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Prince of Foxes
Set in Renaissance Italy, this classic of American popular fiction is the story of Andrea Orsini, a peasant boy who rises to perform delicate political, military and romantic missions for Cesare Borgia. When first published in mid-20th century, Orson Welles was cast as Borgia in the film version. Tyrone Power as Orsini.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1947
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2275 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Shellabarger
71 books44 followersAKA:
John Esteven
Peter Loring
Samuel Shellabarger was an American educator and author of both scholarly works and best-selling historical novels. He was born in Washington, D.C., on 18 May 1888, but his parents both died while he was a baby. Samuel was therefore raised by his grandfather, Samuel Shellabarger, a noted lawyer who had served in Congress during the American Civil War and as Minister to Portugal. Young Samuel's travels with his grandfather later proved a goldmine of background material for his novels.
Shellabarger attended private schools and in 1909 graduated from Princeton University, where he would later teach. After studying for a year at Munich University in Germany, he resumed his studies at Harvard University and Yale University. Despite taking a year off to serve in World War I, he received his doctorate in 1917. In 1915 he married Vivan Georgia Lovegrove Borg whom he had met the year before during a vacation in Sweden. They had four children, but the two boys died: one as an infant and the other serving in World War II. Shellabarger himself died of a heart attack in Princeton, New Jersey, on 21 March 1954.
Having already published some scholarly works and not wanting to undermine their credibility by publishing fiction, Shellabarger used pen names for his first mysteries and romances: "John Esteven" and then "Peter Loring." He continued to write scholarly works and to teach, but his historical novels proved so popular that he soon started using his own name on them. Some of them were best-sellers and were made into movies.
John Esteven
Peter Loring
Samuel Shellabarger was an American educator and author of both scholarly works and best-selling historical novels. He was born in Washington, D.C., on 18 May 1888, but his parents both died while he was a baby. Samuel was therefore raised by his grandfather, Samuel Shellabarger, a noted lawyer who had served in Congress during the American Civil War and as Minister to Portugal. Young Samuel's travels with his grandfather later proved a goldmine of background material for his novels.
Shellabarger attended private schools and in 1909 graduated from Princeton University, where he would later teach. After studying for a year at Munich University in Germany, he resumed his studies at Harvard University and Yale University. Despite taking a year off to serve in World War I, he received his doctorate in 1917. In 1915 he married Vivan Georgia Lovegrove Borg whom he had met the year before during a vacation in Sweden. They had four children, but the two boys died: one as an infant and the other serving in World War II. Shellabarger himself died of a heart attack in Princeton, New Jersey, on 21 March 1954.
Having already published some scholarly works and not wanting to undermine their credibility by publishing fiction, Shellabarger used pen names for his first mysteries and romances: "John Esteven" and then "Peter Loring." He continued to write scholarly works and to teach, but his historical novels proved so popular that he soon started using his own name on them. Some of them were best-sellers and were made into movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
February 25, 2012
An old-fashioned adventure story, this book features a Marty Stu who may be implausibly gifted, but is vastly entertaining to watch. Andrea Orsini can do absolutely anything--paint, sing, duel, command a military force, seduce anyone, brawl, even negotiate politics with the Borgia Pope and his conquering son.
He starts as a cynical captain/politician with an assassin sidekick who may be even more fun to watch than he is. There are faked miracles, possibly real miracles, saints, politics, romance, intrigue, sieges, attempted assasinations, and a little torture thrown in for variety. The ending is a bit hokey, yet somehow deeply satisfying. This is not a particularly cynical book--rather, it acknowledges cynicism and embraces higher virtues nonetheless. It's refreshing in an old-fashioned way.
Camilla, the love interest, is slightly grating in that she was written in 1947 and it does show. But overall, she holds her own well, even if the fact that she's intelligent and has a sense of humor is repeatedly described as "boyish". Poor Lucrezia Borgia does not do nearly as well, portrayed as a shallow dolt, and her femme fatale cousin Angela gets off nearly as poorly. But if you're willing to deal with an attitude towards women that's both dated yet slightly anachronistic, Camilla at least has some agency and wit.
