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How to Think Like da Vinci
Famed for creating some of the most iconic images in European art - including Mona Lisa and The Last Supper - Leonardo da Vinci has influenced generations of artists and thinkers, and continues to do so after more than 500 years. While we cannot hope to emulate his achievements, da Vinci showed an attitude towards life from which we can all learn. A true polymath, he was also a sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer and an anatomist and, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, da Vinci was never satisfied with what he had learned, frequently turning his mind to new, unexplored subjects. He saw links between art and science, and constantly pursued perfection and accuracy in his work, so that he developed many techniques we continue to use to this day. Combining these strengths with a unique imagination, da Vinci came up with designs for inventions centuries ahead of their time. In How to Think Like da Vinci, you too can learn to think like the Renaissance man, seize your opportunities, harness your talents, innovate and experiment and imagine the impossible. Read about this great man's life and achievements and develop your understanding of one of the world's most eclectic and extraordinary minds.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 8, 2015
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363 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 23, 2019
It’s actually a biography of da Vinci but certainly not a “how to” book which could have been shorter.
July 21, 2018
"How to Think Like da Vinci" is a short and quick read. The books reads sort of like an extended Wikipedia article - which isn't bad - in the sense that it gives an overview of da Vinci's life, works and mind but does not go into depth. If you wanted to explore one aspect of da Vinci's life in greater detail, this book you give you many good starting places.
Each chapter is short and focuses on a specific aspect of da Vinci's life. For example, there are chapters on his philosophy of nature in his art, how he played the markets and got patrons, and on his mathematical endeavors.
I feel like "How to Think Like da Vinci" is meant to be inspiring to anyone who wants to become a modern renaissance man.
If you like da Vinci and want to be inspired to be a renaissance man like he was, this is a good quick read to get you feeling motivated. It made me open my sketchbook while reading it!
Each chapter is short and focuses on a specific aspect of da Vinci's life. For example, there are chapters on his philosophy of nature in his art, how he played the markets and got patrons, and on his mathematical endeavors.
I feel like "How to Think Like da Vinci" is meant to be inspiring to anyone who wants to become a modern renaissance man.
If you like da Vinci and want to be inspired to be a renaissance man like he was, this is a good quick read to get you feeling motivated. It made me open my sketchbook while reading it!
May 15, 2017
www.kitapezgisi.com
Sevgili Dainel Smith;
Beni bu eşsiz zeka ile tanıştırdığın için çok teşekkür ediyorum. The Great Masters sergisinde az çok bu yaratıcı beynin incelikleri ile tanışma fırsatını elde etmiştim. O sergide de sadece bir ressam olarak bildiğim Da Vinci’nin aslında bir çok konuda araştırmalar yapan bir alim olduğunu gözlemlemek çok keyifliydi. Şimdi seneler sonra o serginin üzerine bir de bu kitabı okuyunca daha da bir pekişti Da Vinci’nin hayatı.
Geçmiş dönemin sanatçıları gibi aslında çok fazla maddi sorun çekmeden, ama beynini sonuna kadar kullanarak ve doğru insanlar ile iletişim kurarak nispeten daha rahat yaşamış bir ressam. Merak ettiği her konuyu araştırıyor olması ve neredeyse ilgisini çeken her alan için bir icatta bulunması beni çok etkiledi. Biz bazı şeyler için zamansızlıktan yakınıyorken bizim gibi bir günü 24 saat olan bu adam bir ömre bir çok şey sığdırmayı başarmış. Ve sanırım içinde hiçbir uhde kalmadan hayata gözlerini yummuş. Azim, inanç, kendisine güven ile birleşince başarılı olması da kaçınılmaz olmuş.
