This fascinating exploration of Leonardo da Vincis life and work identifies what it was that made him so unique; and explains the phenomenon of the worlds most celebrated artistic genius who; 500 years on; still grips and inspires us.Martin Kemp offers us exceptional insights into what it was that made this Renaissance man so special; and the real meaning behind such masterpieces as the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. Tracing Leonardos career in all its variety; we learn of his unfulfilled dreams; relationships with powerful patrons; and the truth about his views on God; humans; and nature.The famous notebooks are the key to understanding the secret of Leonardos success and genius; as they clearly reveal the workings of his mind and display the true innovative and investigative nature of his creative vision. Over 20;000 pages of drawings and notes detail his incredible discoveries and inventions - from the workings of the human eye to designs for flying machines and giant crossbows. Bringing the story up to the present day; Martin Kemp considers what he means to us today;investigates the Leonardo industry; and speculates about what he would be doing if he were alive today.This updated edition of Martin Kemps best-seller is the first book on Leonardo to include two newly discovered works; the most important such discoveries in over a hundred years.
#311844 in eBooks 2010-07-20 2010-07-20File Name: B006IVGUV8
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Exactly What is Says it isBy Lana CarterI ordered six copies as gifts to give my cast mates on closing night of our two week run of Next to Normal. I will say that playing Diana was a huge challenge and a gift since my real life daughter played Natalie.Now. with that out of the way. let me say this is EXACTLY what it says it is. It is a script which includes all of the lyrics to the songs in the play along with the dialog. It also includes the stage directions. If youre looking for a novelization. this is not what youre looking for. If you think that reading poetry (which is essentially what lyrics without music to accompany them are) is boring. this is not what youre looking for. But if youve ever seen Next to Normal. you also know that the show is about 90% music. so a script of only the dialog would be about 10 pages long. Yorkey and Kitt have perfectly interwoven the music with the dialog in masterful storytelling for this wonderful script. Theres a reason it won a Drama Desk Award and a Pulitzer Prize along with multiple Tony Awards.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Emotional. mostly rings true.By Bank of DadThis play captures the essence of living with the memory of a dead child. and then pain of an emotionally disturbed family member. As a psychologist. I have seem this played out many times. But the loss of a child does not cause mental illness. and bipolar illness often has genetic roots. sometimes triggered by stressors. and sometimes just occurring on its own.My DILs own mother has bipolar. There is no known stressor other than genetics. Natalie and her share the same pain of growing up.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. HauntingBy Steinbecks ShadowI saw this show on Christmas Eve 2010 in Los Angeles with no expectations. Mostly. I was curious about what made it a Pulitzer prize winner. Its been four months now and Im still haunted by its courage. raw beauty. and the seamless performances of this cast. For the first two months. there were songs that would pop into my head at random. Tom Kitts music and Brian Yorkeys lyrics are as brilliant and insightful as anything Sondheim has ever given us and despite its electric and modern rock sounds. so much of it feels as if its all been with us before when I know it hasnt. Although Alice Ripley is at the core and the star of the piece. it is about as beautiful an ensemble as Ive ever seen. Not since. A Chorus Line. have songs been so well balanced in their story narrative and character revelations. The song. My Psycho-pharmacoligist and I. had me in convulsions of laughter and yet when the song was over. I sat motionless in my seat stone cold with fear. Its that rare piece that penetrates your consciousness without assaulting you months after youve seen it. More than anything. I feel blessed to have witnessed such a masterful and compassionate piece of American musical theater. Without being snobbish. I dont think anyone but American composers could have tackled such a monumental feat so brilliantly.
