Leonardo da Vinci possessed arguably the greatest mind the world has ever known. Artist, draftsman, inventor, engineer, and philosopher, his contributions to modern society are profound and wide-reaching. Michael White has the rare skill of making history come alive, and his portrayal of Leonardo da Vinci together with the major figures of his time really fascinates. Naturally, given the general audience this book is directed to, if you're an academic researcher looking to split hairs, you will succeed and find something to disagree with - but the ordinary reader will appreciate this book for its vivid and captivating story not only of Leonardo, but of the times in which he lived.