Only one thing to add to the previous review: this book is written for younger readers - and yet the information is so interesting that this makes wonderful "together reading" for an adult and a child. Together, you can discover five important Italian artists in a simple history that conveys their personalities and the circumstances under which they lived and made their art. You can pore over the paintings tgoether, and the book thoughtfully includes insets with details of the paintings for a closer look. This a great choice for family reading.

"The Renaissance Art Book" examines thirty masterpieces of the period by five Italian masters: Fra Angelico (e.g., "The Kiss of Judas"), Sandro Botticelli (e.g., "Birth of Venus"), Leonardo da Vinci (e.g., "Virgin of the Rocks"), Michelangelo Buonarroti (e.g., "The Last Judgment"), and Raphael Sanzio (e.g., "St. George and the Dragon"). Each artist is given equal treatment, allotted six works apiece, although, of course, in the case of Michelangelo this means an equal number of statues and paintings. Wenda O'Reilly begins the book with a background on the politics and art of the Middle Ages against which the Renaissance broke out in Italy. After short biographies of the five artists and a timeline of the Renaissance, all of which are profusely illustrated, O'Reilly devotes each 2-page spread to a specific work of art. What follows is not so much thirty lessons in art appreciation, in which we learn about artistic techniques specific to each artist, but rather an explication of the meaning of the various images and symbols in each painting. Consequently, we learn the story told by the panels in Fra Angelico's Annalena Altarpiece and the symbolism of the pomegranate in the hand of the infant Jesus in Botticelli's "Madonna of the Magnificat." But O'Reilly does provide some artistic insights to go along with the information, such as the ways in which Leonardo makes the lady and the ermine look alike in "Lady with an Ermine" and Raphael's use of forshortening in "St. George and the Dragon." The information outweighs the insights (Raphael painted Leonardo as Plato in "The School of Athens") but the important thing is that at the end of this colorful book you have a better understanding of over two dozen works of Renaissance art. By focusing on multiple works by just five artists O'Reilly is also able to engender a better understand of each artist's approach. Apparently this book is also sold as part of "The Renaissance Art Game," which allows you to engage in art appreciation by playing a pair of classical games of strategy and memory, Go Fish and Concentration (using cards of the 30 paintings). Sounds like fun to me.

Kenneth Clark gives an unpropogating look at Da Vinci. All too often Leonardo's name has been attached to support a variety of causes of this or that nature. Being, seemingly, irreligious and unphilosophic while being the quintessential Renassaince Man. His name is often used as a mascot to justify the ideals of this or that group of whatever. He was clearly an animal rights lover, possibly a closet Franciscan, in all probability a homosexual (although not much of an activist). Leonardo was into his thoughts and had little patience for something that was already complete in his mind. He left scores of unfinished works, and minons of angry patrons - contrary to Bornstin's book that Leonardo was in constant search of patrons - Clark says he had many unhappy patrons. Leonardo was an animal lover who hated violence (although he designed armaments of various sorts). His depth of religious devotion could be argued, but he was not irreverant, as some have claimed. Leonardo was rather Franciscan and had a fondness for animals and individuality. He was free and valued his own individualism. Other than Da Vinci's notebooks nothing much authentic comes down to us. Every other work of Leonardo has been severally retouched or destroyed, what there is left of Leonardo's work is highly speculative - what bit is in his hand ect. Clark gives a healthy, vibrant, nonproselytizing look at a genius - something anyone might find interesting.

Kenneth Clark's book is probably the best available introduction to Leonardo da Vinci. It is both a good biography and an insightful analysis of Leonardo's art and artistic career. The text is appropriate for both laymen and students of art history. Clark's writing is concise and extremely engaging (to the point where I would recommend reading this book for fun), but it is also intelligent and very informative, with a clear thesis that ties the vast body of matieral covered together into an easily comprehensible package. This book is slightly out of date now, but Martin Kemp's introduction and revision help to ammend for that. I particularly recommend this most recent edition as it is well-illustrated.

This is the best book available in English on Leonardo da Vinci. True, the book was first published several decades ago, but the art historian Martin Kemp has added footnotes that bring the text up to date. Kenneth Clark made a tremendous contribution to the study of Leonardo da Vinci with this book - Science and Technology Museum notwithstanding!!!!

If you have read HOLY BLOOD, HOLY GRAIL (1983) or similar books you may find this story entirely too predictable to enjoy. The central plot twists are based on traditions, speculations and legends previously published in other books. If you are not at all familiar with these theories you will probably enjoy the story. Whether you believe them or not the theories are interesting enough to carry the plot.

