More than a great painter, sculptor, and engineer, Leonardo da Vinci was one of the most profound and inquisitive thinkers of his--or any other--age.

Culled from dozens of Leonardo's diaries and unpublished manuscripts, these writings include opinions, scientific analysis, and speculations that were considered unconventional, dangerous, even heretical in Renaissance Italy. Here Leonardo reveals his secret thoughts on spiritual possession, alchemy, tyranny and freedom, nature, the Biblical Great Flood, fossils, creativity, painting and poetry, knowledge and reason, and more.

This book has been reprinted often over the years including once under the title of The Wisdom of Leonardo da Vinci. We have chosen to return to the original title for our edition.