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Da Vinci and his super brain

Michael Cox - Author

The book presents Leonardo through biographical details, including his large horse project and fondness for practical jokes, as well as inventions he dreamed up. It also invites readers into a lost notebook and the Milan Messenger.

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Book Analysis

At a Glance

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Biography· ExplainedHumour· ExplainedLeonardo da Vinci· Explained

Personalised Fit

Beyond the Cover

biographyhumourLeonardo da Vinciinventioncreativityhistory

Non-fictionIllustrated book

Themes in Context

A playful historical portrait

The book pairs biographical surprises, such as Leonardo’s practical jokes and clothing preferences, with his artistic and inventive reputation.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: Light, lively anecdotes introduce Leonardo as a historical figure.

Talk about: Do the anecdotes help you picture Leonardo as a person as well as an artist and inventor?

Inventions and ideas

Leonardo’s imagined inventions are a stated feature, alongside a glimpse of his lost notebook.Exploratory / explanatory

How the book presents it: Leonardo’s imagined inventions and lost notebook give readers a starting point for exploring his ideas.

Talk about: If an invention catches your interest, what would you want to know about how it might work?

Why It May Be Worth Reading

Its playful framing may offer an engaging way into a historical biography, with art and invention both in view. It could suit a reader curious about Leonardo beyond his best-known painting.

What Deserves Attention

The lively, jokey presentation centres on surprising anecdotes alongside Leonardo’s art and inventions; consider whether that emphasis suits the reader’s interests.

A Conversation Worth Having

Which of Leonardo’s ideas or inventions would you most like to find out more about, and what would you want to know about how he developed it?

Reading Approach

Browse it together and let the reader choose an anecdote or invention to follow up. If they want to explore Leonardo’s life or inventions further, use that interest as a starting point for a separate conversation or further reading.

Confidence & Basis

Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.

What remains unconfirmed

A playful historical portrait: How the book balances these stories with historical context is unclear.
Inventions and ideas: The degree of technical explanation and distinction between imagined designs and completed projects are unclear.

Da Vinci and His Super Brain - Michael Cox - Google Books

Limited information

Checked: 2 October 2026.

Relevant to: A playful historical portrait; Inventions and ideas

Da Vinci and his super brain by Michael Cox | Open Library