The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo

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Summary: A Must-Read For Travelers to Italy!
Review: While many aspects of the book are conjectural, reading this book is a memorable and entertaining way to learn about culture in Renaissance Italy and specifically about Michelangelo. The book makes it easy to understand and remember the political, social, and spiritual issues that influenced the art of this great genius. I strongly recommend reading it with a book of photographs of Michelangelo's works handy. This is an excellent book to read on the plane when going to Italy!

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Summary: Magnificent,Superb,Great
Review: The book is so beautifully written that it will make you read it again and again.It takes you back to the renaissance.It talks about Michelangelo's agonies & ecstasies.His troubled times with the popes.His life under the patronage of Lorenzo de Medici.The troubles he had making his masterpieces,such as,the Sistine ceiling,David,the dome of St.Peters.It also talks about his life love,the plagues,the wars,the arts and the artists of his time.Over all this book Fanstastic & out of this world.After reading this you would want to read Stone's other books.

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Summary: The Agony and the Ecstasy
Review: This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. Powerful! It brought greater light to my human anatomy class, and increased love for the human form as a great divine gift. It also aided in deepening the eyes of my understanding in the art field.

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Summary: A must read if going to Italy.
Review: I read this book many years ago before travelling to Europe. What a great idea that was! As I walked the streets of Florence and passed through the doors of the Duomo I could almost hear the voices and footsteps of Michaelangelo and his peers. This is a book rich in Italian history & is presented in a storyline that is both entertaining and enthralling! A must read for anyone travelling to Florence & Rome. It brings the Italian streets, its art and history to life. Or if you just appreciate the mastery and beauty of the works of art created by Michaelangelo and other contemporaries of his day this is a very good read.

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Summary: A wonderful insight into the life of a great Artist.
Review: This book gave me an incredible look into the life of the Greatest Artist of all time. It is a complete and fascinating look at Michaelangelo's professional life, from the age of thirteen through his death. Mr. Stone not only details his Art work, but the author discusses Michaelangelo's personal life, including his loves, his political views, his determination and his passion for life as it related to his art. I recommend this book for all who are interested in Art, or those who might enjoy reading about a person who, in many ways, has had a great influence on life as we know it today.

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Summary: Astonishing man, great book!
Review: Extraordinary language, fascinating story - one of the 10 best books I ever read!

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Summary: The greatest book on the greatest artist.
Review: This is the first I.Stone book i've ever read and i loved it so much.Even though i'm 12 i liked it so much that i finished it in less than a week.

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Summary: Always with me
Review: I read this book in my native Bosnia, some 13 years ago, and it never left me, neither in Germany, nor in the States. I know parts of it by heart, and few things in my life have touched me as deeply as my search in Rome and Florence for the masterpieces whose creation was described in this book. It is about a life of genius,creation and struggle, readable it not only as a biography, but also as a fit description of human condition in difficult times. It has helped me quite often to realize what the most important thing in life is: being true to one's own ideals and goals. The best book I have ever read by an American author! (Even though I love Faulkner...)

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Summary: A superb novel that draws you in and doesn't let go.
Review: The AGONY AND THE ECSTASY is one of the best books I have ever read. I have not read as many books outside of school as I would have liked in my 17 years so far, so I place it higher on my list of favorite books, than that of someone having more discretion and being more well-read than I. I didn't want to put the book down and now that I am finished with it, would like to read it again. This was my first time ever reading a biographical novel and I assure you, it is not the last, for I have checked out another two days ago and throughly enjoy it as well. Mr. Stone does an excellent job in describing Michelangelo's works of art.I felt as if I could see them and when we studied them in my Humanities class, it was if I had seen them before, though they had only been in my mind. Mr. Stone and his research is very credible, for I continue to read about Michelangelo and find the information consistent to what I have read. The writing has so much emotion that it draws the reader in. There were nights when I was reading, that I couldn't stop because the happenings in the book were so intense that I could not force myself to put the book down. If something good happened in the book, I found myself smiling and my spirits uplifted. At the end of the book, I wanted to read more, I think I reread the last page twice in shock that it was over and I didn't want it to be finished. If I were you, I would quit reading these reviews and start reading the book. I hope it gives you as much pleasure and enjoyment as it has given me.

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Summary: 40 years have not dimmed the memory of reading this book
Review: I read Irving Stone's masterpiece in the early 60's not long after having been in Italy. How I wished I had read it before - but it hadn't been written yet. I had read his earlier "Lust for Life" whilst living in the Netherlands - how it brought Van Gogh to life for me, both in Holland and France. In three weeks we leave for Italy, the first visit since 1960, the highlights being a walking tour in Tuscany and the art and architecture of Florence and Rome. What better excuse for a re-read of the 'A and the E'. Is it still in print? Obviously so from all the recent reviews and I'm glad others have experienced the same joy as I did nearly 40 years back. And please don't judge it by the movie - it couldn't possibly compete with Irving Stone and the Theatre of the Mind