Listen free for 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Leonardo da Vinci cover art

Leonardo da Vinci

Written by: Walter Isaacson
Narrated by: Alfred Molina
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $47.03

Buy Now for $47.03

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

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.

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 Audio

What listeners say about Leonardo da Vinci

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    281
  • 4 Stars
    67
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    265
  • 4 Stars
    46
  • 3 Stars
    10
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    242
  • 4 Stars
    54
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible way to learn about history science and art

I started out knowing nothing about art generally and nothing about da Vinci. The book is a joy and sucks you into the life of da Vinci, the period in Italy, the astounding curiosity that led to the incredible art and finally why the Mona Lisa matters. On a side note, I saw my first live da Vinci at the National Gallery in London and it was awesome to appreciate the painting in a deep way. Thanks Walter!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The best thing I’ve read in “forever”!

A most astonishing, extremely well researched and accessibly
delivered work! Couldn’t tear myself away!
The PDF Is a must! Be sure to download it and refer to it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Missing access to Works of Art Reviewed

I had a hard time looking up the works of art discussed. This was meant to be accompanied by a pamflet/ book of Lionardo's works.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Insightful and Analytical

Crystal clear audio with brilliant and smooth narration, the content itself was very insightful though the author spent more time focusing on the analysis of Da Vinci's work as opposed to his personal life and oddities.
Still an excellent introduction to one of the world's most renowned creators.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Headline

I thought it was about Leonardo Da Vinci, but according to Alfred Molina, it is about someone named LayaNallladoe. They, ironically have very similar lives and so, it is still very interesting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I wish I had a time machine

Isaacson’s biography is incredibly well researched. Five hundred years after his death DaVinci remains such an enigmatic figure that you cannot wish having read this book to know more of him.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well worth listening to

Who has not heard of Leonardo da Vinci? Yet how much does the average person actually know about him? This wonderfully written book reveals to us the man that Leonardo was, the historical context in which he lived, which included well known figures such as Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Cesare Borgia, and Leonardo’s amazing accomplishments in many diverse fields. One is left in wonder that such a person lived, and one is thankful too for the social and economic environment that allowed a man like Leonardo to devote himself to such varied pursuits. There is much to ponder here. Molina is an excellent reader, whose tone seemed to me just right for the material. It is a delight to hear his Italian pronunciation. We also get to hear Isaacson’s own voice in the introduction and conclusion.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Describe the tongue of the woodpecker....

Amazing book and performance. da Vinci's life will astound you, as will Molina's measured and capitvating reading.

PS You will understand the title of this review once you give the book a listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

It just drew on

This book doesn’t need to be as long as it is at all. I feel that it just goes on and on when a few chapters would have done. I know nothing about art, though, so perhaps I’m just not the audience for it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

yep

The narrator meant well, but talked a bit fast and impersonally. one two three four.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful