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The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo Paperback – September 7, 2004

by Irving Stone (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,567 ratings
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Irving Stone’s classic biographical novel of Michelangelo—the #1 New York Times bestseller in which both the artist and the man are brought to vivid, captivating life.

His time—the turbulent Renaissance, the years of poisoning princes, warring Popes, and the all-powerful de'Medici family…

His loves—the frail and lovely daughter of Lorenzo de'Medici, the ardent mistress of Marco Aldovrandi, and his last love, his greatest love—the beautiful, unhappy Vittoria Colonna...

His genius—a God-driven fury from which he wrested brilliant work that made a grasp for heaven unmatched in half a millennium...

His name—Michelangelo Buonarroti. Creator of the David, painter of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, architect of the dome of St. Peter's, Michelangelo lives once more in the tempestuous, powerful pages of Irving Stone's towering triumph. A masterpiece in its own right, this biographical novel offers a compelling portrait of one of the greatest artists the world has ever known.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    784 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Berkley
  4. Publication date
    September 7, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    5.31 x 1.66 x 7.96 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0451213238
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0451213235
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Stone] has painted the portrait of a supreme craftsman who was also one of the most versatile artists of all time."

About the Author

Irving Stone was born in San Francisco on July 14, 1903. He wrote several books in a genre that he coined the “biographical novel,” which recounted the lives of well-known historical figures. In these novels, Stone interspersed biography with fictional narrative on the psychology and private lives of his subjects. He also wrote biographies of Clarence Darrow and Earl Warren, and short biographies of men who lost presidential elections. He died on August 26, 1989.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley; Reprint edition (September 7, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 784 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0451213238
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451213235
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.44 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 1.66 x 7.96 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,567 ratings

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Irving Stone

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,567 global ratings
Couldn’t put it down
5 Stars
Couldn’t put it down
Gave me an appreciation for art I never had. I bought it for a trip to Italy. It made the trip great and when I saw the Sistine chapel and the David and the prisoners I wept. Art never moved me until I read this book. Thank u Irving stone and ofc Michelangelo ❤️❤️🙌🙌🙌
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Top reviews from the United States

Jacqueline R Knutson
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to read before going to Italy
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
Verified Purchase
Read this before going to Florence and Rome!
Learning about Michelangelo and his magnificent sculpture, art, and architecture made seeing his actual works SO much more exciting and meaningful!
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miriam ben malka
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've ever read
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book depicts one of the most fascinating eras in human history and makes us feel as if we are there.
All that unique period of the Reneaissance,- the glorious time of "Rebirth",- about 500 years ago, just when Columbus discovered America,- reviving the classical visual arts of ancient Greece and Rome,- with its most outstanding artists as well as highest-ranked religious persons,- popes, monks, rebels, and also military leaders and kings,- is painted on a vast canvas in front of the flabbergasted reader, providing a panorama of southern Europe at that time,- teaching him also about the daily life in Italy, its special foods, its dresses, its professions, its customs, its views, its architecture, its proverbs.
The English is classical yet clear and flowing.
The characters come alive through witty descriptions, the author also provides many facts about the beaux arts,- about marble, frescoes, painting, enlarging, perspectives, stone-cutting, sculpting,- all that as if by the way, without imposing and without becoming too scholarly, though he'd researched those subjects for years.
One discovers the secret religious, artisctic and psychological codes that lie behind each masterpiece, seeing them with refreshed opened eyes even after having known them for years from albums and classes.
The presumptuous tiitle is correct, indeed, emphasizing the agony but mostly the ecstasy of the artist, filling such lofty words with true meaning, connecting earth and heaven, being highly instructive yet colorful, dramatic, balanced.
And above all towers the wonderful man, Michelangelo, whose struggles become exemplary.
By depicting the masterpiseces of this creator of the most famous sculptures in the world,- the giant "David", the radiating "Moses", the heart-rending "Pieta",- the author Irving Stone (Stone!- What a fortunate "coincidence"!) created his own great masterpiece, touching the vary origins of life,- the rock from which we cut out our civilization,- our cities and houses,- with raw passion, tender love, and eternal faith.
I'd already read the book once, but had to purchase it so I could have it at home with me in my possession, and read it again and again, enjoying every moment. Highly recommanded, from every aspect!!!! Also a great gift for everyone who strives to pave his own individual way in life notwithstanding its dangers and disappoinmtments.
22 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars book about Italian historic figure
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
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Come on! This is a classic historic fiction. Betters than I have reviewed it.
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rwu
4.0 out of 5 stars An Extraordinary Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2022
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This is an extraordinary, detailed book, described as a "biographical novel of Michelangelo" so we know some creative writing has been included to fill in gaps where facts are not available. Nevertheless the book is extremely detailed (long 700+ pages) and there is an extensive listing of sources, so we can feel these creative sections could be minor. The historical period is one rich in events (Martin Luther's trial and reformaition, etc) It shows Michelangelo as a genius and offers detailed description of his creations (David, the Sistine Chapel etc. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the subject matter, but be forewarned: this is a long book. Michelangelo is a very complicated and fascinating personality. I am very pleased to have read this book and to have got to know him. I liked him.
12 people found this helpful
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DB
5.0 out of 5 stars Gifted to my son
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
Must read If you have any interest in Michelangelo or Renaissance Italy!

