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The Borgias: History's Most Notorious Dynasty
The Borgia family of Renaissance Italy has become a byword for pride, lust, cruelty, avarice, splendour and venomous intrigue. It has inspired abomination and fascination in almost equal measure, perhaps best epitomised by Lucrezia Borgia, a woman vilified down the centuries as the embodiment of the scheming femme fatale.
We continue to be mesmerized by the more scandalous elements of the Borgia legend: the unscrupulous means by which Rodrigo Borgia was elected Pope Alexander VI and then exploited his position to advance his children, notably Cesare and Lucrezia, and his wider family; the pope’s extortionate greed; the unparalleled corruption at the heart of Alexander’s pontificate; the brutal elimination of rivals by assassination, execution and poison; the incestuous relationships between father and daughter, and between brother and sister. Not surprisingly, there was even talk of supernatural pacts with the Devil. The Borgia tale has not only spawned numerous historical accounts of the family, but also inspired writers of romantic fiction, poets, dramatists, painters and musicians.
Carefully sifting fact from fiction, The Borgias is a compelling year-by-year account of their scandalous and tumultuous reign. Each year is covered by a concise, informative and accessible narrative, amplified by extensive quotation from contemporary sources and accompanied by stunning images of the period – including illuminations, portraits, maps, seals, tapestries and original artefacts.
This sumptuous and lavishly produced book is popular history at its best, written by a master historian.
We continue to be mesmerized by the more scandalous elements of the Borgia legend: the unscrupulous means by which Rodrigo Borgia was elected Pope Alexander VI and then exploited his position to advance his children, notably Cesare and Lucrezia, and his wider family; the pope’s extortionate greed; the unparalleled corruption at the heart of Alexander’s pontificate; the brutal elimination of rivals by assassination, execution and poison; the incestuous relationships between father and daughter, and between brother and sister. Not surprisingly, there was even talk of supernatural pacts with the Devil. The Borgia tale has not only spawned numerous historical accounts of the family, but also inspired writers of romantic fiction, poets, dramatists, painters and musicians.
Carefully sifting fact from fiction, The Borgias is a compelling year-by-year account of their scandalous and tumultuous reign. Each year is covered by a concise, informative and accessible narrative, amplified by extensive quotation from contemporary sources and accompanied by stunning images of the period – including illuminations, portraits, maps, seals, tapestries and original artefacts.
This sumptuous and lavishly produced book is popular history at its best, written by a master historian.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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392 people want to read
About the author
Mary Hollingsworth
12 books62 followersMary Hollingsworth is a scholar of the Italian Renaissance, and author of The Cardinal's Hat, The Borgias: History's Most Notorious Dynasty and Patronage in Renaissance Italy: From 1400 to the Early Sixteenth Century.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 21, 2018
I've always been fascinated with Italy's Renaissance period (1320–1520) - especially the notorious Borgia family - the fabrications, scandals, ruthless killing sprees, and the corrupted politics upon many other things, have all have left a horrible stain on the Catholic church.
It was really interesting to learn how this family climbed their way up that social ladder, only to tumble all the way back down.
Let's talk about martial affairs though. Marriage is a definitive dogma in the Catholic faith, so I never understood why a priest would be an exception to this because there is no dogma that says a priest cannot marry. I understand that being a person with such power in the church, it's evident that they would be more inclined to play favoritism with their own children - I think that's just human nature, however. What scandalized the church was the fact that Rodrigo Borgia unethically maneuvered his way to the top and shamelessly used his children as political pawns.
Look, there are horrible people in this world regardless of their religion or lack thereof. This doesn't mean that I don't believe that our church needs to modernize. I love my faith but have certain people in power been following their own will or His will? I just can't imagine a god condemning anyone for being true to themselves -- after all, he "created" us in His image. I will say this though: you don't need to believe in Catholicism in order to agree that the 10 Commandments would truly make the world a better place.
