Freud had developed many theories on human sexuality and behavior, that he'd based on his main theme of sexual tensions present in human's nature. His terms, such as 'ego', 'superego', 'libido', are widely used today, for all sorts of explanations to our psychological and social problems. Some societies disregard Freud's work for its simple, non-scientific, unprovable approach, whereas some think that the path Freud had opened in the field of psychology - and not necessarily his works - should suffice for his appraisal by the world. In my opinion, his works were limited to a certain extent, but involved a lot of insights and creativity, which is essential in arts and sciences.

In this book, Freud examines the childhood of Leonardo da Vinci, to explain his psychological inclinations toward certain people, with reference to a particular dream Leonardo sees when he was about five years old. It is a vulture, that Freud associates Leonardo's fright in his early life. He goes on to say that due to this initial dream that builds the base for his psychological growth, Leonardo becomes more inclined towards men, both socially and physically. Freud supports his idea with the fact that Leonardo did not admit any female students to his studio, and his male predecessors showed also indications of gay sexual orientation later on, in addition to producing work similar to Leonardo's. This also hints at why none of Leonardo's students was well known; Leonardo, for some reason, was limiting and ordering to his students. I'm a little confused by Freud's assertions, which refrain me from giving a clear account of his explanation.

Nevertheless, the book is interesting. Thinking that Freud is one of the few people, who examined Leonardo's life and works closely from a pyschological perspective, this book should be considered as a valuable source. Even though some of Freud's ideas are not engrossing, it is still interesting to learn about Leonardo's life, which Freud largely depicts by factual references he's found.

Wayne Andersen is an infectious writer and an infectious thinker. His book on Leonardo and Freud has all the ingredients that makes for an excellent read, where one learns as much about Freud as about Leonardo, and about Andersen himself in the bargain. James Beck, Professor of Art History, Columbia University, New York.

It has taken some 90 years for someone, namely, Professor Wayne Andersen, to reveal that one author after another, including Freud and Meyer Schapiro, failed to read Leonardo's reminisence of the "vulture" visitation to his cradle, but depended on a 1900 faulty transscription. And every book and essay devoted to the so-called "Freudian Slip" repeated each other's errors. Andersen absolves Freud from the "error." He provides an accurate transcription of what Leonardo wrote, and in a detailed and flawless manner unravel's the case for Leonardo's homosexuality. As a bonus, Andersen also unravels Freud's case of the Wolf-Man. It's quite a book. Nothing like it available in the literature.