Da Vinci's Ghost

Da Vinci's Ghost: Genius, Obsession, and How Leonardo Created the World in His Own Image

by Toby Lester

see it on amazon 

ability to make you want to travel to Europe

page turner

 

 

 It turns out that many medieval Europeans studied the human body to understand the universe.  The body symbolized to them the way the solar system was organized, the way the constellations were formed and the way that the earth worked.  Also the proportions of the human body inspired the best building proportions.  This ideas was first written by a roman architect named vitruvius. Vitruvius also wrote about how the human body could fit inside a circle (circles represented perfection and completeness) as well as a square (squares representedthe world, the four cardinal directions, the four seasons and a few other things). 

Leonardo Da Vinci  was one who was fascinated with this idea.  As an artist he studied the human body , but he also studied the human body to be a better architect.  Leonardo  drew a picture of Vitruvius's idea of man fitting inside a circle and a square.  His drawing is super famous but few people know the ideas represented in it. 

 Toby Lester wrote about this subject in an incredibly interesting way.   The book is also a good introduction to Leonardo Da Vinci.  He talks about Italy in a way that makes you want to see the places he talks about.  Many of the details of Leonardo's story are unknown and Toby Lester tries to complete the picture for the reader.  Great book.  I recommend reading it then after you read it try to spot remaining symbols of the human body in the world around you

Flow: the Physcology of optimal experience

page turner

credibility

life changing potential

Scientists are usually superbly boring writers.   Flow is an exception.  In the book, the Author (a psychologist) talks about how to get the most out of life.  The book introduces you to a variety of people like a factory worker in a factory where most people despise their work, but this one guy figured out how to see his work as a challenge and leads a happier life than most of us. 
The book is a perfect mix of interesting stories and scientific research explained simply.  A nonfiction book that is not filled with good scientific research should be classified as fiction and if there are no interesting stories, then its a textbook.  Flow gets it right 


When are people happiest? That is one question that the book tries to answer.   Most of us instinctively avoid anything uncomfortable and difficult.  We also seek pleasure at every opportunity.  There is a better way to find happiness; in short, find challenges that engage you but don't overwhelm you.  We feel happy and fulfilled in such situations. 

I can relate to that.  I love participating in endurance events.  I'm not at all fast but the feeling of crossing a finish line after 13 hours of exertion is great!  One thing that i love about this book is that it talks about the same idea in a ton of different contexts.  Some people experience flow by skiing.  Some by talking care of bonsai trees.  Some experience flow when they do a triple bypass surgery.  He applies his ideas to work and many other areas of life. 
great book.  you'll love it

-The thought chef

about thought food non fiction

Thought food non fiction is a blog for people who are looking for interesting non fiction to read.  Posts will cover books on a wide range of topics, whatever is most interesting.  Expect a new post every two weeks.  I hope you enjoy the book recommendations and feel free to recommend books in the comments.

thanks for reading the blog

-the thought chef