While I did really enjoy this book, I need to offer one very strong warning. As mentioned, it was written several decades ago, about the Renaissance. The racism is absolutely appalling. It's not a major part of the story, thank goodness. But there's a black child slave who rolls his eyes, flashes white teeth, speaks with a dreadful accent, is handed off between characters with less consideration than one would give a horse, is dressed up and trotted around like a doll, and is threatened with spankings in an epilogue whose timeline would require him to be an adult. He's indolent, stupid, spoiled, chubby, and treated as a toy. Also, there's an unfortunate midget who gets similar treatment, although she's at least credited with an adult intelligence even if she's literally treated as a plaything. If you can skim over these bits, realizing that it's an unfortunate historical legacy that mars an otherwise entertaining story, then brace yourself and read away. But if the very thought sets your teeth on edge and it would destroy the story for you (and I would not in the slightest blame anyone who couldn't get over it), do your blood pressure a favor and skip this one.
He starts as a cynical captain/politician with an assassin sidekick who may be even more fun to watch than he is. There are faked miracles, possibly real miracles, saints, politics, romance, intrigue, sieges, attempted assasinations, and a little torture thrown in for variety. The ending is a bit hokey, yet somehow deeply satisfying. This is not a particularly cynical book--rather, it acknowledges cynicism and embraces higher virtues nonetheless. It's refreshing in an old-fashioned way.
Camilla, the love interest, is slightly grating in that she was written in 1947 and it does show. But overall, she holds her own well, even if the fact that she's intelligent and has a sense of humor is repeatedly described as "boyish". Poor Lucrezia Borgia does not do nearly as well, portrayed as a shallow dolt, and her femme fatale cousin Angela gets off nearly as poorly. But if you're willing to deal with an attitude towards women that's both dated yet slightly anachronistic, Camilla at least has some agency and wit.
While I did really enjoy this book, I need to offer one very strong warning. As mentioned, it was written several decades ago, about the Renaissance. The racism is absolutely appalling. It's not a major part of the story, thank goodness. But there's a black child slave who rolls his eyes, flashes white teeth, speaks with a dreadful accent, is handed off between characters with less consideration than one would give a horse, is dressed up and trotted around like a doll, and is threatened with spankings in an epilogue whose timeline would require him to be an adult. He's indolent, stupid, spoiled, chubby, and treated as a toy. Also, there's an unfortunate midget who gets similar treatment, although she's at least credited with an adult intelligence even if she's literally treated as a plaything. If you can skim over these bits, realizing that it's an unfortunate historical legacy that mars an otherwise entertaining story, then brace yourself and read away. But if the very thought sets your teeth on edge and it would destroy the story for you (and I would not in the slightest blame anyone who couldn't get over it), do your blood pressure a favor and skip this one.
January 8, 2017
Mio Dio! What a book! My heart is so full right now, I can't stop smiling. It feels like quite some time since I've felt compelled to write a review, but I simply must talk about Prince of Foxes.
This was sublimely entertaining. From start to finish. I devoured it, page after page. My fingers have been glued to the cover. (Honestly, I nearly gave myself eye-strain over this one. It was that bad.) The pace is wonderful, the writing is just so exquiste that I had to caress the pages. And it has, as I said, left me with an inner warmth I am going to relish for as long as possible.
This was a Goodreads recommendation for me, and proved to be exactly what I needed. I think I've fallen a little into my own trap. Too many dreary stories, too many broken or doomed characters. I desperately needed some uplifting. And the exhilarating exploits of Andrea Orsini and (my darling son) Mario Belli have been the perfect balm.
Andrea, the crafty Prince of Foxes, seems at first very one dimensional. His talents are limitless. Master of art, stategic mastermind, master of dance, you name it, this man has perfected it. But while in most cases, this might make him a bore, he is impossibly loveable. I found his downfall, his self-reflection and loyalty very endearing. I tried not to like him! But the cunning fox wins again it seems. But my favourite, by far, is the wonderful devilish assassin Belli. Every scene he was in made my facial muscles ache from smiling.