I understand why this book has such a low rating; however, I found this to be decently informative, even though it only skimmed the surface of their history. It did feel a bit tedious picking this up at times because the information isn't conveyed in an outgoing manner, so if you're looking for an enthralling read, you won't find it here. That being said, I liked the format of this book - it was very quick to the point. My only qualm was that sentences throughout this book were a bit choppy at times.
So if you are looking to brush up on your history, then go in God's speed and pick up a copy of this book. I got mine from my local library =).
February 16, 2016
I am throwing in the towel with this book at chapter seven. I own the Quercus paperback edition of the book.
The information in this book is quite good. The reader is taught a lot about practices within the church, the college of cardinals, the election of a new pope, political alliances within the Italian city states and improvement of the city of Rome during this time. I cannot fault Hollingsworth's knowledge of the facts.
While the information within this book is alright, the execution and discussion of the facts is very poor. The book is written in very strict chronological order, with many sentences starting on such and such a date this happened, making the reading experience rigid and dull (I never thought I'd use the word dull to describe late 15C Rome!). We are told what happens day to day but nothing is explored or analysed in any depth, we move from one fact to the next as if reading our shopping list with absolutely no discussion of events or sources. This book is essentially a list of facts- good for reference I guess, but so boring for general reading. On several occasions the sentencing is clumsy, words are repeated or missing, and names are mentioned so often it's like being clubbed over the head. Also due to the strict chronology of the book sentences are repeated: every sub-chapter is headed by the year being written about, and almost every summer the plague breaks out, to name one example. The book feels less like a discussion of history and more like notes or a timeline- it really is the bare bones of the period, with no meat on them at all.
I am very interested in the Italian Renaissance, the Borgia family and the political activity in 15-16 century Italy, so every summer I like to read a book about this period. Looks like I'll have to try something else this year!
The information in this book is quite good. The reader is taught a lot about practices within the church, the college of cardinals, the election of a new pope, political alliances within the Italian city states and improvement of the city of Rome during this time. I cannot fault Hollingsworth's knowledge of the facts.
While the information within this book is alright, the execution and discussion of the facts is very poor. The book is written in very strict chronological order, with many sentences starting on such and such a date this happened, making the reading experience rigid and dull (I never thought I'd use the word dull to describe late 15C Rome!). We are told what happens day to day but nothing is explored or analysed in any depth, we move from one fact to the next as if reading our shopping list with absolutely no discussion of events or sources. This book is essentially a list of facts- good for reference I guess, but so boring for general reading. On several occasions the sentencing is clumsy, words are repeated or missing, and names are mentioned so often it's like being clubbed over the head. Also due to the strict chronology of the book sentences are repeated: every sub-chapter is headed by the year being written about, and almost every summer the plague breaks out, to name one example. The book feels less like a discussion of history and more like notes or a timeline- it really is the bare bones of the period, with no meat on them at all.
I am very interested in the Italian Renaissance, the Borgia family and the political activity in 15-16 century Italy, so every summer I like to read a book about this period. Looks like I'll have to try something else this year!
December 20, 2018
This was literally the only book about the Borgias I could find in Birmingham Community Libraries, and actually take home with me.
I found this book really disappointing. I find the Borgias really interesting, but this book was so dull. The pace of the book felt really rushed, and quite odd. A lot of it was dedicated to the build up of Pope Alexander VI, and to the descendants of the Borgias that the average person would know, ie, Rodrigo, Cesare and Lucrezia. It tended to jump about and I found myself so confused trying to figure out who the author was talking about and what was actually happening.
Not only was the pacing completely screwy, but there were so many spelling and grammar errors. For example, Pope is often misspelt as Popo. Many sentences tended to carry on and the whole thing felt never ending.
But what I found most egregious was the fact that historical facts were wrong. For example, in the last sentence, “Mary of Modena, a descendant via the Este line, married James II in 1673; neither of them had any children.” So the entire existence of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 had any purpose behind it, and James Francis Edward was never born? Yeah, right, okay. James II and Mary of Modena had twelve pregnancies, of which two survived until adulthood.
