The Polymath: A Cultural History from Leonardo da Vinci to Susan Sontag

This book is a comprehensive history of polymaths in the Western world, spanning from the Renaissance to the present day.

With 500 profiles of influential individuals who excelled in multiple fields, this book provides an absorbing group portrait and intellectual history.

From Leonardo Da Vinci to Oliver Sacks, these polymaths have made significant contributions to various disciplines, often pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

The author argues for a more rounded view of these scholars, highlighting their wide-ranging successes and how they rose to prominence during a time of rapid growth in knowledge.

This book is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of ideas, intellectual history, or simply fascinated by the accomplishments of these remarkable individuals.