From marble to flesh: the biography of Michelangelo's David

Prologue. The attack

Origins. Conception ; David's first cousins: a prophet lost and a prophet found ; David's second cousins: the large white man and the golden man ; David's first parent: a little thief ; Birth at Fantiscritti ; The perilous journey home ; A new parent: the little redhead

Adolescence. Adoption ; Friends in high places: David's godfathers ; Michelangelo's contract ; Michelangelo's two poems ; How to carve the David ; What was the David worth? ; David's first unveiling ; A home for David ; Moving days ; Placing David on a pedestal ; The makeover

Maturity. A new Renaissance style ; Imperfect proportions ; A modest endowment ; David's weapon ; The biblical David ; The civic and political David ; The bronze David ; An act of God ; David's broken arm ; An unworthy companion

Midlife crisis. Critical fortunes and misfortunes ; David in peril ; The first commission to save the David ; The second commission ; The third commission and the dignity of the nation ; David's new home: the Accademia ; Relocating the David ; A birthday party for Michaelangelo ; The tribune ; The Moor David ; The Third David

The golden years. David's sexuality and censorship ; The David and homosexuality ; Michelangelo's sexuality ; To preserve, protect and defend a masterpiece ; Will David collapse? ; Cloning the David through the 21st century and beyond

Epilogue. Who owns the David?