Gosh but there are so many fantastic characters in this story! I don't know where to begin. The silky, cold, terrifying charm of Cesare Borgia! I confess I was eagerly anticipating his entrance. (I have a thing for historical bad boys...) He is gorgeously written. And the female characters were a real pleasent surprise too. Madonna Milla is sharp, she is strong and touchingly mischievous. While she does fall somewhat into that time old damsel in distress trope, I found her pleasently complex enough to hold my interest. But most of all, I REALLY liked Angela Borgia, she was full of wonderful menance and cunning. Watching Andrea try to untangle himself from both Angela and Cesare's intriciately spun webs was enormously good fun.
Drawbacks? Weak points? Yes, there are some. Seraph, the young blackamoor servant made me feel very uncomfortable. I found myself wishing I could edit out those sections as they really hampered my enjoyment of what is otherwise a fantastic story. Having been spoilt with such an array of detailed, lovingly composed characters, I was left wishing that Seraph could have been treated in kind.
Overall, my first swashbuckler has won a solid place in my heart. Curiosity sparked, I am off to read up on those scheming Borgias...
This was sublimely entertaining. From start to finish. I devoured it, page after page. My fingers have been glued to the cover. (Honestly, I nearly gave myself eye-strain over this one. It was that bad.) The pace is wonderful, the writing is just so exquiste that I had to caress the pages. And it has, as I said, left me with an inner warmth I am going to relish for as long as possible.
This was a Goodreads recommendation for me, and proved to be exactly what I needed. I think I've fallen a little into my own trap. Too many dreary stories, too many broken or doomed characters. I desperately needed some uplifting. And the exhilarating exploits of Andrea Orsini and (my darling son) Mario Belli have been the perfect balm.
Andrea, the crafty Prince of Foxes, seems at first very one dimensional. His talents are limitless. Master of art, stategic mastermind, master of dance, you name it, this man has perfected it. But while in most cases, this might make him a bore, he is impossibly loveable. I found his downfall, his self-reflection and loyalty very endearing. I tried not to like him! But the cunning fox wins again it seems. But my favourite, by far, is the wonderful devilish assassin Belli. Every scene he was in made my facial muscles ache from smiling.
Gosh but there are so many fantastic characters in this story! I don't know where to begin. The silky, cold, terrifying charm of Cesare Borgia! I confess I was eagerly anticipating his entrance. (I have a thing for historical bad boys...) He is gorgeously written. And the female characters were a real pleasent surprise too. Madonna Milla is sharp, she is strong and touchingly mischievous. While she does fall somewhat into that time old damsel in distress trope, I found her pleasently complex enough to hold my interest. But most of all, I REALLY liked Angela Borgia, she was full of wonderful menance and cunning. Watching Andrea try to untangle himself from both Angela and Cesare's intriciately spun webs was enormously good fun.
Drawbacks? Weak points? Yes, there are some. Seraph, the young blackamoor servant made me feel very uncomfortable. I found myself wishing I could edit out those sections as they really hampered my enjoyment of what is otherwise a fantastic story. Having been spoilt with such an array of detailed, lovingly composed characters, I was left wishing that Seraph could have been treated in kind.
Overall, my first swashbuckler has won a solid place in my heart. Curiosity sparked, I am off to read up on those scheming Borgias...
January 5, 2019
This book reeks of Renaissance Italy. After reading this, it's like I can taste the corruption and the slouchy hats and the extremely puffy sleeves and the dumb way they painted everybody from the Bible wearing modern clothing for some reason.
Given that Prince of Foxes has such a title and was recommended to me because I like Zorro, I was expecting some swashbuckling and mistaken identity shenanigans. While there certainly are mistaken identity shenanigans, they are not that kind, and this book reviles swashbuckling as a foolish, impractical, self-indulgent French practice. Instead, our main character practices the classic Italian combat sport of the time: Extreme Lying.
Orsini, our mostly-un-heroic hero, is a would-be Machiavelli, scheming and lying his way up the ranks of Cesare Borgia's war machine. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way he trips and falls into the realization that some things are more important than gaining ultimate power, and decides to apply his skill at intrigue to a good cause. There are:
The first half of this book deserved maybe three stars. It was a lot of Orsini wandering about the Italian countryside doing side quests, and didn't have much real suspense or heart. Orsini is a soldier, statesman, artisan, spy, etc., but it really seems like his pet assassin Mario Belli is the real MVP of the story. I'm pretty sure Orsini would have died at least five times and all his ambitions would have been so much forgotten dust if it weren't for Belli.
