Scientist; painter; mechanical engineer; sculptor; thinker; city planner; storyteller; musician; architect — Leonardo da Vinci; builder of the first flying machine; was one of the great universal geniuses of Western civilization. His voluminous notebooks; the great storehouse of his theories and discoveries; are presented here in 1566 extracts that reveal the full range of Leonardo's versatile interest: all the important writings on painting; sculpture; architecture; anatomy; astronomy; geography; topography; and other fields are included; in both Italian and English; with 186 plates of manuscript pages and many other drawings reproduced in facsimile size.The first volume; which contains all of Leonardo's writings on aspects of painting; includes discussions of such basic scientific areas as the structure of the eye and vision; perspective; the science of light and shade; the perspective of disappearance; theory of color; perspective of color; proportions and movements of the human figure; botany for painters; and the elements of landscape painting. A section on the practice of painting includes moral precepts for painters and writings on composition; materials; and the philosophy of art. The second volume contains writings on sculpture; architecture (plans for towns; streets; and canals; churches; palaces; castles; and villas; theoretical writings on arches; domes; fissures; etc.); zoology; physiology (including his amazingly accurate theories of blood circulation); medicine; astronomy; geography (including has famous writings and drawings on the movement of water); topography (observations in Italy; France; and other areas); naval warfare; swimming; theory of flying machines; mining; music; and other topics.A selection of philosophical maxims; morals; polemics; fables; jests; studies in the lives and habits of animals; tales; and prophecies display Leonardo's abilities as a writer and scholar. The second volume also contains some letters; personal records; inventories; and accounts; and concludes with Leonardo's will. The drawings include sketches and studies for some of Leonardo's greatest works of art — The Last Supper; the lost Battle of Anghiari; The Virgin of the Rocks; and the destroyed Sforza monument.
#199810 in Books 1999-07-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.33 x 1.23 x 6.07l; 1.27 #File Name: 0471327166452 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great ReadBy CustomerThis book is great so far. I have at least 2 grandfathers and uncles who fought in this battle. I've been wanting to read about it for a year and am thankful to have found this book on Kindle. .0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful Scholarship - Great ReadBy cowpens06I have read this book; and re-read parts of it several times. It sheds great light and understanding about the critical year of 1780-1781 for the American Revolution. Many accounts of the American Revolution focus on the struggle in the Northern States. However; the road to Yorktown came through the Southern States - via the Battles of Kings Mountain; Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse. This book carefully documents to Southern culture and participation in the War for Independence. Just when all seemed lost; Nathaniel Greene and Daniel Morgan (and others) arrive on the seen and brilliantly frustrate and bleed the British forces under Cornwallis - forcing them to their destiny at Yorktown. Buy it; read it - you will not be disappointed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Recommended Highly For Those Wanting to Understand the Revolutionary War in the SouthBy Joseph M. SulocI am getting a real feel for what happened in the South during the Revolutionary War. The author seems quite knowledgeable; and I especially liked his "supported opinions" regarding strategy and the quality of the officers. Didn't always agree; but I could see why he made the judgments he did.Some might find the biographical sketches of major players at the start of each chapter to be a distraction. I am not one of these. They helped me get a feel for--and connected to-- the individuals.
