The Borgias - by G J Meyer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"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

"The Borgias is a fascinating look into the lives of the notorious Italian Renaissance family and its reputation for womanizing, murder and corruption. Meyer turns centuries of accepted wisdom about the Borgias on its head, probing deep into contemporary documents and neglected histories to reveal some surprising truths. . . . The Borgias: The Hidden History is a gripping history of a tempestuous time and an infamous family."--Shelf Awareness

"Meyer brings his considerable skills to another infamous Renaissance family, the Borgias [and] a fresh look into the machinations of power in Renaissance Italy. . . . [He] makes a convincing case that the Borgias have been given a raw deal."--Historical Novels Review

"The mention of the Borgia family often conjures up images of a ruthless drive for power via assassination, serpentine plots, and sexual debauchery. This is partially owing to propaganda spread by contemporary rivals of the Borgias, nineteenth-century Renaissance historians, and even films and television shows. . . . [Meyer] convincingly looks past the mythology to present a more nuanced portrait of some members and their achievements. . . . [The] Borgias are treated with . . . evenhandedness in this well-researched and surprising study."--Booklist

"Many accounts of the Borgias focus on the most scandalous stories about this powerful Italian Renaissance family. . . . Meyer argues that many of these salacious tales are untrue and the result of slander. Through a logical and thoughtful examination of sources . . . he shows that claims of corruption, poisoning, incest, and murder are untrue or greatly exaggerated."--Library Journal

"The lively narrative makes a familiar but still incredibly complicated historical period easier to get a handle on."--Waterloo Region Record

About the Author

G. J. Meyer is the author of two popular works of history, The Tudors and A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, as well as Executive Blues and The Memphis Murders. He received an M.A. from the University of Minnesota, where he was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and later was awarded Harvard University's Nieman Fellowship in Journalism. He has taught at colleges in Des Moines, St. Louis, and New York, and now lives in Wiltshire, England.