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The #1 New York Times bestseller from Walter Isaacson brings Leonardo da Vinci to life in this exciting new biography that is “a study in creativity: how to define it, how to achieve it…Most important, it is a powerful story of an exhilarating mind and life” (The New Yorker).Based on thousands of pages from Leonardo da Vinci’s astonishing notebooks and new discoveries about his life and work, Walter Isaacson “deftly reveals an intimate Leonardo” (San Francisco Chronicle) in a narrative that connects his art to his science. He shows how Leonardo’s genius was based on skills we can improve in ourselves, such as passionate curiosity, careful observation, and an imagination so playful that it flirted with fantasy. He produced the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. With a passion that sometimes became obsessive, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. He explored the math of optics, showed how light rays strike the cornea, and produced illusions of changing perspectives in The Last Supper. 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. In the “luminous” (Daily Beast) Leonardo da Vinci, Isaacson describes how Leonardo’s delight at combining diverse passions remains the ultimate recipe for creativity. So, too, does his ease at being a bit of a misfit: illegitimate, gay, vegetarian, left-handed, easily distracted, and at times heretical. His life should remind us of the importance to be imaginative and, like talented rebels in any era, to think different. Here, da Vinci “comes to life in all his remarkable brilliance and oddity in Walter Isaacson’s ambitious new biography…a vigorous, insightful portrait” (The Washington Post).

Leonardo da Vinci: The Biography by Walter Isaacson

In his captivating biography, Walter Isaacson brings to life the remarkable figure of Leonardo da Vinci, a man who was at once an artist, inventor, engineer, scientist, and visionary. Isaacson delves into Leonardo's childhood in Renaissance Italy, exploring the influences that shaped his extraordinary talents. He follows Leonardo's journey as he travels from Florence to Milan to Rome, leaving behind a trail of unfinished masterpieces and revolutionary ideas.

Isaacson skillfully weaves together Leonardo's personal life and his creative endeavors, painting a vivid portrait of a man who was both brilliant and deeply flawed. He illuminates Leonardo's struggles with procrastination, his unconventional relationships, and his insatiable curiosity that led him to explore everything from anatomy to astronomy. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Isaacson reveals the inner workings of Leonardo's mind, offering readers a glimpse into the genius that produced some of the world's most iconic works of art and groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

Discover the Renaissance Man:

• Explore Leonardo da Vinci's multifaceted talents as an artist, inventor, engineer, scientist, and visionary.
• Journey through Leonardo's life, from his early years in Florence to his travels across Italy, and witness the birth of his groundbreaking ideas.
• Uncover the secrets behind Leonardo's enigmatic smile and delve into his relationships with patrons, rivals, and muses.

Experience the Masterpieces:

• Admire Leonardo's iconic paintings, including the "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper," and gain insights into their symbolism and techniques.
• Explore Leonardo's scientific drawings and anatomical studies, revealing his deep understanding of the human body and the natural world.
• Witness Leonardo's inventions come to life, from his flying machines to his underwater breathing apparatus.

Unravel the Mysteries:

• Investigate the hidden messages and symbolism within Leonardo's works, including the enigmatic "Vitruvian Man" and the controversial "Codex Leicester."
• Uncover the secrets of Leonardo's notebooks, filled with sketches, notes, and observations that offer a glimpse into his creative process.
• Explore the ongoing debate surrounding Leonardo's legacy and the enduring fascination with his life and work.

Journey into the Mind of a Genius:

Leonardo da Vinci was a true Renaissance man, whose insatiable curiosity and boundless imagination left an indelible mark on history. Walter Isaacson's biography offers a captivating exploration of Leonardo's life and work, providing readers with a deeper understanding of this extraordinary figure and his enduring legacy.