What inspires great artists and what are their contributions to the world? First-time author Angela Nickerson delves into this subject with her book, "A Journey into Michelangelo's Rome." The book has been described as part travel guide and part biography. Nickerson writes about her vast knowledge of the Italian Renaissance genius and her own experiences with traveling throughout Italy.

Nickerson was a guest lecturer recently at the Bay St. Louis Library hosted by Bay Books owner Kay Gough. Nickerson talked about the chapter in her book that deals with Michelangelo's project to build Pope Julias' tomb, which took 40 years to complete. Fraught with political intrigue, financial hardships and massive egos, Michelangelo referred to it as "the tragedy of the tomb."

"The centerpiece of the tomb is the sculpture of Moses - hardly a tragedy," Nickerson said.