Michelangelo and the Popes Ceiling, Ross King
Michelangelo and the Popes Ceiling, Ross King
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Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling

Author: Ross King

Narrator: Alan Sklar

Abridged: 7 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/01/2003


Synopsis

In 1508, despite strong advice to the contrary, the powerful Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the newly restored Sistine Chapel. With little experience as a painter (though famed for his sculpture David), Michelangelo was reluctant to begin the massive project.Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling recounts the four extraordinary years Michelangelo spent laboring over the vast ceiling while the power politics and personal rivalries that abounded in Rome swirled around him. Battling against ill health, financial difficulties, domestic problems, the pope’s impatience, and a bitter rivalry with the brilliant young painter Raphael, Michelangelo created scenes so beautiful that they are considered one of the greatest masterpieces of all time. A panorama of illustrious figures converged around the creation of this great work—from the great Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus to the young Martin Luther—and Ross King skillfully weaves them through his compelling historical narrative, offering uncommon insight into the intersection of art and history.

About Ross King

Ross King is the highly praised author of Brunelleschi’s Dome (the Book Sense Nonfiction Book of the Year in 2000), Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling (on the New York Times extended bestseller list), The Judgment of Paris, Machiavelli, and two novels, Ex Libris and Domino. He lives outside Oxford in England.

About Alan Sklar

Alan Sklar, a graduate of Dartmouth, has excelled in his career as a freelance voice actor. Named a Best Voice of 2009 by AudioFile magazine, his work has earned him several Earphones Awards, a Booklist Editors’ Choice Award (twice), a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and Audiobook of the Year by ForeWord magazine. He has also narrated thousands of corporate videos for clients such as NASA, Sikorsky Aircraft, IBM, Dannon, Pfizer, AT&T, and SONY.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jean on September 13, 2012

What a treat. This book felt like the best read I've had in a long time. This may seem unfair to some of the great books I've read recently, but this one was at the same time instructive and of very easy access. It covered everything from the technical aspects of painting frescos to the artistic con......more

Goodreads review by Tung on January 09, 2008

Russ King’s bestseller describes the painting of the Sistine Chapel under the reign of Pope Julius II, a notorious tyrant of a pope. The book details the technical challenges of the painting of the Sistine Chapel (ranging from paint issues to scaffolding issues to design issues), the life of Michela......more


Quotes

“King casts fiction’s spell…with expertise and contagious enthusiasm.” Booklist (starred review)

“Splendid, thorough, and detailed…Sklar’s narration is perfect for the project. His lively and expressive reading add a realistic edge to a centuries-old tale. He speaks passionately and his accent on the Italian names and phrases is flawless.” Publishers Weekly (audio review)

“A legend-busting, richly detailed account…a pleasure.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)


Awards

  • National Book Critics Circle Award