with affinities and situations like me and the people I know.In fact
2014-07-22 2014-07-22File Name: B00M0DCVOI
Review
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Unlikely recipe for a page-turnerBy Designing BooksIf I described this book as a detailed biography of the great Baroque painter; you might wonder whether it could sustain your interest for a book-length read. But then you might miss this highly entertaining and skillfully written book---not only a master painter; serious scholar; and astute businessman; Rubens was also a diplomat and spy who traveled in the upper echelons of European society and royalty. Against the backdrop of the Spanish Inquisition; the Eighty Years War; and other historical events filled with intrigue; war; big personalities; and; yes; sex; the author tells a great tale of an extraordinary man in extraordinary times. Deftly written with great humor and care; Master of Shadows is a hard-to-put-down page-turner once you start. If only all "art history" was this much fun; hopefully Lamster will move on to other artists; assuming their stories are as fascinating as this.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Fine for General ReaderBy drkhimxzPresumably; scholarly readers will find little here to stimulate their interest; the general reader will find this footnote to art and diplomatic history; enlightening and entertaining.The author devotes sufficient space to the political-military conflicts of the various monarchies influential in the fate of the part of the Netherlands to allow us to understand the rationale for Rubens diplomatic endeavors. He provides sufficient art historical knowledge of Rubens Art to allow us to understand the reputation which gave him access to the leading Western European Courts which welcomed him even when his goals were understood by them to be contrary to their own.Shining above the particulars of Art and Diplomacy is the character of a man who; equal to any; typified the values of wise commitment to a Europe; free of the Religious; Political;Economic and Status hostilities which impeded creation of conditions for greater wealth and well-being for all.Well-written and a good story. Easily accessible to the average reader.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. My Book Club just read "Master of Shadows" so it ...By Anne MacLeanMy Book Club just read "Master of Shadows" so it was interesting to see the video which was superficially accurate but lacked the depth of the book. Detail was missing but seeing the actual pictures was delightful.
