Death Of The Master Builder: Love Envy and the Struggle To Raise the Greatest Cathedral of the Italian Renaissance

In 1469 Tuscany when Dario Rossi a hedonistic city ruler sees a vision of himself writhing in eternal flames he is shaken to his core. Desperate to avoid damnation Dario pleads with Amadeo a righteous builder to absolve his sins by constructing the worlds largest cathedral. But Amadeo has heard the rumors-about the women streaming nightly through the palazzo the murders and the disappearances. How he longs to build such a monument to God! Though it will consume a lifetime he agrees to the task.But as Dario watches the pious builder direct his artisans and the walls rise the contrast between the two rankles. For Dario is a slave to pleasure debauchery and power. When his disgust at the mans virtue finally boils over he schemes treachery and plots the builders moral downfall.A chance meeting throws Amadeo with the beautiful fun-loving Simona and hes enchanted. Though she declares her love and pursues him he clings desperately to a vow of chastity.As the work proceeds Naples declares war and Dario runs out of money. When Amadeos unpaid workers fear invasion and flee the city he gives in to despair. Then the cardinal begins an Inquisition against heretics and friends warn the builder to stop questioning Church doctrine.Will Amadeo avoid Simonas advances Darios temptations and the coming Inquisition? Will he finish his great work before he dies? Or will Dario undo everything?