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" Ross King does an excellent job of telling the tale of Michelangelo's painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in context of the time. By juxtaposing Michelangelo's work on the ceiling with that of Raphael's frescos in the Pope's chambers, Mr. King reveals the interesting history of art. Like his other works, Mr. King tells the story in short vignettes loaded with detail and the occasional bit of wit. I recommend this book to people who are looking to get a broader understand of the history that surrounded the painting of the ceiling and motivated Michelangelo. "
- Mireserenya, 2/20/2014
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" This was really quite good. It is the story of Michelangelo's commission to paint the frescoes on the Sistine Chapel. It is also a history of the times and Michelangelo's troubled relationship with the Pope. "
- Belinda, 2/16/2014
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" Very good story of the Sistine Chapel painting. Lots of good stories and historical relevance. Plus the art stuff. Fascinating book. "
- Richard, 2/6/2014
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" One of my top ten for history! The author captures the atmosphere of the renaissance, the personalities of some amazing figures, and a nutty pope! Really, a great one! "
- Craig, 2/3/2014
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" I really didn't think I would enjoy this book. I'm not a history fan. I'm not a non-fiction fan. But I was very interested in the whole story. It wasn't my cup of tea, but I still read the whole thing, so that's saying something. "
- Jamie, 1/23/2014
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" I'll find more of King's book and read them. I found most of this book interesting if not fascinating. Reading primarily during my lunch hours, this book was a challenge to maintain to the flow. My only disappointment with this book was what I'll describe as a lack of painter's empathy. I never really felt like I could understand the thinking process that had to be burning like a rocket in Michelangelo's head. "
- David, 1/22/2014
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" What a fabulous account of Michelangelo's most well-known project. The author covers a wide range of topics in an approachable manner. I learned so many fascinating facts, which I will not divulge, as they may spoil your discovery. Written by the same man who wrote the novel "Ex-Libris." "
- Sharon, 1/16/2014
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" Ross King has a wonderful knack for making history come to life - along with the ability to make the technical aspects of his books very understandable. "
- Jackie, 12/20/2013
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" some points were interesting, but i found it hard to retain what i had read frm day-to-day. "
- Ally, 11/12/2013
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" If you have any interest in renaissance art or poltics this one's a must. Not a light read, as it's filled with many passages with intricate details and facts, it's also the brillantly simply tale of two oddly similar men. "
- Benitha, 10/12/2013
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" wonderful to read this book after seeing the sistine chapel in Rome last week. "
- Wendy, 9/13/2013
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" A very detailed and interesting read on Michelangelo, other artists of his day, the Pope, and the time period. Good if you love art history. "
- Christina, 6/12/2013
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" I like the book, and really found some of the author's point of views very straight forward. I liked how he showed Michelangelo's struggle with the demands of the Pope and his own personal conflicts he was facing. "
- Kristy, 2/9/2013
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" Made me want to read everything I could about Michelangelo! "
- Carmen, 8/15/2012
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" I really just "skimmed" this book (is there an aural equivalent for skimming a book?), but I got some interesting tidbits from it. Also, I LOVED the narrator's voice. I could have listened to him read the phone book and been perfectly happy. "
- Elisa, 5/9/2012
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" Really enyoable story of the years Michelangelo spent painting the famous celing. Filled with factoids as to what was going on in the world at that time. "
- A., 3/9/2012
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" i've been working on this book for about two years off and on. king basically builds the story around the painting of the sistine chapel, which is fascinating but also a bit dry at times. "
- Rachel, 11/24/2011
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" Loved this book...especially if you like non-fiction that reads like fiction. I love art history, so this was very interesting for me to read. Didn't realize that Michelangelo had so many struggles when painting the sistine chapel. "
- Kelli, 10/26/2011
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" Ahhhh! History as fiction! How wonderfully accessible and delightful to read, taking the reader directly into Michelangelo's world and the process of painting the Sistine Chapel....it's been a long time since I've read it, but I still reguard it at a favorite. "
- Anna, 10/11/2011
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" This is a dense book, but very interesting and detailed. I didn't think so much interesting information could come from a ceiling fresco, but it certainly can. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in art history or Catholicism of the 16th century. "
- Jeni, 8/15/2011
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" A great book for those who have been fascinated by the Sistine Chapel and other great works of art. "
- Mtiempo, 8/8/2011
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" What a fascinating and frightening place Renaissance Rome Italy was. King has a nice style, very readable. He gives all the relevant facts without being dry and boring. Michelangelo certainly comes across as a very complex man. "
- Barbara, 7/9/2011
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" Well, uh... this is about Michelangelo painting the Sistene chapel. What can I say? Holy shit! might be good. "
- Docia, 5/9/2011
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" I need a trip to Rome so I can see the fresco with new insight! Loved the historical context for this time in Michelangelo's career, as well as the tidbits of what his relationships with family, clergy and other artists was like. Excellent.
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- Amy, 4/6/2011
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" If you have any interest in renaissance art or poltics this one's a must. Not a light read, as it's filled with many passages with intricate details and facts, it's also the brillantly simply tale of two oddly similar men.
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- Benitha, 2/5/2011
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" Loved it! Now I have got to go really look at that Sistene Chapel. Amazing.
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- Jennifer, 1/24/2011
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" Very good. review to come
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- James, 1/23/2011
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" King illuminates political history of the papacy as well as the often consternating personality of Michelangelo.
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- Guy, 1/12/2011
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" I have read most of ross kings books. If you like history (especially art history) his books are great! I wish these had been my reading in college instead.
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- micha, 12/5/2010
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" It was a little slow to start, but I enjoyed the remainder....each chapter covers one of the panels on the chapel and how Michelangelo developed it and it mixes in some of the history of Pope Julius II in parallel. Very intersting historical perspective.
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- Peter, 10/16/2010
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