I learnt more about the Borgias from the Horrible Histories song about them than I did from this book.
I found this book really disappointing. I find the Borgias really interesting, but this book was so dull. The pace of the book felt really rushed, and quite odd. A lot of it was dedicated to the build up of Pope Alexander VI, and to the descendants of the Borgias that the average person would know, ie, Rodrigo, Cesare and Lucrezia. It tended to jump about and I found myself so confused trying to figure out who the author was talking about and what was actually happening.
Not only was the pacing completely screwy, but there were so many spelling and grammar errors. For example, Pope is often misspelt as Popo. Many sentences tended to carry on and the whole thing felt never ending.
But what I found most egregious was the fact that historical facts were wrong. For example, in the last sentence, “Mary of Modena, a descendant via the Este line, married James II in 1673; neither of them had any children.” So the entire existence of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 had any purpose behind it, and James Francis Edward was never born? Yeah, right, okay. James II and Mary of Modena had twelve pregnancies, of which two survived until adulthood.
I learnt more about the Borgias from the Horrible Histories song about them than I did from this book.
October 1, 2017
I love what this book is trying to do - set the most (in)famous members of the Borgias in context and break down their history into a year-by-year account - but there is not quite enough meat on the bones for me.
A good work of reference although the edition I have is full of typos which was somewhat annoying. Any Jacobites out there will also be surprised to learn that Mary of Modena had no children. I think the author meant none who were successful in obtaining the English/Scottish throne.
A good work of reference although the edition I have is full of typos which was somewhat annoying. Any Jacobites out there will also be surprised to learn that Mary of Modena had no children. I think the author meant none who were successful in obtaining the English/Scottish throne.
August 17, 2021
This book is the definition of "slog." It's laid out like an outline with dates and random events - the type of book that you forget what sentence you just read and set it down only to discover you've learned absolutely nothing other than how much you hate this book.
August 8, 2014
I skimmed read the last couple of chapters.
What a disappointment!!
It was the very best attempt to give in the most factual way the history of the Borgia family. This it did but in doing so the atmosphere of the book was dull,monotone and boring.
It was devoid of all passion and the facts were often left hanging,as an add on ,and I would be left re- reading thinking why was thst put in?
I learned little about Lucrezia and could never get into the characters and how they really felt and lived.
The facts about the corruption of the church were good and it was a rigid time-line of events that were difficult to chew through. I got lost more times than not.
I can find no more time to waste in reviewing this book. The cover and the picture on it was more appealing to me than what was ultimately inside it.
What a disappointment!!
It was the very best attempt to give in the most factual way the history of the Borgia family. This it did but in doing so the atmosphere of the book was dull,monotone and boring.
It was devoid of all passion and the facts were often left hanging,as an add on ,and I would be left re- reading thinking why was thst put in?
I learned little about Lucrezia and could never get into the characters and how they really felt and lived.
The facts about the corruption of the church were good and it was a rigid time-line of events that were difficult to chew through. I got lost more times than not.
I can find no more time to waste in reviewing this book. The cover and the picture on it was more appealing to me than what was ultimately inside it.
May 13, 2019
A really dry history of the Borgia family, we don't actually meet the infamous Borgia family for several chapters. There's no real sense of how the family interacted with each other and very little on public opinion of the Borgias during their brief time in power. There are also many, many strange tangents that go nowhere, add no value contextually and are rather dull. That these are included and yet genuinely interesting stories of the Borgias are not is a very odd choice.
There are also rather a lot of typos which is a petty thing to point out but had I been more engaged with the book I might not have noticed them. It seems a shame that such a fascinating family is portrayed in such a dull way.
There are also rather a lot of typos which is a petty thing to point out but had I been more engaged with the book I might not have noticed them. It seems a shame that such a fascinating family is portrayed in such a dull way.
March 13, 2014
Finally got the chance to finish this on a snow day when the internet was down and I couldn't get in to work. Great read though it is a historical account and not a work of historical fiction. There are lots of dates and happenings that can get a bit confusing but it's not too hard to follow.
