This is a truly remarkable biography, full of new details from Leonardo's notebooks as well as insightful connections by the author. Leonardo's life iThis is a truly remarkable biography, full of new details from Leonardo's notebooks as well as insightful connections by the author. Leonardo's life is presented in mostly chronological order, but Isaacson makes smart detours to draw illustrative connections between activities in Leonardo's life - connections that brilliantly inform us of what "genius" is all about. The final chapter attempts to define genius, and the final page of the book is a witty and entertaining way to sum up the genius that was Leonardo. I was captivated the whole way....more
FYI, I am NOT a professional book reader :) This book is possibly the best historical non-fiction book I've ever read. Weatherford has great skill in FYI, I am NOT a professional book reader :) This book is possibly the best historical non-fiction book I've ever read. Weatherford has great skill in keeping the reader engaged, the story flowing, and for deftly taking enlightening side trips. His style includes introducing complex groups of people and topics quickly, then revisiting them just often enough to remind the reader of key points while also giving more depth to the story. It was a bit like listening to a truly great lecturer...you know, like that rare professor who can really bring thier subject to life and make learning seem easy? I had not read his best seller, "Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World". I look forward to reading that now. I expect that there is much overlap between these books regarding the mere factual events of Genghis Khan' s rise to power. The emphasis of this book, however, is well developed by Weatherford at the outset and he revisits it throughout the text without wearing it out (mostly). The epilogue even has a scintillating story of the strange connection between Genghis Khan and an America vice President, Henry Wallace. He shared the Whitehouse with FDR, and without spoiling things let me say that the whole tale sounds like perfect fodder for an Indiana Jones movie.
I wish the book had more maps...i love them, and they help visualize such a geographically extensive setting. I also would have liked a family tree, but I see there is one in the earlier book. Regardless of a few quibbles, this is an excellent read and I highly recommend it. Learning this stuff should be required on all college campuses....more
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