Then and Now

by W. Somerset Maugham

Book Overview

Introducing the world of Machiavelli, this title covers three important months in the career of that crafty politician, worldly seducer and high priest of schemers. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: B002OKONUM
• Release Date: January 1946
• Publisher: Doubleday
• Length: 278 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Historical novel that works

This historical novel seems a digression from Maugham's normal run of work. As such, it effectively recreates a trip taken my Niccolo Machievelli, representing his native city of Florence, and a young aide, to negotiate with Cesare Borgia. Machievelli and Borgia's characers are realistically portrayed, along with the constant intrigue, deception and treachery as practiced among the powerful, and others, in the Italy of the city states. A sub-plot involving Machievelli's hoped-for seduction of his host's attractive young wife is also believable: he sees the affair as an extension of politics, and the reader is given a view of the views suffered by women of that bygone era. In sum, this book is definitely readable, and recommendable.