“Gibi Düşünmek” serisi benim için eşsiz ve öğretici bir seri oldu. Daha bir çok kişi var aklımda bu seriye dahil edilmesi gereken, ama tabii ki Daniel Smith’in ilgi alanı ve araştırmasına kalıyor bazı şeyler… Atatürk’ü de bu seride görmek mesela beni çok mutlu edecektir…
Sonuç olarak bu seriyi çok büyük keyifle okudum ve herkese de tavsiye ediyorum. Hayatı sorgulamak ve “ben ne yapıyorum?” diye sordurmak açısında her biri apayrı güzellikte kitaplar…
Sevgili Dainel Smith;
Beni bu eşsiz zeka ile tanıştırdığın için çok teşekkür ediyorum. The Great Masters sergisinde az çok bu yaratıcı beynin incelikleri ile tanışma fırsatını elde etmiştim. O sergide de sadece bir ressam olarak bildiğim Da Vinci’nin aslında bir çok konuda araştırmalar yapan bir alim olduğunu gözlemlemek çok keyifliydi. Şimdi seneler sonra o serginin üzerine bir de bu kitabı okuyunca daha da bir pekişti Da Vinci’nin hayatı.
Geçmiş dönemin sanatçıları gibi aslında çok fazla maddi sorun çekmeden, ama beynini sonuna kadar kullanarak ve doğru insanlar ile iletişim kurarak nispeten daha rahat yaşamış bir ressam. Merak ettiği her konuyu araştırıyor olması ve neredeyse ilgisini çeken her alan için bir icatta bulunması beni çok etkiledi. Biz bazı şeyler için zamansızlıktan yakınıyorken bizim gibi bir günü 24 saat olan bu adam bir ömre bir çok şey sığdırmayı başarmış. Ve sanırım içinde hiçbir uhde kalmadan hayata gözlerini yummuş. Azim, inanç, kendisine güven ile birleşince başarılı olması da kaçınılmaz olmuş.
“Gibi Düşünmek” serisi benim için eşsiz ve öğretici bir seri oldu. Daha bir çok kişi var aklımda bu seriye dahil edilmesi gereken, ama tabii ki Daniel Smith’in ilgi alanı ve araştırmasına kalıyor bazı şeyler… Atatürk’ü de bu seride görmek mesela beni çok mutlu edecektir…
Sonuç olarak bu seriyi çok büyük keyifle okudum ve herkese de tavsiye ediyorum. Hayatı sorgulamak ve “ben ne yapıyorum?” diye sordurmak açısında her biri apayrı güzellikte kitaplar…
May 10, 2020
Daniel Smith doesn't go into depth about Vinci's life, but the book gives a quick overview separated in chapters covering most of the aspects of da Vinci. Easy read.
February 15, 2023
As everyone out there I too got interested to know about Leonardo da Vinci – one of the greatest creative minds - an artist, engineer, anatomist, musician, architect and much more. As I researched for a book; I found Michael Gelb (the most popular, but expensive) and Daniel Smith. As many reviewers have commented, this book by Daniel Smith is more of a short- biography, than giving tips on who to think like da Vinci! I am fine with this format for a biography rather too much of mundane details (as in a typical biography)
This book is about 200 pages, soft-bound and the paper quality is very good; especially for me to make notes in the margin and paste sticky-notes😃. The book has 28 sections (each of 3-5 pages), detailing various aspects which makes da Vinci great i.e. his connect with nature, playfulness, reading extensively, making notes, uniting arts-n-science, to have a healthy professional rivalry and more. Out of the above mentioned 28 chapters/sections, about 8-10 sections have call-outs or we can also say subsections. To illustrate on one of the call-outs; while telling about da Vinci’s connect with nature, the author calls-out through a subsection discussing about da Vinci’s fascination, respect, obsession to (perfect the) representation of water in his work. Similar subsections include on - da Vinci’s for music, his fascination for flights, Vitruvian man and more. The book starts off with a list of his works (on which da Vinci is generally accepted as the major or sole contributor). Followed by some major milestones in the life of da Vinci. The book ends with a short list of references. The book draws a lot of facts from Giorgio Vasari’s book, In the lives of the Artists (1568) - which is like the 1st biography of da Vinci. I felt, if one of the contemporaries of da Vinci thinks it apt to write a biography; which tells at length about his fame-n-respect he had among his peers and contemporaries! Some of the sections-r-chapters end up not coming through with a strong justification for its title. Finally, I recommend this book to casual readers like-me for whom this would be their 1st book on da Vinci
To end this review, some personal conclusions/thoughts on da Vinci, after reading this book -
1. As we all know many-a-times, the geniuses in a person also makes him a complex individual - such is the case with da Vinci. His unstable-n-volatile behavior came at a cost of many unfinished projects and disgruntled patrons. His obsession with learning something new also came at a cost!
2. Gave a lot of importance of education and self-learning. I think the most intriguing fact for me was his note-taking habit and the sheer volume of his notes. Almost 13k pages (some suggest more pages), which he started at his 37 year of age (aka 1490), making-up some 25 note-books
3. Also he gave a lot of importance to observation before starting on many of his work. In addition he conducted a lot of thought experiments. He recommended travelling to learn better of the world, as an artist!
4. To share my thoughts on da Vinci as a person, I think the author has aptly put it as - He was a man with whom dark and light coexisted in close proximity. The book deals at lengths on his personal life, including his religious and sexual orientation. I also get a feel he was shrewd and with good business acumen. da Vinci was well groomed with a metrosexual image contrary to the popular image like a wizard (old man with long beard), but his health deteriorated in his later years
5. As it is a common knowledge, that da Vinci was a master of many skills Civil Engg., Metallurgy, Anatomy, building bridges, maps, town planning, flights (his greatest passion as we all know). But to me his skill as a costume designer was “new”. Similarly “his brush” with developing arms-n-ammunitions, his cooking skills (developing new recipes, designing banquets) were some facts which I learnt from this book! As we know he had a scientific bent-of-mind… proponent of multidisciplinary cohesion and didn’t attach to the cultural and religious dogma of his days
This book is about 200 pages, soft-bound and the paper quality is very good; especially for me to make notes in the margin and paste sticky-notes😃. The book has 28 sections (each of 3-5 pages), detailing various aspects which makes da Vinci great i.e. his connect with nature, playfulness, reading extensively, making notes, uniting arts-n-science, to have a healthy professional rivalry and more. Out of the above mentioned 28 chapters/sections, about 8-10 sections have call-outs or we can also say subsections. To illustrate on one of the call-outs; while telling about da Vinci’s connect with nature, the author calls-out through a subsection discussing about da Vinci’s fascination, respect, obsession to (perfect the) representation of water in his work. Similar subsections include on - da Vinci’s for music, his fascination for flights, Vitruvian man and more. The book starts off with a list of his works (on which da Vinci is generally accepted as the major or sole contributor). Followed by some major milestones in the life of da Vinci. The book ends with a short list of references. The book draws a lot of facts from Giorgio Vasari’s book, In the lives of the Artists (1568) - which is like the 1st biography of da Vinci. I felt, if one of the contemporaries of da Vinci thinks it apt to write a biography; which tells at length about his fame-n-respect he had among his peers and contemporaries! Some of the sections-r-chapters end up not coming through with a strong justification for its title. Finally, I recommend this book to casual readers like-me for whom this would be their 1st book on da Vinci
To end this review, some personal conclusions/thoughts on da Vinci, after reading this book -
1. As we all know many-a-times, the geniuses in a person also makes him a complex individual - such is the case with da Vinci. His unstable-n-volatile behavior came at a cost of many unfinished projects and disgruntled patrons. His obsession with learning something new also came at a cost!
2. Gave a lot of importance of education and self-learning. I think the most intriguing fact for me was his note-taking habit and the sheer volume of his notes. Almost 13k pages (some suggest more pages), which he started at his 37 year of age (aka 1490), making-up some 25 note-books
3. Also he gave a lot of importance to observation before starting on many of his work. In addition he conducted a lot of thought experiments. He recommended travelling to learn better of the world, as an artist!
4. To share my thoughts on da Vinci as a person, I think the author has aptly put it as - He was a man with whom dark and light coexisted in close proximity. The book deals at lengths on his personal life, including his religious and sexual orientation. I also get a feel he was shrewd and with good business acumen. da Vinci was well groomed with a metrosexual image contrary to the popular image like a wizard (old man with long beard), but his health deteriorated in his later years
5. As it is a common knowledge, that da Vinci was a master of many skills Civil Engg., Metallurgy, Anatomy, building bridges, maps, town planning, flights (his greatest passion as we all know). But to me his skill as a costume designer was “new”. Similarly “his brush” with developing arms-n-ammunitions, his cooking skills (developing new recipes, designing banquets) were some facts which I learnt from this book! As we know he had a scientific bent-of-mind… proponent of multidisciplinary cohesion and didn’t attach to the cultural and religious dogma of his days
August 17, 2024
What a fucking wasted potential, that's right a waste is what it is. There would honestly be so much potential and great insights in teaching people to think like Da Vinci himself. But no, this is a fkn biography and it even fails at that.
Sure, there are some lessons here and there, but it's also so poorly structured which makes it hard to remember. I expected full on this book would give me a how to lesson on thinking like da vinci (that's the title!) But this book is just an Ill-carpented biography and sometimes the weirdest lessons to offer. For ex, there's a chapter titled "How to eat like da Vinci" Honestly wtf.
However, useful lessons like unite "art & science" and "commune w/ nature" Have been written so poorly. The author has no wit whatsoever and not even good observation on how da Vinci actually thinks , despite him yapping on how much of a great observer da Vinci was , the author himself fails to follow what he preaches.
The book is so horribly structured, it's insane. Every chapter is a waste of potential. The author Robert Greene does a way better job giving lessons from leonardos life in the book 'Mastery' despite the book is not specific to da Vinci. But it's not ALL BAD. There's a reason I've rated it a 2 and not 1 , obv when you read about someones life, you'll learn, but this is a biography disguised as a "how to think" Book. Well, it would catch a readers attention wouldn't it? Instead of a biography? (Not true for me but for others). IIt
So, a cleverly disguised book which gives a biography of da Vinci and gives the most obvious lessons for which Da vinci is known for. Huh, youll gain knowledge but ffs this couldve been so much better. It would be like writing a book on ben franklins way of thinking and giving the most obvious lessons and well A MINI BIOGRAPHY. Da vincis way of thinking is so much more than what this book presents I'm sure I'll learn way more from walter isaacsons biography of him. Huh, Sorry for being rude but peace...
Sure, there are some lessons here and there, but it's also so poorly structured which makes it hard to remember. I expected full on this book would give me a how to lesson on thinking like da vinci (that's the title!) But this book is just an Ill-carpented biography and sometimes the weirdest lessons to offer. For ex, there's a chapter titled "How to eat like da Vinci" Honestly wtf.
However, useful lessons like unite "art & science" and "commune w/ nature" Have been written so poorly. The author has no wit whatsoever and not even good observation on how da Vinci actually thinks , despite him yapping on how much of a great observer da Vinci was , the author himself fails to follow what he preaches.
The book is so horribly structured, it's insane. Every chapter is a waste of potential. The author Robert Greene does a way better job giving lessons from leonardos life in the book 'Mastery' despite the book is not specific to da Vinci. But it's not ALL BAD. There's a reason I've rated it a 2 and not 1 , obv when you read about someones life, you'll learn, but this is a biography disguised as a "how to think" Book. Well, it would catch a readers attention wouldn't it? Instead of a biography? (Not true for me but for others). IIt
So, a cleverly disguised book which gives a biography of da Vinci and gives the most obvious lessons for which Da vinci is known for. Huh, youll gain knowledge but ffs this couldve been so much better. It would be like writing a book on ben franklins way of thinking and giving the most obvious lessons and well A MINI BIOGRAPHY. Da vincis way of thinking is so much more than what this book presents I'm sure I'll learn way more from walter isaacsons biography of him. Huh, Sorry for being rude but peace...
