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

Pretty good, narrator doesn't bother me

Lot of reviews complaining about his pronunciation of, among other things, Leonardo, which I (Italian speaker) did not mind.

great book but not really biography

while the book is really well written and the research is great, it didn't feel like a biography but more like an exploration of Leonardo's art and his notebooks.
great book nevertheless!

Issa son

Does another great job providing both the facts of an interesting life, but also insights about his time and place

99% Excellent

I very much enjoyed this book, both its account of Da Vinci's life, and the smooth flow of the writing andcm reciting; with one glaring exception: not once, but twice, Isaacson expresses admiration for Da Vinci proving the Biblical account of the Great Flood.....wrong? Excuse me???? DaVinci may have been a profound genius, but he was still a human being, and we should never presume that anyone is wiser or smarter than God, who caused and wrote the account of the Great Flood. Da Vinci, through Isaacson, claims that stratified layers on the tops of mountains prove the non-existence of a Flood, something happening at different times. To which I say, where's the proof? Did anything stop the flood from depositing these layers on top of another in succession? How do we dare contradict the Bible over a mere human being's curiosity? Aside from having this one glaring disagreement, I thought the book was excellent.

Leonardo DaVinci

I will look at any painting differently now. the book had a great influence on me.

An Amazing profile of a spectacular mind

Because Isaacson focuses on what makes Leonardo great, in addition to highlighting his flaws and failings - you get a much deeper, realistic sense of what it might have been like to be around him at that time and gain a better appreciation for his analysis and discoveries.

Powerful and Issacson does it again

Isaacson is a masterful biographer and once again he kills it with Da Vinci. He provides insight you never knew about. I suggest every one read this book.

AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY

beautiful and brilliant

"Genious hits a target that nobody else can see" Walter is able to put the reader in Leonardo's shoes to see his insatiable curiosity and strive for perfection. A true reading masterpiece !

Outstanding!

This was a fabulous insight into the greatest artist of all times. Alfred Molina was an excellent narrator. The writing was engaging. I loved this book and have been recommending it to everyone.

A masterpiece

I began this book weeks ago. It is a lot to take in. I do think it is one the best books I have ever read. He was a man of genius, child like wonder and curiosity. Thank you for giving us such a wonderful book About a brilliant and real man.