Pursuing a degree in art history can have it's downside. As much as I love art and the history of it, and writing about both, I am aware of being indoctrinated to particular viewpoints that the general public cannot access easily. There's a special language we were taught to write in, a language that didn't explain art but rather enveloped it in a cloak of specialized language. On the other hand, those who have not had an education in art often talk down to their readers and can't be trusted to know enough to give clear reliable facts. I'm delighted to say, Mark Hudson does not bear any of these faults with his writing in Titian, The Last Days. Not only does can he be relied to report factual information, but he takes advantage of his creative writing skills to tell an absorbing sensual tale. And this tale is not only about Titian, but a story of Mark's own odyssey to discover the truth. We are given an inside look into what goes on behind the scenes in the world of art history, the thrill of discovery as well as the frustration of endless dead-end streets. But Mark endures it all with the passion he has for art, much like the artists and patrons he chases after. There is suspense, sex, intrigue, and intellectual pinings. The book itself is a rich adventure and I am keeping it handy on my shelf to use as a reference for my own research. Thank you Mark!