April 26, 2025
Extremely basic book. If you're actually trying to improve your thinking abilities you’re better served with How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life and Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, for the creative spirit that was undoubtedly an important part of Da Vinci’s thought.
Now looking for a commentary of the notebooks or a proper biography of Leonardo.
Not to be confused with How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day !
Now looking for a commentary of the notebooks or a proper biography of Leonardo.
Not to be confused with How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day !
June 27, 2019
To get this straight, this is not a how-to guide. This is a quick caption of his life chaptered into a brush stoke of all his personal and professional endeavors. I’m happy to say this was not as fleshed out as I wanted it to be — which is good! I’m truly into him! (Him, being da Vinci...) This isn’t the book I wanted, but I didn’t know that until going through this one. Too often I think I like things, will spend too much money in the beginning, and only to realize those things weren’t what I initially chalked them up to be. I’m pleased to announce I started with a $5 Barnes and Noble, which Segway-ed itself to a fascination. Curiosity to fascination.
The gateway book. So be it.
Now, I’m going to try and keep my eyes pealed for the Walter Isaacson edition...
The gateway book. So be it.
Now, I’m going to try and keep my eyes pealed for the Walter Isaacson edition...
May 8, 2017
A light book discussing Leonardo da Vinci very briefly. Reminds me a lot of the documentary I watched back then on History channel. It might have made me buy this book, other than it was on sale.
This book touched the significant things that made da Vinci, da famous Vinci. Wished the author would include more original quotes and texts from da Vinci himself, as they are all brilliant.
Quite a good and easy read for me.
This book touched the significant things that made da Vinci, da famous Vinci. Wished the author would include more original quotes and texts from da Vinci himself, as they are all brilliant.
Quite a good and easy read for me.
February 26, 2020
What a waste of time!!
The book was awfully dreadful and tedious. I couldn't finish it despite being a big fan of Da Vinci and I’ve been always considering him as one of the most well-known, multi-talented intellect who was excelled in arts and was visionary in both as a theoretical and applied scientist. I highly recommend the other readers to watch documentaries about Da Vanci instead of wasting time reading this book.
The book was awfully dreadful and tedious. I couldn't finish it despite being a big fan of Da Vinci and I’ve been always considering him as one of the most well-known, multi-talented intellect who was excelled in arts and was visionary in both as a theoretical and applied scientist. I highly recommend the other readers to watch documentaries about Da Vanci instead of wasting time reading this book.
December 16, 2017
I always enjoy reading about Leonardo da Vinci. There is much about him to admire and emulate, especially his respect and awe of nature. This book is a basic overview of his many talents and achievements.
January 8, 2021
I read the book mistakenly instead of „How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci“ by Michael Gelb, and noticed it just now.
It‘s just a shallow review of Leonardo‘s life, not going deep at all and definitely not a How-to book, mainly based on quotes, nothing original...
It‘s just a shallow review of Leonardo‘s life, not going deep at all and definitely not a How-to book, mainly based on quotes, nothing original...
August 29, 2017
Not a bad read, I just felt like it was kinda average. A biography on Da Vinci with some background. That's kinda it. I don't think this is much of a how to, rather than a peak into Da Vinci's life.
February 1, 2019
It’s good to become familiar with Davinci. But I think this book could be written in at most one-third of its pages .