I would have loved to see more about Juan, Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia in here but it was very informative and detailed. A good read for any history buff.
I would have loved to see more about Juan, Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia in here but it was very informative and detailed. A good read for any history buff.
August 1, 2013
I love this book. I got it in hardback and it's going on my reference shelf. The pictures were stunning, the writing was engaging and interesting, and I honestly feel as though I've learned a lot. Plus it's given me a lot of inspiration for my next series.
Though I bought it at discount from Barnes & Noble, it would be worth the cover price.
Though I bought it at discount from Barnes & Noble, it would be worth the cover price.
May 3, 2023
This book goes into the history of the House Of Borgia, an Italian-Aragonese Spanish Noble family. The family was from the area of Valencia, and rose to new heights during the Italian Renaissance. (Which happens to be one of my favorite time periods to read about, simply because I love the art.) There are some very notable names within this family of notable people. Alfons was a diplomat for the King of Aragon before becoming a Cardinal, eventually being elected Pope Callixtus III. Alfons' nephew, Rodrigo also achieved Pope status, taking the name Pope Alexander VI. My favorite Borgia to read about was, clearly, Lucrezia. I had heard a lot about her from a couple of history podcasts that I listen to, as well as reading about her in brief passing several times. I was very pleased to get the opportunity to read more about her. She was the daughter of Rodrigo and his mistress from when he was still only a Cardinal. She was married off to a family to strengthen Rodrigo's power as Pope, but the marriage did not last...suspiciously. She was notorious for her conversational skills, as well as her manipulation and political interference. After her, throughout the generations, this noble family tree has offered up some brilliant artisians and even a President. Of course, as with any family, there are skeletons in some closets. It was interesting to see the backstabbing, back room deals, and the murder conspiracies within this prominent family.
My husband actually brought this book back from his last deployment, so I appreciate him for thinking of me and I always appreciate a book gift. It took me a while to get around to it, but it was well worth the wait. I learned a great deal about this family, and it was such an enjoyable read to me. I love reading about family dynasties, so this was certainly right up my alley. I think the writing was very well done and objective, as well as well researched. I am very interested to look up some of the work from the poets and painters that were in this family, since I am also a lover of art. If you are interested in nobility or family dynasties, this may be a good book for you to look into. I was very pleased with it.
My husband actually brought this book back from his last deployment, so I appreciate him for thinking of me and I always appreciate a book gift. It took me a while to get around to it, but it was well worth the wait. I learned a great deal about this family, and it was such an enjoyable read to me. I love reading about family dynasties, so this was certainly right up my alley. I think the writing was very well done and objective, as well as well researched. I am very interested to look up some of the work from the poets and painters that were in this family, since I am also a lover of art. If you are interested in nobility or family dynasties, this may be a good book for you to look into. I was very pleased with it.
March 21, 2020
Monštruózna, masívna mamutia kniha. Ťažká, široká a lesklá. Nikdy by som si nepomyslel, že sa dostanem k tejto rodine, i keď som na ňu behom času narážal - kde tu, sem tam Borgiovci. No a zrazu, tie svine lepkavé - úprimne povedané, že do prečítania som o nich vedel len to povrchné stuené mlieko na vrchu, tá blana - mi Aliska dala ako darček k... asi meniny?
Hneď ako som pocítil knihu som vedel, že to nebude len tak, jej váha mi sama o sebe hovorila: Paulinko, som tu. Napriek tomu len niektorá z mála kníh dostane to požehnanie, že si ju z ruky prečítam, nie je takých mnoho...
Až na Štefánikovej mi Borgiovci zalepili hlavu svojimi životmi. Bolo to masívne, pre mňa totálne nepredstaviteľné - pauza: navyše sa tam stretávali osoby, o ktorých som čítal v Dvořákovej, šialené, Boha tie ženské ako sa vnímajú... cele som to prežíval, vnímal v Európskom kontexte a s tým všetkým poznaním, ktoré mám; milé. Len to...
