Leonardo's Notebooks: Writing and Art of the Great Master (Notebook Series)

This wonderful book (which is also very inexpensive) is an outstanding way to understand how Leonardo saw, studied, examined the world and his beginning to develop a (never completed) series of books on painting, architecture, and other major topics. He sometimes talks to himself in his notes, sometimes addresses a potential student or apprentice. Sometimes he argues mutually opposing views on (presumably) different occasions. You begin to comprehend his relentless quest for understanding of all things in the world. The flexi binding is beautifully done, with elegant curved page edges. The sepia or b/w reproductions are very good. I have only one wish to improve this fine book: to know the codex from which each excerpt was taken. In that way one could infer how his thinking, seen in these notes grouped by this skilled editor together, is from one codex (and so likely done in a short period of time) or are from many different times and places.

I purchased this book to further explore Da Vinci's concepts of beauty and aesthetics, particularly on beauty of the human face. As a facial plastic and cosmetic surgeon, I'm constantly seeking to learn more about our concepts facial beauty across various cultures. Da Vinci's notes on the ideal facial proportions was enlightening. After reading this chapter, it's no secret why he was a master of his crafts as a painter and sculptor. He was able to recreate beauty observed in nature because he understand how divine proportions fit together. The reproductions of his original of his original notes in sepia tone was quite good and made reading this book very enjoyable. Definitely a soon-to-be classic for coffee tables and my cosmetic surgery reception room. [...]

Great book with clear photos of his artwork and notes. What a man ahead of his time!

This is a great book that I had been looking forward to getting for a while. The images and writting is good, although a bit hard to understand at times. The ONLY problem I have with this book that gets it a 4 out of 5 stars for me is the fact that it is so tall and wide. Granted it makes looking at the pictures much easier but it also makes storage of this book MUCH harder. The book is to tall to stand on any but the top shelf on all of my book shelfs and it is so wide that it protudes from the edge of the shelf. Don't let this distract you from getting this book however. It's detailed pictures are wonderful considering the orginal size of the works and the translations help with the reading. There's a section for each catagory, such as anatomy and lighting, which really helps if you want to look at certain types of works. The greatness of these pictures will have you looking at each page for hours, just to see all the details. I would suggest this book for anyone from an art lover to a history fanatic. I use it as a reference book for one of my drawing classes. It's a great buy for anyone and everyone.

This is a beautiful look at the genius that is Leonardo. The reproductions are beautiful and clear. The quotes from Leonardo are well translated and significant. This is a book for anyone wanting to dig deeper into the thoughts of Leonardo. I'm not trying to stir controversy, but after looking closely at the Vetruvian Man and other work in this book which assert the Golden Ratio in the human body, it is beyond me how anyone can believe that there was not a Designer behind it. Now whether that Designer used DNA, evolution or created our bodies from the dust is beyond me, but our bodies are a living miracle. In spite of belief or lack of it, this is an inspirational book from one of the greatest minds of all time.

Very nice book. Skimmed through it briefly and it has complete notes translated to English. Very happy with quality and content, lots of his illustrations.

Took a chance on the flex binding and it’s excellent. Book is as well done as more expensive versions,

This object (more than a book) is so beautiful, interesting, substantial, and accessible. Do you want to do this right? An author (person) I admire unqualifiedly (don't know him personally, ummm qualified?) who is soooo well learned, insightful, and articulate, is in a state of complete admiration of Di Vinci...and in his usual articulation, explains why in his book...Fritjof Capra, The Science of Leonardo...buy both, read the Capra, then you will appteciate that you have this amazing piece...enjoy

Most interesting read. Loads of wisdom.

I just love gawking at these sketches and writings that I can't read even with a mirror because of the difficult handwriting (mine is also bad apparently, so I guess I shouldn't be talking too much XD). But, fortunately, each sketches that features writing is accompanied by a translation. It's amazing that we still have access to so much art and writing by da Vinci after 500 years. I'm just awestruck by the fact!

Leonardo's Notebooks ist ganz einfach reizend. Es kombiniert Leonardo Da Vinci's Entwürfe und Zeichnungen mit seine Notizen, die bisher in seine viele Notizbücher durcheinander standen. Jetzt sind sie alle die entsprechende Zeichnungen zusammen gestellt. Ein wunderschön illustrierter Umschlag under Seiten von schwere Kwalität mit sehr scharfe Illustrationen vervollkommnen diese Ausgabe.

Amazing book. Everyone should read it

Excellent