Michelangelo and the popes ceiling is a 2002 book written by ross king a canadian novelist and non fiction writerit won nominations in 2003 for the governor generals literary award canada and the national book critics circle award. Michelangelo and the popes ceiling recounts the four extraordinary years michelangelo spent laboring over the vast ceiling while the power politics and personal rivalries that abounded in rome swirled around him battling against ill health financial difficulties domestic problems the popes impatience and a bitter rivalry with the . Michelangelo and the popes ceiling recounts the four extraordinary years michelangelo spent laboring over the vast ceiling while the power politics and personal rivalries that abounded in rome swirled around him battling against ill health financial difficulties domestic problems the popes impatience and a bitter rivalry with the . The story of michelangelos struggle to obey a pope and paint a fresco on a ceiling though he always considered himself a sculptor makes for a dramatic book the author shares the story sequentially as michelangelo slowly makes his way across the ceiling over a four year period and intertwines this story with the story of the pope and his . Synopsis from the acclaimed author of brunelleschis dome and leonardo and the last supper the riveting story of how michelangelo against all odds created the masterpiece that has ever since adorned the ceiling of the sistine chapelin 1508 despite strong advice to the contrary the powerful pope julius ii commissioned michelangelo buonarroti to paint the ceiling of the newly restored