Niektoré pasáže boli fakt ako historické anály, kde sa autorka ani nepokúšala vniesť interpretáciu, len kolekcia udalostí v danom roku bez vzťahov k iným, často i absentovaným súvislostiam. I keď pri mojom rýchlo čítaní a vsávaní toho všetkého poznania, som to bol schopný vyplniť svojou interpretáciou - bolo to náročné...
Super vec, super oblasť pápežstvá, keď nechápeš, ale aj takí asi sme... sme.
Hneď ako som pocítil knihu som vedel, že to nebude len tak, jej váha mi sama o sebe hovorila: Paulinko, som tu. Napriek tomu len niektorá z mála kníh dostane to požehnanie, že si ju z ruky prečítam, nie je takých mnoho...
Až na Štefánikovej mi Borgiovci zalepili hlavu svojimi životmi. Bolo to masívne, pre mňa totálne nepredstaviteľné - pauza: navyše sa tam stretávali osoby, o ktorých som čítal v Dvořákovej, šialené, Boha tie ženské ako sa vnímajú... cele som to prežíval, vnímal v Európskom kontexte a s tým všetkým poznaním, ktoré mám; milé. Len to...
Niektoré pasáže boli fakt ako historické anály, kde sa autorka ani nepokúšala vniesť interpretáciu, len kolekcia udalostí v danom roku bez vzťahov k iným, často i absentovaným súvislostiam. I keď pri mojom rýchlo čítaní a vsávaní toho všetkého poznania, som to bol schopný vyplniť svojou interpretáciou - bolo to náročné...
Super vec, super oblasť pápežstvá, keď nechápeš, ale aj takí asi sme... sme.
June 11, 2024
I'm very conflicted about this book. the actual history is fascinating, but the completely chronological way that Hollingsworth presents it doesn't make this the most engaging read. I really enjoyed discovering how the borgias rose to power and how rodrigo became a cardinal, plus how the borgia dynasty evolved following his death. that being said, Hollingsworth doesn't attribute particular importance to anyone or anything. I accidentally missed a page whilst reading and completely missed rodrigo, the head of the borgia house's death! that's how suddenly this book moves past events. it would have been nice to have Hollingsworth explain why these events mattered a bit more, and which mattered more than others.
that being said, this is a very well researched book, so I have to give it props there! it conveys information in a comprehensive and digestible manner. good as a quick read, but I'd recommend doing a slightly deeper dive into the borgias if that's your thing.
that being said, this is a very well researched book, so I have to give it props there! it conveys information in a comprehensive and digestible manner. good as a quick read, but I'd recommend doing a slightly deeper dive into the borgias if that's your thing.
December 31, 2018
This is the weakest volunme the "Chronicles" series that i've red so far. The chronological anals format that served the other volumes well doesn't work for the Borgias. This may be becuase they are too spread out geographically and there are too many of them alive at the same time. However, there are other problems with the book. This volume makes very little attempt to discuss culture and how people lived when compared to other books in the series. It is also very repetative with historical quotes in the margins being included in the text also. Despite quoting a lot of original sources the book also fails to fully explain why the Borgias were so hated by those around them and ignores or doesn't examine the reports of attrocities leveled against the Borgias. It may mention accusations or an actual event but with very little other informaiton provided.
July 21, 2019
Found this book difficult to get into and difficult to finish. Hence why it took me almost a month. I had to convince myself to keep going. I rarely put a book back down and fail to finish it.
I thought the history of the Borgias must be interesting and lively, after all they made a tv show about it, but I struggled. The dynasty turned out to be 2 Borgia popes, the offspring of the second and then those that followed. And the ones that followed are discussed in the last 30 pages give or take. Also a couple of typos- repeated sentences and things like that. Not entirely the authors fault but still annoyed me. I didn’t really enjoy the book, but it wouldn’t put me off into further reading about the Borgias.
