Rating: 
Summary: Remembering da Vinci!
Review: With great pleasure I welcomed this new book about da Vinci's life. I spent the day at da Vinci's home in Amboise several years ago; what struck me about that visit was the immediacy and depth of my experiences there, the way my memories of that day were enhanced in such an awesome place. Gelb's book takes me back to that time and place, of course, but more importantly, reading this book applauded my curiousity, appreciated my respect for the wonders of the world, and restored my faith in our tomorrows. Moreover, the brief assessments and numerous activities and exercises are as interesting to read as they are to try. There are clear health benefits to implementing some of the suggestions, but more than that Gelb helps renew the spark that is sometimes sabotaged in the madness of our lives.
Rating: 
Summary: A very interesting life
Review: I received this book as a gift in the hospital. I usually don't enjoy seven- or twelve- or nine hundred-step self-help guides, but this one was much more interesting because of the details Gelb used from Leonardo's life. While I didn't learn much about the man deep down inside, the tidbits provided me with more of an idea about who "the maestro" really was.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, but not excellent
Review: Michael Gelb presents a layman's understanding of the habits and history surrounding Leonardo da Vinci. His premise is a simple one, copy these habits, and your life will be enriched. Of course, for the everyman, this involves drills - forcing yourself to follow a step-by-step method as prescribed by the author. I agree with Gelb's essential motivation, that da Vinci is an excellent person to model your life after, but have found that a study of da Vinci from an historical perspective may well befit those seeking to follow his life as example. Start with Bramley and Reynold's Leonardo, then try the reproductions, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vince, Volumes 1 and 2. You'll enjoy it more, and come away much more knowledgeable.
Rating:
Summary: A Practical Guide to Awakening the Sleeping Genius in you
Review: This book shows you the techniques to becoming a free thinking Renaissance man. Leonardo da Vinci had certain personality traits and habits. By copying those habits, it's possible to expand your own intellectual level.
Rating: 
Summary: How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci : Seven Steps to Genius
Review: I agree with an earlier reader that the title is great, however, the book is not at all what I expected. The author is very knowledgable about Leonardo da Vinci but the material is presented in a very dry method, which makes it hard to read to the end of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I read this book because of the reviews and must say I was highly dissapointed. It's a shallow book that simply relates the obvious. The best thing about the book is its title. There are a lot of thoughtful books on creative thinking out there. This is not one.
Rating:
Summary: A great step towards becoming a free thinker!
Review: I picked this book up after the title grabbed me from the bookstore shelf and was instantly hooked. I've always admired DaVinci greatly and couldn't resist reading anything that could shed some light on his creative thinking process. Will reading this book make you a genius? Probably not. What it will do, however, is open up avenues in your mind that you probably never thought existed. It has some great techniques on how to "think outside the box" and will be helpful to anyone who needs to address a group of others on learning issues. (I am a training instructor and have discussed some of this book's techniques with my students) I walked away from this book with a whole new outlook on learning and whole brain thinking, and have found myself reflecting on it when trying to compose creative writing and solve problems. The price of this book was well worth it...it has given me many, many returns on my investment.
Rating:
Summary: get this book if you want to broaden your view of the world
Review: This is a truly excellent book on why Leonardo thought the way he did, as well as how to get there yourself. My wife picked it up for me at the library, and I was so enthralled by it that I almost immediately purchased it (this is from someone trying to cut down on book purchases...) I highly recommend getting the workbook as well.
Rating:
Summary: How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci : Seven Steps to Genius
Review: How to Think Like Leonardo Da Vinci : Seven Steps to Genius Every Da
Rating:
Summary: Less than meets the eye
Review: I have heard that Mr. Gelb is a gifted presenter and facilitator in the field of enhanced learning, so I bought this book based on his reputation. I must say, however, that despite the lovely presentation and rich illustrations, the insights in this book were often obvious or spread too thinly. Maybe I'm not representative of his readers, but I did not learn much in these pages. And the title is preposterous. Does Mr. Gelb really think that his own genius is in a league with Leonardo's?
|
