Scattered amongst da Vinci's papers and hidden for centuries were dozens of clues about the first articulated human robot in the history of western civilization. Rosheim, a master robotics engineer studying human motion, found odd bits of data scattered though da Vinci's mechanical drawings and notes. Using his skills as an engineer (and acquiring new ones, such as learning Italian), Rosheim not only assembled evidence that da Vinci designed the first robots but also assembled working models from appropriate materials. This accessible account rivals a well-written detective story, and the illustrations are not only informative but handsome. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)