I thought the history of the Borgias must be interesting and lively, after all they made a tv show about it, but I struggled. The dynasty turned out to be 2 Borgia popes, the offspring of the second and then those that followed. And the ones that followed are discussed in the last 30 pages give or take. Also a couple of typos- repeated sentences and things like that. Not entirely the authors fault but still annoyed me. I didn’t really enjoy the book, but it wouldn’t put me off into further reading about the Borgias.
November 5, 2021
For the ones who have little idea on who the Borgias are, well.... they inspired Mario Puzo to write the Godfather series basing it on the Borgia family.
If you split this book into 3 parts,
1st part was very interesting with all noteworthy accomplishments called out (4.5/5)
2nd part is downright boring, like the author felt mentally tired to keep going, it was emphasizing more on chronological data and names, which made me struggle to keep reading (1.75/5)
3rd and the final part, was better than the 2nd section but did not live up like hoe the 1st part did. The fact that, the book ended on a very plane note, without flavor, a good conclusion would have fairly made up for the drag experienced in part 2 (2.78/5)
If you split this book into 3 parts,
1st part was very interesting with all noteworthy accomplishments called out (4.5/5)
2nd part is downright boring, like the author felt mentally tired to keep going, it was emphasizing more on chronological data and names, which made me struggle to keep reading (1.75/5)
3rd and the final part, was better than the 2nd section but did not live up like hoe the 1st part did. The fact that, the book ended on a very plane note, without flavor, a good conclusion would have fairly made up for the drag experienced in part 2 (2.78/5)
April 23, 2018
The corruption of the Catholic church by the Borgia and other wealthy Renaissance nobles during the Renaissance défies imagination. Popes amasses fortunes by receiving bénéfices such as jewels and réal estate from sycophants. Popes amasses estates and political power for their families by awarding holy offices to their own illegitimate children who would become high ranking clergy within the Papal cabinet. Powerful families such as the Aragon, De Medici, and Borgia whose family included legitimate and illegitimate children of popes intermarried. The counter-reformation was a sécular response against papal abuse of power for personal gain. Did the Catholic Church require celibate priests because high ranking clergy historically built their own empires by using their illegitimate children to build family empires? The abuse of papal dispensation for divorce of the rulers of city states and countries in exchange for costly bénéfices was common among the Borgias who not only turned a blind eye to pecuniary benefices, sexual debauchery , and wanton guttony in their own families but in the Papal court.
No noble family was more egregious than the Borgia of Spain. Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), the second Borgia pope, granted positions such as cardinals to family members, to assure the élection of their own popes. They awarded their illegitimate children the red hat of cardinal (Juan Borgia) or married them to the Dukes of powerful city-states (Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso Aragon). The popes had armies who waged war to increase the political power over the territory of their papal states, including Naples. Illegitamate son, Cesare Borgia, received monies from the Papal treasury from his father, the pope. Pope Alexander VI would replenish military coffers with ducats from dead cardinals who left wills intended for their own families, but which the Pope assumed for himself and his own family.
The book provides an history collection of events whereby ruling families of Northern Italy held on to power through the Roman Catholic church. The events show how the catholic popes built political power by amassing wealth by stealing, killingfrom their enemies, and through intermarriage of their legitimate and illegitimate children with the Dukes and Kings of Europe.
The history of political intrigue and abuse of power by the Borgia popes from 1414 to 1520 is the most egregious of corruption within the Renaissance church. The book cites historical writings from Johannes Burchard whose historical descriptions in Chapter Six of the débauchery of the Borgia would stupefy anyone with even the lowest threshold for amorality.
No noble family was more egregious than the Borgia of Spain. Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), the second Borgia pope, granted positions such as cardinals to family members, to assure the élection of their own popes. They awarded their illegitimate children the red hat of cardinal (Juan Borgia) or married them to the Dukes of powerful city-states (Lucrezia Borgia and Alfonso Aragon). The popes had armies who waged war to increase the political power over the territory of their papal states, including Naples. Illegitamate son, Cesare Borgia, received monies from the Papal treasury from his father, the pope. Pope Alexander VI would replenish military coffers with ducats from dead cardinals who left wills intended for their own families, but which the Pope assumed for himself and his own family.
