'Leonardo Da Vinci' by Walter Isaacson

Leonardo Da Vinci, Walter Isaacson (3.0)

While I often read books using my Kindle, due to the large number of figures in this book, I recommend reading it in paper format. Isaacson does a great job describing details of the process and resulting drawing or painting so I was often referring back to them reviewing details. In typical biography form, this book follows Leonardo’s life from birth to death. I doubt there are any surprising or new elements brought to life here, but for someone who has not read a full biography of the famous artist/scientist, it serves as a thorough review of his masterpieces, inventions, and the curiosity of the man. In addition, Isaacson does a good job in explaining how each affects the other, such as how his fascination with anatomy down to the nerves and muscles of a smile likely was used to create the most enigmatic smile in art. As with ‘Steve Jobs’, Isaacson points out the weaknesses of his chosen genius, but it is extremely clear how much in awe he is about his subject. Also, the other people popping in and out of his life are more caricatures and generally felt as if they were dealt with at arms length.  I believe this is a good, approachable (albeit long) book about Da Vinci’s life, but couldn’t help but wonder of one of the many cited other biographies might be better?

'La Belle Savage' by Philip Pullman

La Belle Savage (The Book of Dust #1), Philip Pullman (4.0)

With regards to returning us to the warm fires of Pullman’s alternate Oxford, this long awaited prequel to ‘His Dark Materials’ did not disappoint. My only complaint is that, not surprisingly, it is lacking any new exciting information about this very interesting world. The first trilogy was filled with creative ideas and thoughtful characters. This book begins to describe the backstory of many of those characters and set-up the overall political environment – set about 10 years prior to the start of the original trilogy. The protagonist, Malcolm, is a young, sweet unassuming boy who works at his family’s pub – which happens to be next to the convent where the nuns are caring for the baby, Lyra. At this point, Lyra’s mother and father are estranged and he is already trying to protect her with anonymity. Malcolm’s strong observational and analytical skills drive him to realize that not all is as it seems with the learned people in and around his parent’s pub. And his sense of valor pushes him to protect Lyra at any cost. On it’s own, I think this is more of a 3-star book, but for fans of ‘His Dark Materials’, it is a comforting return to a favorite world.