Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling

Great for History Buffs

I love this book because it tells the story of such a famous piece of art, that after reading it you feel intimate with it. This book is really good for history buffs though, it is not as much of a story but teaches you a lot about his life and all his struggles with the ceiling and the many things that contributed to it. Also it has been researched very well, but still maintains the flow of a novel. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history and art, or someone who just likes to know more than the average person on such well known things.

Great book.

Not only a book about Michaelangelo, but a history of Pope Julius and the Catholic Church. This book is a great primer on Renaissance Italy and how Europe awoke after a long hibernation of the Dark Ages. All the cast and characters are here; the popes, the Medici's, the Borgia's, the patrons, and the artists. If you think Michaelangelo only created David or the Sistine Chapel, then this book will certainly enlighten. Highly recommended.

PW

A Great Book

This book is a enjoyable and will make you want to head out to Rome to see the ceiling in person. An interesting and enlightening read.

No questions after reading this!

King's research is evident in this book and it is so thorough, leaving out no detail in the process of painting The Sistine Chapel. I would reccomend this to anyone, interested in art or not, because after reading it, you just gain a whole new perspective and its worth your time!

Great book

A fascinating book, examines not only art history, but world history, design, petty family squables, political and religous upheaval, paint technique, paint chemistry, greek history etc etc, and how each impacted the work as it was done. I could not put this book down. It is a shame it is only a few hundred pages. Unfortunataly, the color plates are not precise or complete. You'll want to invest some time on the internet research larger samles of the work. Or better yet, visit the Vatican.

Fascinating

This book is a great read and an amazing view inside the world of papal politics. I took it with me to Italy and finished on the flight, then toured the Vatican. Unbelievable!

Fantastic!

You won't believe the politics and personalities of the Artists involved. I can't wait to see the Sistine Chapel in person -- Now I know what went on!

Ross King makes history, art and technology accessible

I greatly enjoyed this book, as well as Brunelleschi's Dome. Ross King has successfully made art history and the history of engineering accessible to the person who reads a lot, but may not be an historian or an academic. Makes me want to catch the next flight to Rome to see it in person. This book was an easy and enjoyable read, and opened my eyes to more about Raphael and Pope Innocent II (!!!!) that makes me want to know more. My copy is now travelling with friends, hopefully being enjoyed.

Excellent book

I loved this book. I read it before I visited the Sistine Chapel and enjoyed seeing things in a different light. A great book for everyone; even those who dislike non-fiction

excellent book

I was in high school the last time I learned anything substantive about Renaissance art and history. This book is very well written, fun, an excellent leisure read with plenty of facts and figures to please the more technically-minded.

Thank You Ross King !

This history and art appreciation volume may well appeal to everyone of us who has visited or will visit the Sistine Chapel. To take full advantage of Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling one may want to have a good book of the frescos and a map of sixteenth century Italy very close at hand. No, they are not absolutely necessary but with them the journey will really begin. At the end of the journey I felt that I almost met the men who are the principals of this history. In Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling Mr.King has done another (Brunelleschi's Dome) very engaging and engrossing history. He motivates one to want to return to Rome and Florence yet again. Ah, how much more we now know thanks to Mr. King. Definitely at least four stars. Thank you Mr.King. I, for one, am sure that you have a book on Raphael in the works and I am very much looking forward to it.

Captivating and Informative

Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling kept my attention throughout the whole book. Not only did I learn the facts about the painting of the Sistine Chapel, but King brought to life characters like Pope Julius II and Raphael. I highly recommend this to you if you are an art history fan, or just want an interesting read. I also feel as though I 'know' Michelangelo and was present during his amazing undertaking.

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