Perhaps the finest test for a non-fiction book is whether reading it sparks a desire for more information. Leonardo da Vinci, as written by Walter Isaacson, is as good as it gets in this regard. Both the man and the writer share credit, but one gets the feeling that even a novice writer would have a hard time diminishing the fascinating life of Leonardo.Strive to think, and live, like Leonardo da Vinci. He was a man that never lost that childlike wonder we all seem to grow out of. What does a woodpecker's tongue look like? When you next see a bird, do its wings flap downward faster than upward? Does this vary from bird to bird? These are the types of questions that filled his notebooks.A surprising trait of da Vinci, one that in my estimation makes him more accessible and understandable, was his tendency to leave work unfinished. He would regularly set out to create vast manuscripts of detailed analysis on the human body, or hydraulics or even how to paint. None of which would ever reach publication. Luckily though, a large percentage of his notebooks have survived and we can see his unfinished genius at work. He left a similar trail of unfinished artistic works, including paintings and sculptures, which if completed would no doubt stand next to the Mona Lisa and his other works as some of the greatest in all of human history. Understanding why this was his tendency is key to understanding his genius.As is typical of an expert biographer, the history of Leonardo da Vinci is not written as if it is a sure thing. Isaacson clearly presents the known information on a particular topic and offers what he considers to be the truth of the matter. In the end it is up to the reader to decide what to believe.I have never read a book that analyzed art in such depth. I have gained a new respect for art history and wish I could revisit all the museums I have been to in my life. I would be doing so with a newfound appreciation as well as a more critical eye thanks to Isaacson. Of course, I wish more than anything else that I could see the Mona Lisa again. My knowledge and respect of the painting when I was luckily enough to see it was severely lacking (to say the least, but can you blame a 20 year old?).Mona Lisa smile... the depth of this subject is astounding. Sfumato, maybe the most important word when it comes to understanding what made da Vinci different. To understand the genius of Leonardo is to understand sfumato. There are no clear delineations between subjects, whether in a painting or in life and philosophy. How much of life is a Mona Lisa smile... shifting... unclear upon inspection... confounding... ever changing.I could go on and on... suffice to say, read this book. You'll be better off for it.