Irving Stone, born in 1903 in San Francisco, California, was an American writer known for his biographical novels that vividly portrayed the lives of historical figures. After studying at the University of California, Berkeley and working briefly as a schoolteacher, Stone turned to writing full-time. He gained acclaim for his meticulously researched novels, which include "Lust for Life" (1934) about Vincent van Gogh, "The Agony and the Ecstasy" (1961) about Michelangelo, and "The Passions of the Mind" (1971) about Sigmund Freud. Stone's approach blended fictional narrative with factual biography, bringing to life the inner struggles and achievements of his subjects with empathy and detail. His works not only became bestsellers but also contributed to popularizing historical figures and making their stories accessible to a broader audience. Irving Stone's dedication to biographical storytelling left a lasting impact on literature, influencing how historical figures are perceived and remembered.
Stone gives his signature style and thought to this story of Michelangelo. He points out often in this book that Michelangelo, before beginning a work, asks what it is he is trying to capture in the moment of his painting, sculpture, or poem. So it i...
