"A page turner . . . well-argued and well-informed . . . infinitely accessible for the general reader . . . bold, provocative."

--"Los Angeles Review of Books"

"Perceptively renders the competition between Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo . . . in this far-ranging account of their rivalry, Jones evokes also a period, a place and the ideas that shaped both men and their times . . . an informative celebration of two competing geniuses."

--"Richmond Times-Dispatch"

"Vibrant . . . sparing neither the two artists, nor Florence, their quirks of character. They are flanked by a vivid parade of supporting characters . . . delightful."

--"The American Scholar"

"Everyone loves an artist-rivalry . . . Jones adds recent research and an abundance of storytelling verve to his telling."

--"ArtInfo, " "Modern Art Notes' best books of 2012"

"Intricate . . . provocative."

--"The Wall Street Journal"

"Fascinating, revelatory, often daring . . . a wonderful guide to this dramatic moment of history. The most rewarding parts of the book are [Jones's] bold and often persuasive speculations about the ways in which the works of the two contentious heroes speak to each other."

--"The Barnes and Noble Review"

"Recreates for us the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of 16th century Florence . . . engaging and informative . . . not just for historians or art aficionados . . . illuminated but not overwhelmed by accurate historical detail that compellingly creates the world the two antagonists inhabited, replete with a cast of interesting and colorful supporting characters . . . [and] that propels us as surely as any well written novel, straight through to the final page."

--"New York Journal of Books"

"A portrait of two geniuses continually trying to outdo each other . . . a scholarly work . . . recommended for students of art history as well as the general reader interested in these two Renaissance masters."

--"Library