This was recommended from a local Italian I met while visiting Florence. She explained that so many books got it wrong about Michalangelo but not this one. Oliver Stone takes you through his personal and professional life and does a great job of explaining Michelangelo's behavior.
Best to read before visiting Florence.
2 people found this helpful
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audball
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
Gave me an appreciation for art I never had. I bought it for a trip to Italy. It made the trip great and when I saw the Sistine chapel and the David and the prisoners I wept. Art never moved me until I read this book. Thank u Irving stone and ofc Michelangelo ❤️❤️🙌🙌🙌
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audball
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2023
Gave me an appreciation for art I never had. I bought it for a trip to Italy. It made the trip great and when I saw the Sistine chapel and the David and the prisoners I wept. Art never moved me until I read this book. Thank u Irving stone and ofc Michelangelo ❤️❤️🙌🙌🙌
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7 people found this helpful
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Jennifer Cederstam
5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece of a Book
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2016
Verified Purchase
I originally purchased this book out of curiosity. I wanted to learn about and study a genius' life. A lover of art and design, I was naturally drawn to Michelangelo. After a substantial research on the best biographies based on his life and work, I was more than convinced that this book was it. And it didn't disappoint me at all!

I had never been to Italy when I started reading. A few months later, my sister and I planned a weekend in Europe, and partly because of this book, I convinced my sister we had to spend a weekend in Rome. Shortly after, I spent a week in Florence, and it was the very first time I felt like an informed tourist, knowing what I was marveling at.

The Agony and the Ecstasy is a novel-like biography of Michelangelo intertwined with historical accounts and facts about his life. It is written in such a way you won't want to put the book down. I felt like I lived inside Michelangelo's head; like I really got to know his person, simultaneously studying art and design history. It's set during the Italian Renaissance, and Michelangelo was a central figure of that glorious period. The book is filled with information. So far, it is the most substantial book I've read, and it's the first time I've taken my time reviewing a book.

The book is by no means an easy read; It took me weeks to finish. In fact, when I first bought it, I had to set it aside before I made it halfway, and I had to re-read it from the start. As I read the last pages, my heart ached as Michelangelo was getting weaker and weaker. It was quite an experience feeling like I lived side by side such a genius. All the masterpieces he forged during his life—just wow!

This book has sparked a deeper interest in me for art and design, and now for a newfound love: sculpture.
Thank you, Irving Stone, for this masterpiece of a book. ''♥︎
89 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Grandma Gwen
5.0 out of 5 stars A Ripping Good Read
Reviewed in Canada on March 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book has got to be one of the best I have ever read! I've enjoyed I. Stone for many years, but this has to be one of his best efforts. I learned so much about art, dedication, and Italy in the seventeen hundreds. A true joy to read. I was bereft when I finished it!
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Niranjan Gupte
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in India on September 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
This biographical carving is immensely powerful, the author transports reader to the times of Michelangelo to show his life events. I feel that Michelangelo’s soul was guiding Irving Stone in completing this herculean task of selecting all important events from His life.
One person found this helpful
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Cania
5.0 out of 5 stars interessante
Reviewed in Brazil on August 2, 2020
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Escrita agradável e dw fácil leitura.
One person found this helpful
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Pep Carpenter
5.0 out of 5 stars A gift
Reviewed in Australia on July 9, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read this book years ago and enjoyed it, so I purchased it recently as a gift for someone who is interested in Michelangelo's works.
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Esther J.
5.0 out of 5 stars Captivant !!
Reviewed in France on August 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
Absolument captivant. De preference le lire en Version Originale, pour ne pas perdre le moindre details de cette belle ecriture si imagee avec laquelle Irving Stone nous comble !
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