The book provides an history collection of events whereby ruling families of Northern Italy held on to power through the Roman Catholic church. The events show how the catholic popes built political power by amassing wealth by stealing, killingfrom their enemies, and through intermarriage of their legitimate and illegitimate children with the Dukes and Kings of Europe.
The history of political intrigue and abuse of power by the Borgia popes from 1414 to 1520 is the most egregious of corruption within the Renaissance church. The book cites historical writings from Johannes Burchard whose historical descriptions in Chapter Six of the débauchery of the Borgia would stupefy anyone with even the lowest threshold for amorality.
March 29, 2021
This is clearly a very well researched book, but I found it rather uninspiring. It is a dry, factual account of the yearly events documented about the Borgias and others, but it provides nothing insightful about the family. Although it did confirm their lust for power, their greed for wealth and riches and their decadent sexual proclivities. Not that the later was fully described, only hinted at. The Catholic Church comes out of this very badly too an an institution of corruption and power building dynasties, nothing to do with teachings of Christ.
January 15, 2023
A very high-level overview of the Borgias' rise to power. The author does not attempt to make substantial judgements of character, but merely presents the facts. The book reaches a breakneck pace after the deaths of Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia in an effort to sum up the contributions of their descendants. More of a strong narrative voice from the author would have added more colour to a book that was informative, but not incredibly engaging.
September 1, 2018
Fascinating Read
Very interesting and in-depth. Learnt quite a lot. Like what we're proven facts and what was myth. I also liked the fact that it didn't mention about the incest as it was rumoured but never proven. A very good read for those who like myself find the Borgias intriguing.
Very interesting and in-depth. Learnt quite a lot. Like what we're proven facts and what was myth. I also liked the fact that it didn't mention about the incest as it was rumoured but never proven. A very good read for those who like myself find the Borgias intriguing.
May 7, 2021
Splendid illustrious book about the era and dynasty of the Borgia family.
The historical events are displayed briefly in chronological order. Sometimes I thought it was too brief. Nevertheless its a good book to have an overview about a very tumultous time when popes and familys were fighting eachother.
The historical events are displayed briefly in chronological order. Sometimes I thought it was too brief. Nevertheless its a good book to have an overview about a very tumultous time when popes and familys were fighting eachother.
October 3, 2017
Quite basic introduction to the family - not a lot of detail about the social and cultural history but a fascinating read. Reminded me a lot of my 16th Century History A Level, which I'd never previously thought was a good thing.
September 2, 2022
Awfully written - it’s like a primary school aged child was given an assignment on this topic and just set out a chronology of facts they found in other books with no connection made between the facts, or any analysis done. Made an interesting topic quite boring
October 1, 2017
Read this a while back. A good reference guide which I'll use now if I need to quickly find a date/name/event that I've forgotten about.
December 2, 2017
Those Borgias certainly got up to high jinks.
January 27, 2019
I'm DNF-ing this. I'm about halfway through and this book is quite boring. I wanted to learn more about the Borgia family, but all I can focus on are the gramatical mistakes.
November 12, 2020
A chronological account from 1414 to 1572 (and later in the epilogue), this book is full of historical events. At times it is a hard read but still fascinating nevertheless.
July 24, 2021
It's OK - particularly as an introduction to the Borgias, but it does feel quite descriptive...just a list of things that happened.
July 30, 2022
A visual journey into Renaissance history, with a side-line attraction of the Borgias.
September 18, 2022
Easy-reading, Wikipedia style history of the main players in The Borgia dynasty. By no means a great piece of scholarly work, but it isn't pretending to be.
September 27, 2023
this book is a good source of knowledge which would've greatly benefited from a bit of prose ! the poor style this is written in makes this incredible period of time way duller than it ever was ...
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