The Borgias: The Hidden History

By G.J. Meyer and Emil Conrad Volz

Book Overview

An unprecedented portrait of the Renaissance-era Borgia family and their storied milieu, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Tudors

"A vivid and at times startling reappraisal of one of the most notorious dynasties in history . . . If you thought you knew the Borgias, this book will surprise you."--Tracy Borman, author of Queen of the Conqueror and Elizabeth's Women

"Fascinating . . . a gripping history of a tempestuous time and an infamous family."--Shelf Awareness

In the glorious and blood-drenched pageant known to us as the Italian Renaissance, the Borgias held center stage. History claims that Rodrigo Borgia bought the papal crown and prostituted the Roman Church; that Cesare Borgia, after becoming a teenage cardinal, turned into the most treacherous cutthroat of a violent time; and that Lucrezia Borgia, though beautiful, was also shockingly immoral. Today the members of this infamous dynasty remain immutable symbols of the depths to which humanity can descend.

But do the Borgias deserve this notorious reputation? Grounding his narrative in exhaustive research and drawing from rarely examined key sources, acclaimed author G. J. Meyer brings fascinating new insight to the real people within the age-encrusted myth. Equally illuminating is the light he shines on the brilliant circles in which the Borgias moved and the thrilling era they helped to shape--a time of wars and political convulsions that reverberate to the present day.

Stunning in scope, rich in telling detail, The Borgias is an indelible work sure to become the new standard on a family and a world that continue to enthrall.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345526929
• ISBN13: 9780345526922
• Release Date: August 1970
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 5.5" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Will the real Borgias please stand up?

No book can cover everything. If G. J. Meyer had time to explain the entire environment in which the Borgias lived, we wouldn't have space to detail what they were like and what they did. Be prepared to read about some not-nice people. Because you really should have at least some understanding of the history before you even start to tackle this book about the Borgias. I suggest you read “The Italian Renaissance” (1963) by J. H. Plumb.