Once I began this extraordinary book, I could not put it down. "The Da Vinci Code" is so much more than a gripping suspense thriller. Dan Brown takes us beyond the main plot and leads us on a quest for the Holy Grail - a Grail totally unlike anything we have been taught to believe. With his impeccable research, Mr. Brown introduces us to aspects and interpretations of Western history and Christianity that I, for one, had never known existed...or even thought about. I found myself, unwillingly, leaving the novel, and time and time again, going online to research Brown's research - only to find a new world of historic possibilities opening up for me. And my quest for knowledge and the answers to questions that the book poses, paralleled, in a sense, the quest of the book's main characters. What a trip! What a read!

A violent murder is committed in the Louvre Museum. The museum's chief curator, who is also the head of a remarkable secret society that has existed since the death of Christ, is found dead and gruesomely positioned on the floor near The Mona Lisa. In the minutes before he died, this very complex man was able to leave clues for his daughter to follow. The daughter, a brilliant cryptographer, along with a famed US symbologist, follow her father's codes and leads, hoping that he will, through his death, finally tell her what he wanted to confide in her while he lived. The secret society included members such as: Leonardo Da Vinci, Boticelli, Gallileo, Isaac Newton, Victor Hugo, Jean Cocteau, etc. These folks really Did belong to this society, which Really existed! This is when I first began my online search.

The mystery, or mysteries, take us through England, France and far back in time. We learn about the secret of the Knights Templar, and the symbolism in many of the world's most treasured paintings, as well as architectural symbolism in some of history's most sacred churches. Of course, we also learn who committed the murder and why - although this is almost secondary next to the real epic mystery the novel uncovers.

If there are flaws in the plot, I was too busy reading to discover any. That is probably the sign of a terrific book! The writing is excellent and the characters are a bit on the super-hero/heroine side, but who cares? Is what "The Da Vinci Code" proposes true? Well, the research is correct. The historical events and people explored in the book are real. But no one knows the Truth...nor will we ever, probably. I think that some things are meant to be a mystery. With all the world's diverse religions and each individual's belief in what is Divine - the Truth would have to destroy the beliefs, hopes and lives of many of the world's population. So, perhaps, in the divine scheme of things, there are many more Truths than one. Don't take the book too seriously. Just read it and enjoy!

The Da Vinci Code will keep you on the edge of your seat! Make sure you have plenty of time to read it 'cause you won't want to put it down until the very last page! Anyone who loves a good treasure hunt filled with suspense and intrigue will love this book.

It's hard to imagine two words that could do more to kill a book's sales than "history" and "celibacy" ("algebra" and "asphyxia," perhaps). Nevertheless, A History of Celibacy has proven a huge best-seller in Canada (if that counts), giving South Park fans one more reason to hoot in derision at their northern neighbors.

Toronto historian Elizabeth Abbott traces religious celibacy in exhaustive detail from Athena and the vestal virgins of pagan Rome to the Catholic obsession with virginity and the role of self-denial in the Buddhist and Hindu faiths. If the reader can get past Abbott's sociology-textbook prose in these first 200 pages, the book picks up considerably in the second half as she turns her attention to celibacy in the secular world. Abbott pokes fun at the Male Purity Movement of the 19th century and the scientifically unproven link between abstinence and improved athletic performance, but she appears completely sympathetic with female celibacy to transcend traditional gender roles (the section on Elizabeth I is particularly poignant).

Under Abbott's double standard, women in secular society give up sex for career or country (Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, Rachel Carson), whereas men abstain because they are repressed homosexuals, incurable pedophiles or superstitious jocks (Leonardo da Vinci, Lewis Carroll, Muhammad Ali). Equally discomfiting is Abbott's account of her own conversion to celibacy: "Much as I once reveled in sexual indulgence...I am immensely relieved that someone else's domestic demands no longer dominate my daily agenda." Yeah, love stinks.

Despite getting bogged down in various minutae in regards to different religious sects, this book is an entertaining and informative read. The author adroitly links the cultural mores of societies across the earth, and analyzes the reasons for celibacy or eternal virginity among different religions and cultures. She also, interestingly enough, emphasizes the practical nature of celibacy, and the role it plays in today's sex-driven culture. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a bit of odd cultural history or someone just interested in the rise and fall of celibacy.

A history of celibacy is a deeply compelling book that offeres a plathora of cultural views on celibacy. From china to native americans, ancient greeks to today, Elizabeth Abbott introduces the reader to a world populated by eunuchs, transvestite nuns, tormented ascetics, empowered virgins and AIDS-weary homosexuals. Abbott's wit and wry sense of humor makes this scholarly research a joy to read. I feel more knowledgble of both my own and other cultures view on sex, the close relationship between religion and sex, and how centuries of sexual principles affects many of todays issues concerning homosexulality, teenage pregnancy, pedophile priests, etc...
A must read for the curious.

