The Agony and the Ecstasy

A rich, satisfying historical fiction about Michelangelo, and his most famous commissions (the Sistine Chapel, in particular). The characterizations are fairly familiar, though without being too cliche: Michelangelo, for example, is a driven, impassioned artist; but he's also a diligent worker, thankfully breaking the stereotype of the “effortless genius”.

Great book to learn more about not just Michelangelo but also Florence, Rome and all the crazy stuff happening during his life time in Italy.
I highly suggest to use Michelangelo: The Complete Sculpture, Painting, Architecture (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7010272-michelangelo) to see the pictures of all the art Michelangelo created - a great companion book.

I can understand why so many people recommend this novel. Did Michelangelo change the world? I think he very much did, marching along with giants like Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael (all of them also mentioned in the novel) he was THE revolutionist, a personality worthy of attention.
A well written biography with a lot of historical facts that one simply cannot disregard when studying whatever it is painting, sculpture and even architecture of the renaissance period.
I hope in the near future I will read more of Irving Stone, for now he's got my attention. 5 stars