Leonardo da Vinci was one of history's true geniuses, equally brilliant as an artist, scientist, and mathematician. Readers of read full description
reviews
Aug 09, 2011
Mark
rated it: 
As other reviewers note, the title is a bit misleading. Leonardo Da Vinci, the “part-time artist [who] produced the epitome of art”, is the somewhat weak link by which the author tries to hold the book together (only a few chapters are exclusively devoted to him). Leonardo’s importance may be summarized by: “In this one man’s works there is more cross-semination of ideas from different intellectual worlds than among the works of generations of specialists in any number of disciplines.”
Early on More...
Early on More...
Mar 17, 2011
Wendi
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Despite the size of this book (a smaller hardback just brushing 300 pages) and despite my earnest attempt to devote time to it (as necessitated by reading it for a final project for math class), it seemed to take forever to get through it. And I cheated.
I found this a frustrating narrative. I was enthralled by the personal and professional details regarding Leonardo but skimmed through pages of math far beyond my comprehension. I don't pretend to be anywhere near competent in math but More...
I found this a frustrating narrative. I was enthralled by the personal and professional details regarding Leonardo but skimmed through pages of math far beyond my comprehension. I don't pretend to be anywhere near competent in math but More...
Dec 29, 2009
Kathryn
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What a wonderful book! This book traces the history of math, and relates known math concepts to art and nature. I was fascinated by this book, and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in math first, and art second.
Feb 15, 2011
Linda
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The style of writing is not to my liking. Bulent Atalay, obviously a polymath, is telling and teaching. Again, this is one of those books I made myself read, but not enjoyable reading.
Aug 11, 2011
Bought this one for my engineer husband, but enjoyed it myself. A fascinating topic. Once I read it I began to see Fibonacci curves everywhere I looked!
Mar 24, 2010
Lena
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I liked the second half of this book better than the first. The first half was a lot of math history, and I learned a lot of that in my math history class in college. Interesting, but I already knew much of it. After a while, I wanted to say to the author, "I get it! The golden ratio is everywhere!" I really liked the two chapters specifically about Leonardo. He seems fascinating, and I wouldn't mind reading more about him. I did really enjoy the last few chapters which were more of a
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Jan 22, 2009
Caleb
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Pretty interesting. Perhaps make too bold of statements. Could have been half as long.
Sep 15, 2010
Heather
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This caught my eye in a museum gift shop. I really wanted to know how it linked math and science to art. I'm really glad that I bought this book because it opened my eyes several fascinating correspondences between mathematical theory and artistic rendering. This book really gave me a fresh new perspective on how I look at art and beauty.
Although the book discusses specific mathematical concepts and equations I did not feel overwhelmed with them coming from a non-math perspective. Th More...
Although the book discusses specific mathematical concepts and equations I did not feel overwhelmed with them coming from a non-math perspective. Th More...
Aug 31, 2011
Jim
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Wonderful illustration of the science and art weave that is found in every da Vinci painting, drawing and more.
Dec 17, 2009
Blake
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written by my old prof of physics - whom I adore! Like his lectures, the book is interesting, filled with lots of good tid-bits, but jumps around some.
Interesting none the less.
Recommend reading it while next to the internet, so you can look up more about a lot of the things he is discussing - there is a lack of pictoral images
Interesting none the less.
Recommend reading it while next to the internet, so you can look up more about a lot of the things he is discussing - there is a lack of pictoral images
Dec 17, 2009
Lourdes
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It is a fascinating book, though some of the math is quite a bit above my head. I am enjoying the discovering how math is used in art. For instance, I finally have a good understanding of the "golden rectangle." Other golden proportions I understand by sight and feel and don't get the math.
A very interesting read.
A very interesting read.
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Apr 18, 2008
Candace
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An incredible compilation and comparison of science and art. Discussion of mathematics, geometry, and their appearance in art throughout history. Excellent reminder of why everyone should learn the Pythagorean theorem and da Vinci's incredible application of science to art and art to science.
Feb 01, 2008
Lisa
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Fabulous book! Fascinating read in to the life of da Vinci, he was a brilliant man in many areas. This book is especially meaningful to me as my daughter bought it for me on her school trip to DC this summer - she knows I love math and well, my name is Lisa. (Her reasons for buying it for me!)
Sep 05, 2007
Stacy
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My math comprehension is laughable, so I continue to read books like this in hopes I will have an epiphany. If you like art and exploring the golden ratio you might find this book interesting.
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