This book has silly mistakes of reference, stodgy exposition about the art that reads like it was intended for a textbook, and a pretty predictable plot. It's a police procedural (not a mystery) and the procedure is generally ok, but none of the characters is well developed. It's passingly interesting for an airplane, but not much more. Try Instance of the Finger Post instead.

I loved this book! Great story, great characters, and
the pacing of it just never lets up. Furthermore
it avoids the nauseating politically correct propaganda
junk that mars so many mysteries and action stories
in today's world; ones where women perform feats
of daring physical, psychological, and intellectual stunts
(while the men waffle around like flawed, clueless bozos)
that in real life just don't happen. If you want deep characterizations and
all
that, go back and reread Shakespeare. This book
plays out almost like a very satisfying, high quality movie.
I'd definitely be willing to seek out and read other works by this author in
the
future. Highly recommended.

This is the second Thomas Swan novel taking place in the art world. A set of theives set up a complex deception involving Leonardo Da Vinci, as the title implies. Jack Oxby is not very prominent in this book, but other characters move the book along. The chapters are short, which keeps you moving. I found it difficult to put down. I disagree with the review here stating that character developement is weak; I have a feel for each one of them. Surprises abound and it is a good view into the art world; as someone who works in it, it is not nearly as idealized as the museums would make you think! Good job Mr. Swan...please send us more!

This booklet is good for copying practice. All of the lines are clear, but deterioration marks transferred on some sheets. Figurative drawing is best represented, but there is also some architecture, flowers, horses, landscape, and two drapery studies. The text is minimal, but it provides the date, location and materials used for each sheet.

If you want a more beautiful book, Clayton's "LdV: A Singular Vision". It has many of the same drawings (and many more) cleaned up in full color (lines lighter, but still clear). Marani's "LdV: The Complete Paintings" also has clean reproductions of many of these drawings (usually smaller) and excellent reproductions of the paintings.

This small book is great for a quick reference to a DaVinci drawing but its not good for really anything else. Its just what you should get if you need a DaVinci drawing for a quick study. There are all types of drawing examples in it. I suppose its worth the money.

This is a good collection of da Vinci's drawings. It is one of the best among those in the Dover Art Library. A few of the pictures so vividly captured the instantaneous expressions of men in various emotional states that one is left breathless by da Vinci's incomparable power of observation and stunning drawing skills. Another bunch of drawings had complicated contents and they all showed amazingly accurate perspective geometry. One is left with no doubt that the great artist is no less a great scientist.

This book, being a collection of drawings, does little to teach, but it is a good reference and a standard of excellence for comparison with other drawings. I recommend it for any serious art student.

Michael covers the same seven steps to genius every day he details more completely in his book: "How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci." In most cases even the same language is used. This is followed by Dr. Chopra's comments on how Leonardo's thoughts are mirrored in the philosophy of advaita vedAnta. During the following discussion and audience Q&A the audio quality is poor.

If you want a hint at what the insights of Leonardo are, this book may do. If you want vivid picture consider Michael's other book/audio.

I'm a media consultant, and recently heard Michael Gelb speak at an industry convention. MIGHTY inspiring. I won't even try to spell the seven Italian words he had an audience of 2000+ pronouncing in unison, but he made a convincing case that applying these seven traits to your work can make you the next Leonardo.

After reading this book I felt that to a degree its central thesis barely held together. The title implies that there was a fascinating collaboration between the two men. Upon completing the book, I came away with the feeling that that was hardly the case. The connection between Da Vinci and Machiavelli seems tenuous. They hardly seemed to have met or talked to each other very much. It almost made me feel like the author was looking for a "hook" that would make the book more appealing. There was also an anecdote thrown in about a sexual liaison that Machiavelli had and a few ribald comments from the correspondence of his contemporaries which to me seemed unnecessary to include. There was no point being made by all this except, I guess, to show that Machiavelli and his mates were just as human as you or I. I kind of knew that anyway..... However, don't let me give you the impression that the book has nothing to offer. I found the material on Leonardo very interesting. People do tend to think of him only as an artist and Mr. Masters does an admirable job of also showing us the scientist, inventor, military engineer, etc. We also get to see the constant struggle Leonardo had to go through just to make a living. His patrons would be annoyed by his perfectionism and would threaten to cancel contracts and would be slow to hand over money. The author also puts a human face on Machiavelli and shows his efforts to keep his head above water in the treacherous and constantly shifting political landscape of Renaissance Florence. Some readers may find the book worth buying just for the many interesting sketches and drawings by Leonardo which are included. But if you are a lot more interested in Machiavelli than you are in Leonardo, or if you are looking for that quirky partnership promised in the title, you might be disappointed.

No historical scholar would mistake Masters's book for serious academic research. His thesis, while engaging, is never supported except by the most circumstantial of evidence. He failed to convince me the two men had even heard of each other, let alone concoct such a fantastic plot together.

Nonetheless, the book is a good overview of the politics of the Italian Renaissance for the layperson. You're introduced to the movers and shakers of the age and told what they did in a very accesible, narrative style.

The premise of Machiavelli and Da Vinci's collaboration, while likely fictional, does make for interesting reading. This book is great inspiration for a novel of alternative history, but look harder if you want the actual history.

This book was recommended for me by some friends that enjoyed it very much. So, I accepted the suggestion and bought it. And I don't regret it for a minute.

The book tells us about the encounter of two great figures (Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli) that are trying to put togheter a plan to change the course of the Arno River, near Florence and Piza. The story, however is merely a pretext to present us these two great characters and to make us wonder how two completely different people could have meant so much to western history.

The writing never bores us and even if you don't know much about this period or Leonardo and Machiavelli, you will have a great time reading this book. This is what I call intelligent fun.

This would be a good tale if the author could try to avoid bad poetics. "...I hung up, gently this time, totally intoxicated with emotion, but thirsting for more, dying to drink from her well forever, to gulp quenching heartfuls of her." I read that and was seized with an urge to gulp quenching mouthfuls of alcohol, but I decided to finish the book anyway. I had invested enough time in it already. I probably missed some of the story line as I tried to skim over similar cloying sentiments, however, if I were the author next time I wouldn't try to create a romance-action novel hybrid. It's just not a good combo.

Like Indiana Jones in the original Raiders of the Lost Ark, hero Reb Barnett effortlessly moves through this action-packed adventure with wit, sarcasm, skill and luck. The Medici Dagger is a fast, light, yet predictable read.

Five Hundred years ago Leonardo da Vinci crafted an indestructible and super-light alloy and used it to create the Medici Dagger. According to legend, bad guys with such a weapon could do unspeakable things. However, the only way to actually find the dagger is to read Leonardo's long-lost journals and solve the encrypted message within the Circle of Truth. It is up to our hero Reb, who's day job is a daredevil Hollywood stuntman, to find journals in order to locate the Dagger and thus keep it away from the baddies and save the world from destruction. Reb is the perfect guy for the job. His father was a Leonardo scholar and also the curator of the National Gallery of Art, so Reb has been well schooled in the Great Man from an early age. But, tragically, Reb's parents both died in a mysterious house fire leaving the soon-to-be-orphaned boy to jump from the family home in a foreshadowing of his stunt-man career.

This is Cameron West's first fiction. He's the author of the New York Times best-selling memoir First Person Plural: My Life as a Multiple. West has quite a skilled literary agent - The Medici Dagger has been sold to Paramount for a movie slated to star Tom Cruise.

If a fast-paced mixture of stunts, comedy, hunts for 500-year-old artifacts, international locales, unbelievable set-ups and bad guys with black hats to make certain you know who they are appeals to you, The Medici Dagger may be just the thing for a few hours of adventurous escape.

David Meerman Scott

In 1491, Leonardo da Vinci invents a new alloy. He shapes it into a blade and places it inside a vise. He slams a mallet on the tip only to see the hammer split apart while the dagger remains whole. Knowing how his benefactors think, Leonardo believes that his creation would be used as a weapon of destruction. He hides his findings with the hope that the future will beget a world filled with peace that can use his alloy for the common good.

Five centuries later internationally recognized da Vinci expert Rollo Barnett decodes the Renaissance Man's enigmatic writing about the dagger. However, he and his wife die in a suspicious-looking fire. Two decades later, Rollo's son Reb learns that a billionaire arms dealer murdered his parents. He obsessively needs to complete his father's work on da Vinci and revenge himself on the killer though he places himself in danger from his parents' killer.

If thriller fans suspend logic for a few hours, they will enjoy an action packed tale. The story line requires the reader to accept a lot even from the start. For instance, da Vinci hides his new discovery for fear of weapon-use yet shapes it into a dagger. The arms dealer wants to make outer space smart bombs (don't ask how), but kills the prime source of locating the alloy. This consistent inconsistency is bothersome for those fans that need to believe in an "authentic" feel to the events. However, Cameron West's debut novel provides entertainment for those readers who want a simple but wild ride.

Harriet Klausner