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Leonardo da Vinci

Written by: Walter Isaacson
Narrated by: Alfred Molina
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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

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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!

4 people found this helpful

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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.

4 people found this helpful

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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.

2 people found this helpful

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  • DHR
  • 2018-08-26

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.

2 people found this helpful

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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.

1 person found this helpful

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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yep

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

1 person found this helpful

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  • Chris M.
  • 2017-11-13

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.

337 people found this helpful

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  • Bikerclimber
  • 2017-10-19

Isaacson uncovers Leonardo, Molina is great

Isaacson is a master, and does it again, succinctly conveying what made Leonardo such a change force in human history. I have to defend narrator Alfred Molina, as I saw one review that said the listener didn't care for his narration - I found him thoroughly enjoyable and made this an easy listen.
As most of us do, if I don't know the narrator I listen to the sample to see if I can stand the narrator, and will skip the audiobook if I don't care for the narrator. With this book, the audio sample is Isaacson reading the introduction, at least for the first few minutes I listened. It would be better if the sample used was Molina, as we could judge for ourselves. As with art, each narrator is a personal preference.

184 people found this helpful

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  • heather
  • 2017-11-02

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.

109 people found this helpful

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  • Mistress Amanita
  • 2017-10-19

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!

82 people found this helpful

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  • J.B.
  • 2017-10-26

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.

78 people found this helpful

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  • Ellen H.
  • 2017-10-23

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?

70 people found this helpful

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  • John Chapman
  • 2017-11-13

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

56 people found this helpful

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  • Ch.U.
  • 2017-10-29

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.

56 people found this helpful

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  • Paul
  • 2017-10-18

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.

40 people found this helpful

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  • nicholas
  • 2017-10-23

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.

31 people found this helpful

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  • LUC DELFOSSE
  • 2022-08-28

Brillant and Luminous

This biography should be read by anyone. Not only the genius of Leonardo is brillantly described and perfectly demonstrated, but the story is an inspiration for all. The best of what humans are capable to produce appears here luminously.
The parallel with Steve Jobs was expectable and proves that science cannot ignore beauty.
Great book indeed!
Luc Delfosse

1 person found this helpful

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  • Jan Wilker
  • 2022-06-11

Disappointing

It's a pity that out of such an incredible person one can do such such dull biography. Isaacson doesn't manage to tell the story of the person and his time but rather chronologically describes his artworks.

1 person found this helpful

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  • Sachi
  • 2022-02-14

Fascinating

insightful, introspective, vivid and captivating account of probably the most brilliant and creative human mind ever.

1 person found this helpful