Discusses and illustrates why three crucial aspects of Leonardo da Vinci's life -- his illegitimate birth, his left-handedness, and his homosexuality -- drove an ordinary man to make extraordinary contributions in art, science, engineering, design, and philosophy. The author shows how many of his 15th century contributions still have relevance to the 21st century and why Leonardo's abiding belief that "every difficulty can be overcome by effort" is a lesson we need to instil in students of today. As one reviewer noted: "You have made me a believer (and so will) just about anyone else who reads what you have written..."