How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci

2011·7.5 MB·english

by  Gelb

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