July 25, 2020
thú zị đó
January 7, 2021
A good read reflecting on life of da Vinci
January 24, 2021
"Ey zaman! Her şeyin tüketicisi, ey kıskanç yıllar! Her şeyi yok ediyor, acımasız dişlerinizle her şeyi azar azar ve ağır ağır gelen bir ölümle yiyip yutuyorsunuz."
May 12, 2021
I read the reviews and was surprised. I liked this book. I took little nuggets from it to apply to my own creative life. I found it interesting and highlight worthy
February 2, 2022
Livro interessante que explora várias das facetas da pessoa notável que foi Leonardo Da Vinci. Perde um pouco por ser demasiado extenso.
July 8, 2023
Поверхнева легенька біографія да Вінчі.
Думаю, чудово зайде, якщо не знайомі із життєписом митця.
Думаю, чудово зайде, якщо не знайомі із життєписом митця.
March 18, 2024
داوینچی که بود
در طول زندگی داوینچی چه اتفاقاتی افتاد
سیر تحولات زندگی داوینچی
و تاریخچه نقاشی ها و اختراعات داوینچی
اینها چیزهایی هستند که در این کتاب میخوانید
در طول زندگی داوینچی چه اتفاقاتی افتاد
سیر تحولات زندگی داوینچی
و تاریخچه نقاشی ها و اختراعات داوینچی
اینها چیزهایی هستند که در این کتاب میخوانید
March 10, 2025
2025- mar
January 30, 2022
"just" a brief bio of Leonardo, nothing to do with "how to think like....".
If you never red about Leonardo, can start from this one.
If you never red about Leonardo, can start from this one.
March 31, 2023
3.5/5
Very solid read. The book gives a short intro into many aspects of Leo’s life. I recommend it for anyone who wants to know a little bit more about the painter of the most famous painting.
After reading this book, I got interested in Da Vinci’s work and will learn more about it in the future.
Very solid read. The book gives a short intro into many aspects of Leo’s life. I recommend it for anyone who wants to know a little bit more about the painter of the most famous painting.
After reading this book, I got interested in Da Vinci’s work and will learn more about it in the future.
August 24, 2023
Було цікаво ознайомитись з біографією митця. Мені сподобалось.
June 9, 2016
Brief biography of DaVinci merged with tips on how to be a "renaissance man or woman." DaVinci was an accomplished painter, sculptor, architect and innovator. He also had interests in anatomy, civil engineering, philosophy, politics, religion, mathematics and science. Though he came from very humble beginnings and birth, he was largely a self-made man who took upon himself his education and training.
I've also read Michael Gelb's books on Leonardo and also recommend them for reference. Smith's work was succinct, inspiring and a pleasure to read.
I've also read Michael Gelb's books on Leonardo and also recommend them for reference. Smith's work was succinct, inspiring and a pleasure to read.
December 20, 2015
Da Vinci ist eine faszinierende Person, von der man meistens aber nicht so viel weiß. Viele bezeichnen ihn als Vorbild, vor allem da er als Paradebeispiel für ein Universalgenie gilt. In diesem Buch erfahren wir allerdings noch viel mehr über Da Vinci's Persönlichkeit, auch jene Aspekte, die man als negativ bezeichnem könnte.
In diesem Buch wird mit den vorhandenen Informationen ein umfassendes Bild von Da Vinci gezeichnet. Sehr empfehlenswert.
In diesem Buch wird mit den vorhandenen Informationen ein umfassendes Bild von Da Vinci gezeichnet. Sehr empfehlenswert.
April 3, 2022
Leonardo da Vinci, birçok insan gibi benim de hayranlık duyduğum bir sanatçı, mimar, filozof, mühendis... Daniel Smith'in yazmış olduğu bu kitap, daha önce karşılaşmadığım türden bir kitap. Da Vinci'yi başka açılardan da görebilmemize ışık tutan bir kitap. Anlatımı yeterince akıcı ve okuması da zevkli...
February 8, 2018
Another favorite read from childhood! its a shame I lost the book.
Read
May 18, 2019Good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews