"Gilinkites į meno mokslą ir mokslo meną" by L. Da Vinčis.

It is a strange coincidence that I picked up this book on May 2nd, exactly the 501st anniversary of Da Vinci's death. For me, it was a beautiful proof of his immortality. To be honest, I knew Da Vinci as an artist and to some extent as an inventor. However, after reading more, I understood that he was a true gift of nature.

Can you even imagine an artist whose works are considered masterpieces, who draws the mechanisms of war machines, has a great understanding of anatomy, delves into medicine and physics, and not only that, he was very strong, energetic, and had a great sense of humor, the soul of the company? It is said that he was an excellent example of a person who could use both hemispheres of the brain, both the logical and the emotional.

Everyone mourns the loss of this man because nature is not so powerful as to create a second one like him. F. Melzi

We know Leonardo as the author of the famous paintings "Mona Lisa" and "The Last Supper".

As an inventor, Leonardo designed a flying machine, a glider, a parachute, and many other wonders, including extended claws, a three-speed gear, a bicycle, a fuel tank for submarines or ships, collapsible furniture, a press for oilseeds, several automatic musical instruments, a water-powered saw, a movable crane, and more. He created the sketches of the parachute even when people could not yet fly. His discoveries inspired Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, and Darwin. Leonardo was a true genius. It is interesting that looking at the chronology, the end of the 15th century was especially rich in outstanding personalities (2 photos).

Here are some of my observations. I read the book over several weeks, but I still remembered some of the exercises or information the second time. The book not only reveals the greatness and mastery of this personality but also provides a method of how to think in the footsteps of a genius. Some of the described exercises are simple, but some require effort and unusual angles of view. The information, which includes not only Leonardo's creativity but also his life, is necessary for general education.

The paper of the book is of good quality, bright, thick, and pleasant to use. However, it is strange that all the works of the artist in the book are printed in black and white. In my opinion, books on such a topic should maximally convey the peculiarity, uniqueness, and quality of the works, so this author's decision seems strange to me.

Wow. It seems that somebody truly, truly, REALLY has an intense admiration for Leo da Vinci.

On the positive side, initially, this book had a resemblance to a blog post that had been transformed into a book. However, it is far from that. It contains an abundance of detail. And it just keeps going and going and going....

I did manage to glean some valuable information from it. But it's an overwhelming amount to absorb. And I highly doubt that anyone will wholeheartedly embrace everything that is mentioned in this book. It's simply.....too excessive. I mean, wow.

Nevertheless, I do admire Gelb's enthusiasm and dedication to da Vinci and his methods.

It's interesting stuff. It's enlightening and actionable. The only thing is that you would require a lifetime to put any of it into practice. The younger and more inexperienced you are when you read this, the better it might be for you.

I swore off reading self-improvement books years ago and much of this book reminded me of why.

For instance, there were just too many acronyms that made it seem overly complicated and convoluted.

HOWEVER, I did feel encouraged by the author's outlook and suggestions.

The book was mainly written for the corporate world, but it still contained many usable techniques for daily living enhancement.

The most basic of these included memory sharpening, which was a need of mine.

Moreover, I can't help liking a guy who encourages one to look at life with reverence and sensuality.

It gives a refreshing perspective and makes one think about how to approach life in a more meaningful and fulfilling way.

Overall, while the book had its flaws, it also had some valuable insights that could potentially help readers improve their lives.

I’m thinking this is likely one of the most important personal development books I’ve ever read.

It delves deep into the heart of human functioning, specifically self-defining and self-regulating.

As a marriage & family therapist, I am constantly reminded that we are all highly influenceable.

When we are in close proximity to others, it becomes easy for us to lose sight of ourselves and who we truly want to be.

We often find ourselves being and doing what we intuit others want us to be and do, rather than being and doing who we ourselves desire.

In family systems, the concept of Self can easily get lost in the face of Other.

This remarkable book does an outstanding job of presenting thought-provoking questions and engaging exercises that encourage us to clearly differentiate Self from Other.

It offers valuable tools and insights that can help us regain a sense of our true selves and make more conscious choices in our lives.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in personal growth and self-discovery.

This is an interesting book.

However, it gives the impression of being a bit shallow. The content seems to be mainly a collection of praise with some facts about Da Vinci sandwiched in between.

Nonetheless, I did find the principles presented in the book quite appealing.

Overall, I would rate this book a 6 out of 10.

It has its merits, such as the interesting principles, but the lack of in-depth exploration and the preponderance of praise make it fall short of being a truly outstanding work.

Perhaps with a more balanced approach and a deeper dive into the subject matter, it could have been a more engaging and enlightening read.

As it stands, it is an okay book that may provide some entertainment and a basic understanding of Da Vinci and his principles.

If I had the opportunity to choose to be someone in this world, without a doubt, it would be LEONARDO DA VINCI.

Leonardo da Vinci was an extraordinary figure. His insatiable curiosity and boundless creativity led him to explore various fields, from art to science, from engineering to anatomy.

His work was not only a display of technical proficiency but also a manifestation of his deep understanding of the human condition and the natural world. By emulating the way he used to work, one can tap into their own creative potential and strive for human perfection.

Leonardo's approach of constantly observing, experimenting, and innovating can inspire us to break free from the constraints of conventional thinking and reach new heights of achievement.

His legacy serves as a reminder that with dedication, passion, and a willingness to learn, we too can make a significant impact on the world around us.

The book is like a guidebook with many practical exercises to help develop oneself based on the analysis of 7 main principles in Leonardo Da Vinci's thinking:

1. Curiosity: The spirit of learning throughout life, exploring every aspect of life. Application: Keep a journal, ask questions, seek new knowledge, and think critically.

2. Experimentation: Test new things and learn from mistakes.

3. Sensation: Train and sharpen the senses (sight, hearing, touch) to improve the ability to observe and be creative.

4. Ambiguity (the ability to accept the模糊, complex, and unclear), get used to unpredictable situations and find ways to solve them.

5. Art/Science: Balance between logical thinking and creativity.

6. Physical Fitness: Exercise, take care of the body, and consider it an important part of life.

7. Connection: The connection between different fields to have breakthrough insights.

There are a plethora of interesting ideas and exercises presented in an attempt to foster creativity, lateral thinking, and a balanced lifestyle.

However, it often seems that the author is overly reliant on the DaVinci metaphor to promote what is essentially the standard late 90's New Age yuppie fare. By giving it a fancy parchment wrapping, it is made to appear authentic, ancient, and proven.

In this regard, it is not dissimilar to neo-paganism, albeit with a Renaissance theme. What really turned me off early in the introduction was Gelb's parroting of many common falsehoods about the Middle Ages.

It is disappointing to see such inaccuracies being repeated, as they can mislead readers and undermine the credibility of the overall message.

While there may be some valuable insights and exercises within the text, the constant abuse of the DaVinci metaphor and the propagation of false historical information detract from its potential worth.

It would have been more beneficial if the author had focused on presenting the ideas and exercises in a more straightforward and accurate manner, without relying on such gimmicks.

Audiobook

An audiobook is a remarkable innovation that has transformed the way we consume literature. It allows us to listen to our favorite books instead of reading them traditionally.

With an audiobook, we can enjoy a story while doing other activities such as driving, exercising, or doing household chores. It provides a convenient and immersive experience.

Audiobooks are narrated by professional voice actors who bring the characters and the story to life. Their voices add an extra dimension to the reading, making it more engaging and enjoyable.

Moreover, audiobooks are available in a wide variety of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, self-help, and more. This means that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

In conclusion, audiobooks have become a popular alternative to traditional reading. They offer a convenient, immersive, and engaging way to experience literature. Whether you are a book lover or someone who wants to make the most of their time, an audiobook is definitely worth trying.

A truly exceptional book about my idol Leonardo Da Vinci has recently come to my attention. This remarkable volume delves deep into the life, works, and mind of one of the greatest geniuses in history. It explores his diverse interests, from painting and sculpture to engineering and anatomy. The author has done an outstanding job of presenting a comprehensive and engaging account of Da Vinci's achievements. Through vivid descriptions and detailed illustrations, the book brings to life the masterpieces that Da Vinci created, such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. It also sheds light on his innovative ideas and inventions, which were far ahead of his time. Reading this book has been an enlightening and inspiring experience for me, as it has allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of my idol. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in art, history, or the life of a remarkable individual.

The book's main value lies in the recollection of a "Spirit of Knowledge" that has its roots in the learning and working life of Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the most admired figures of the 15th - 16th century. The Italian Renaissance began with the rebirth of the Middle Age mind.

In an educational system that often overlooks the multiple types of intelligence and in a world where a significant portion of our attention is sought after and lost, it is crucial to strive for a rebirth of the Modern mind. This is where the book's nobility lies.

Some of the exercises or learning techniques proposed by the author appear to be so obvious and yet so important for a beginner learner's journey; however, they are still neglected.

It would have been fascinating, though, to read more ideas, principles, stories, and evidence-based arguments from the maestro's life to enhance the concepts and provide more contextual background to inspire the Modern mind. This could have further deepened the reader's understanding and appreciation of the "Spirit of Knowledge" that the book aims to convey.

Overall, the book offers valuable insights into the importance of cultivating a multi-faceted approach to learning and the need to revive the Modern mind in today's society.

There are some truly awesome secrets that have been discovered. These secrets have the potential to change our understanding of the world and ourselves. However, it must be noted that the last two secrets were not well written. This might have been due to a lack of proper research or perhaps a hasty compilation. It is important to ensure that when presenting secrets, they are presented in a clear and concise manner, with all the necessary details and explanations. This will help the reader to better understand and appreciate the significance of the secrets. Despite this minor setback, the other secrets are still very interesting and worth exploring further. We can only hope that in the future, more awesome secrets will be discovered and presented in a more polished and engaging way.