Praise for HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO DA VINCI “In HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO DA VINCI, Michael Gelb provides an inspirational, practical guide to developing your Da Vincian powers. I recommend it to anyone who wants to experience a personal or professional renaissance.” —DELANO E. LEWIS, PRESIDENT AND CEO, NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO “For learning how to approach life like a genius … His view reflects the current trend in working with ‘multiple intelligences’ and creativity.… The Renaissance mood Gelb successfully invokes, however, adds a unique richness to this deeper, more expansive work.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY “The seven Da Vincian principles discussed can refine the use of intellect and teach the reader the unchanged art of thinking clearly and fulfilling one’s potential.” —LIBRARY JOURNAL “In HOW TO THINK LIKE LEONARDO DA VINCI, Michael Gelb makes the practical teachings of history’s greatest genius come alive for the modern world. Buy it. Read it! Live it!” —TONY BUZAN, AUTHOR OF THE BOOK OF GENIUS AND THE MIND MAP BOOK “Michael Gelb centers his book on models of the very highest achievement and demonstrates how genius is put together, by steps virtually anyone can take, if they have the willingness to practice. Those who have watched Gelb in action know him as a master practitioner in many disciplines. Get this book and stick with it.” —TED HUGHES, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF BIRTHDAY LETTERS HOW TO THINK LIKE LEORNARDO DA VINCI A Delta Book PUBLISHING HISTORY Delacorte Press hardcover edition published August 1998 Dell Trade Paperback edition published February 2000 Delta Trade Paperback reissue edition / June 2004 Published by Bantam Dell A Division of Random House, Inc. New York, New York The terms High Performance Learning and Mind Mapping are registered trademarks used with the permission of Michael J. Gelb and the Buzan Organization, respectively. “I think continually of those who were truly great” from Selected Poems by Stephen Spender. Copyright 1934 and renewed 1962 by Stephen Spender. Reprinted by permission of Random House, Inc., and Peters Fraser & Dunlop Group Ltd. This book presents nutrition and exercise information which may or may not be right for you. In view of the complex, individual, and specific nature of health and fitness problems, this book is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every individual is different. Before starting any diet or exercise program, get your doctor’s approval. The publisher and the author expressly disclaim any responsibility for any loss or risk incurred as a consequence of the application of the contents of this book. All rights reserved Copyright © 1998 by Michael J. Gelb New preface copyright © 2004 by Michael J. Gelb Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98-04655 No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher, except where permitted by law. Delta is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc., and the colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc. eISBN: 978-0-307-57352-0 v3.1_r1 This book is dedicated to the Da Vincian spirit manifested in the life and work of Charles Dent ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Grazie to all who participated in the evolution of the Da Vincian exercises and to the readers who offered valuable feedback on the evolving manuscript: Ann-Marie Bolton, Jolie Barbiere, Stacy Forsythe, Michael Frederick, Ruth Kissane, John Ramo, Dr. Dale Schusterman, and Sylvia Tognetti. Grazie to the “cognoscenti” of music appreciation: Audrey Elizabeth Ellzey, Dr. Roy S. Ellzey, Joshua Habermann, Murray Horwitz, Dr. Elain Jerdine, and Stacy Forsythe. Grazie to Professor Roger Paden for repeatedly raiding his faculty library on my behalf. Grazie to my clients and friends who keep the Da Vincian spirit alive in their organizations, especially Ed Bassett, Charlie Bacon, Bob Ginsberg, Dave Chu, Jim D’Agostino, Marv Damsma, Doug Durand, Gerry Kirk, Delano Lewis, Nina Lesavoy, Joseph Rende, Harvey Sanders, Dr. Raj Sisodia, Debbie Ronning, Ketan Patel, Marlene Weiss, and the Lucent Idea Verse team. Grazie molto to my parents, Joan and Sandy Gelb, who inspired my Da Vincian approach to life. To Joan Arnold for incisive editing and constructive feedback. To Sir Brian Tovey for sharing his insights on Florence and the Renaissance. To my wonderful literary agent, Muriel Nellis, and her staff, especially Jane Roberts. And to Tom Spain for his Da Vincian vision and brilliant editing, and his team at Delacorte, especially Mitch Hoffman and Ellen Cipriano. Grazie mille to Lorraine Gill for her remarkable commitment to “saper vedre.” Grazie mille to four people who made exceptional contributions to this book: Nusa Maal for her contributions to the Drawing Course, her magnificent illustrations, and for championing the principles of multi-sensory intelligence. To the modern uomo universale Tony Buzan for creating mind maps, the Da Vincian thinking tool. Grand master Raymond Keene, O.B.E., for sharing his profound knowledge of history and genius. Audrey Elizabeth Ellzey for invaluable support in research and administration and for her Da Vincian fealty to truth. C ontents Cover Page Title Page Copyright Dedication Acknowledgments Preface to New Edition: “A Touch of Eternal Beauty” Preface: “Born of the Sun” PART ONE Introduction: Your Brain Is Much Better than You Think Learning from Leonardo A Practical Approach to Genius The Renaissance, Then and Now The Life of Leonardo da Vinci Major Accomplishments PART TWO The Seven Da Vincian Principles Curiosità Dimostrazione Sensazione Sfumato Arte/Scienza Corporalita Connessione Conclusion: Leonardo’s Legacy PART THREE The Beginner’s Da Vinci Drawing Course Rebirth of a Dream Leonardo da Vinci Chronology; Life and Times Recommended Reading Contact List of Illustrations