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Endorsement of Agony and the Ecstasy

I just re-read the Agony and the Ecstasy prior to traveling to Rome and Florence. It truly enhanced my appreciation of the art and history of these cities. And, it was a good read !

Posted by
16024 posts

In preparation for our trip to Rome, my husband is reading "Michaelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling" which is also very good.

Posted by
15560 posts

Sue, I did that too. At the back of the book is a list of all Michelangelo's extant works with locations. I set a travel goal to see them all. Still working on it, but most are checked off.

Posted by
417 posts

I read Agony and Ecstasy when I was 14 years old. I fell in love with Michaelangelo at that time. My dream trip was the Best of Italy in the year 2012. I saw Michaelangelo's "David" on my 60th birthday! Getting to visit Florence and celebrate my birthday with 26 of my new best friends was incredible. Seeing the Pieta a few days later in Rome just put the icing on the cake. I re-read the book before our trip. That book is wonderful. I heartily recommend it to anyone going to Italy. It will help you understand the Renaissance. (Btw I'm an Art History fan!)

Posted by
3938 posts

I read those two books a few years ago and really appreciated all the research Ross King had done for the Pope's Ceiling. After those books I read Brunelleschi's Dome and that made me want to climb the dome and see the tools left behind and his innovative style. Not as captivating as the Popes Ceiling but a worthwhile read.