Overview

"A traveler's quest for Michelangelo's most troubled work of art--the notorious Tomb of Pope Julius II. ""A delightful combination of art history and light drama."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Like a trip to Italy: edifying, informative, and unpredictable."" -- BookLife Reviews His artistic ambitions crumbling as fast as his marriage, Sam careens through Europe seeking inspiration in the great Michelangelo who, for all his success, struggled to complete what was to be his magnum opus. Sam teams up with an intriguing Italian woman who opens his eyes to the deeper meaning of the Tomb: how Michelangelo's grand ambitions got continually derailed. The result? A profound ""midlife crisis."" Incredibly, Michelangelo at Midlife is the only non-academic book about the Tomb. Sam travels from Florence, where Michelangelo began the project, to the quarries of Carrara where he dreamed up a colossal 50-foot pyramid studded with David--sized statues. From Paris to Venice, the Sistine to Amsterdam, Sam chases the tangled 40-year tale of the Tomb. The story takes on added life with 180 COLOR illustrations, including graphics of the Tomb's evolution. The author, Gene Openshaw, has also written numerous best-selling books and PBS TV shows with travel guru Rick Steves. Michelangelo at Midlife culminates in Rome, where the parallel stories converge. Can Michelangelo--and Sam--navigate the choppy waters of middle age and realize their youthful dreams? ""This is an entertaining treat, especially for art lovers and wanderlust-afflicted travelers looking for a breezy read."" -- Kirkus Reviews"

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Reviews

"""A delightful combination of art history and light drama ...told with intelligence... conveyed with impressive emotional poignancy... filled with humor and tinged with an ironic acknowledgement of the travails of life. This is an entertaining treat, especially for art lovers and wanderlust-afflicted travelers looking for a breezy read."" - Kirkus Reviews"

Author Information

"Gene Openshaw has written more than a dozen books and TV shows with travel guru Rick Steves. Their book ""Europe's Top 100 Masterpieces"" highlights classic works of art. ""Europe 101: History and Art for the Traveler"" is still going strong after three decades. Their guidebooks--to Paris, Rome, London, and more--are some of the best-selling guides in the English language. For television, Gene has co-authored the popular PBS documentaries ""The Story of Fascism"" and the ambitious multi-part series ""Art of Europe."" Interviews with Gene can often be heard on NPR radio. As a composer, Gene has written an opera called ""Matter."""

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