythmic and smooth delivery makes this work all the more accessible. —Laura, Audible Editor

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.

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

What listeners say about Leonardo da Vinci

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Wish the sample was not from the preface!

Alfred Molina gives a good performance, but you wouldn't know it if you were to buy this based on the audio sample. This is something I often check before buying, luckily I recognized Isaacson's funny voice and assumed it was a section of the preface.

The samples should give an overall impression of the narrator, not the author or other contributor in a preface.

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351 people found this helpful

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Remember to download the PDF!

Wonderful book, wonderful narration. The joy Isaacson has for his subject permeates the book. Alfred Molina is a fantastic narrator. The pdf is essential.

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112 people found this helpful

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Genius Adrift

Leonardo da Vinci, By: Walter Isaacson, and Narrated by: Alfred Molina. This is more akin to a Great Course, a study of Leonardo's works, rather than story about his inner self. The book tells us what he produced, not why he was moved to make those production. The narrative told here is a listing of what made the man, the serendipity of his life, and how he undertook to play out his gifts. That is not to say this was not a very easy to listen to and informative reading; it was a worthwhile read. The book does not unravel some mysterious being but rather provides analysis of the product of an artist and engineer and one of the most intriguing beings ever to leave traces of himself on the face of this earth.

Perhaps another way of describing the nature of the book is to explain it is the study of one man’s genius, his versatility and his inability to produce product. Yes, that is right. Lack of finished product. This book is about the intellect of Leonardo. It is also the story of his failure to paint more or finish what he started or when it came to his scientific studies document any finding for publication. Rather we are now committed to his notes which he created for his own inquisitive urges. Leonardo was void of the need to provide the fruit of his genius to mankind. He focused only on his own narcissistic enjoyment. Not to progress mankind.

All in all, a really good place to spend your reading time. If you are inquisitive about genius or want to know why this man was a magnificent artist, this work by Isaacson will get you there and get you there in luxury. The reading was perfect.

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The audio version is great!

Alfred Molina, the reader, is a reasonably well-known actor (Chocolat, etc). Born in London, his mother was Italian and his father, Spanish. He speaks both languages. So, if you appreciate good pronunciation of Italian words, you won’t be disappointed!

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Very good

Good book and good reader. I can do without the affectation of saying “Leonardo” with a fake Italian accent throughout the book. Also, the constant referrals to photos on a pdf is frustrating. Couldn’t Audible make this pdf available online so that listeners can refer to it?

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Loved It, but...

Loved listening to the depth of research that comes out in every part of this amazing story about Leonardo, but it's becomes a bit challenging to follow the audio and also access the images of the paintings that Isaacson references throughout the book. Audible's user experience is great, but it may be a work that lends itself to the physical copy of the book due to the subject matter.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

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Mainly for Art Lovers!

My rating is only three stars because 75% of the book is about his art, in excruciating detail. The title Leonardo DaVinci, the man and his art is more fitting.

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Avoid the audible

I was excited when I started to listen to the great narration until chapter one started and I realized the author had done the great intro. The book narrator was disappointing. A British narrator with fake italian pronunciation of Leonardo and every Italian word reminded me of the David Sedaris story about “nicarrrraaaggguuuua”. Annoying. Selective but not all words given their native pronunciation Isaacson should have narrated the whole thing. I’m sure it’s a great book. Will have to get a paper copy.

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41 people found this helpful

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Amazing but needs the digital/physical version

I’m not a fan of biographies. I find the very drab. However THIS is perhaps the only one of read/listened too and enjoyed.

Davinci is a fascinating person and his life is great to learn about even through TV documentaries but something about great prose that makes it better.

The way it’s written almost feels like a normal book book. It puts you there and you go along with Davinci and his life.

The only negative about this is that it NEEDS the Digital or physical version a little bit. It mentions often lots of paintings and drawings throughout the book (see figure 1,2 etc.) and kind of breaks the listening experience now and again. You could always just google this image or that image as well.

All in all it’s a good listen. Not sure if I will listen to it again or at least for some time after but that’s just me.

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Warning! Warning! Reader may drive you nuts!

I love Walter Isaacsons work and I liked Alfred Molina as Doc Ock in Spiderman II but for the love of God this is an annoying listen. The book is fine, well researched and fascinating as all of Mr. Isaacsons work is. Much of the reading is fine. Mr. Molina comes from the same part of London as me and has a perfectly fine delivery....until he hits an Italian name....and in this book there are very, very many. Think of that Italian restaurant where the food is great but the waiter with the thick Bronx, Glasgow or Minnesota accent pronounces all the food items in such a fake, over the top Italian accent it totally puts you off the food. This is that. About 20% of the time he pronounces the names as any average native English speaker would….but the rest of the time it’s Spaghhheiiiiitiii Bologgneeeesi to the horizon. At first it’s just mildly irritating…after a few hours you may want to grind your iPhone into the dirt. I know I have quite a few followers out there and I rank fairly well so maybe this review will help…but please be warned. Oh...and listening to the sample won’t help. It’s read by the mellifluous author himself not the actual reader…if it was Mr. Isaacson for the next 17 hours it would be great. After four hours I’m doing something I always never do…I’m returning this book.

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