After they get done in Rome, though, everything cascades to a point where the intensity snuck up and surprised me. The moment where the villagers of Citta-del-Monte have to decide whether to surrender to Borgia or fight an unwinnable siege was an unexpected emotional crescendo. The siege itself was hype, and the aftermath was suitably dramatic and indirect. I went up to four stars because of how engrossed I was in the last act and the satisfying ending.
Given that Prince of Foxes has such a title and was recommended to me because I like Zorro, I was expecting some swashbuckling and mistaken identity shenanigans. While there certainly are mistaken identity shenanigans, they are not that kind, and this book reviles swashbuckling as a foolish, impractical, self-indulgent French practice. Instead, our main character practices the classic Italian combat sport of the time: Extreme Lying.
Orsini, our mostly-un-heroic hero, is a would-be Machiavelli, scheming and lying his way up the ranks of Cesare Borgia's war machine. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way he trips and falls into the realization that some things are more important than gaining ultimate power, and decides to apply his skill at intrigue to a good cause. There are:
• Copious amounts of plots within plots and plenty of buried secrets.
• People going about in masks for seemingly no reason because they are always 100% ineffective
• A dramatic and intense siege
• At least three attempted murders
• A somewhat weird but redemptive love story
• More corrupt clergymen than you could shake a stick at
• Quite a few evil Borgias and one dumb Borgia
• Miraculous revelations from God
• A dwarf and a Black boy who are both seemingly slaves (???) and also written about in language that is extremely uncomfortable given that this book was written in 1947 and NOT 1747
The first half of this book deserved maybe three stars. It was a lot of Orsini wandering about the Italian countryside doing side quests, and didn't have much real suspense or heart. Orsini is a soldier, statesman, artisan, spy, etc., but it really seems like his pet assassin Mario Belli is the real MVP of the story. I'm pretty sure Orsini would have died at least five times and all his ambitions would have been so much forgotten dust if it weren't for Belli.
After they get done in Rome, though, everything cascades to a point where the intensity snuck up and surprised me. The moment where the villagers of Citta-del-Monte have to decide whether to surrender to Borgia or fight an unwinnable siege was an unexpected emotional crescendo. The siege itself was hype, and the aftermath was suitably dramatic and indirect. I went up to four stars because of how engrossed I was in the last act and the satisfying ending.
September 21, 2023
Ladies and gentlemen taking advantage of the fact that the gameplay of my friend @turbiales of Baldur's Gates III has finished (he invited you to see it). I do not rule out writing a review of it, even if it is not a book. Now that I believe, that more free time will be used to read, and write reviews of my summer readings. I take this opportunity to apologize to my followers since, it is very possible that this review took time to be posted in @goodreads because the books of the Department of History of Medicine, or Science, are being inventoried, and it will take me a long time.
I have a lot of reviews already prepared for this task. This book also has history I bought it at Rereads a second-hand bookstore for very little money. Surely it will not be appreciated by my followers, but the book was very deteriorated, but I do not care, because all I wanted was to read it at least once. Since this novel was recommended to me by my friend the writer Julie Davis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and it is one of her favorite books. I must warn people, that I write harsh reviews of this book does not mean that I did not like it. I say this, because in a letter my friend Professor Manuel Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... told me that with these comments he had written about the book my opinion was going to be very negative, and it is not true. If I put a book (3/5) (you can already advance the note). It means that I liked it, but that it has room for improvement. There are a few things that prevent this book from being one of the best I've read as Goodreads users will see from the comments that are going to be posted.
I met (or had news) of Samuel Shellabarger from the film "The Captain of Castile" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... (it is interesting to compare this work with "The God of Rain cries over Mexico" by the Hungarian Laszlo Passuth https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...) (I also read the novel. Although in @goodreads it has (4/5) the right grade would be a (3'5/5)). Perhaps in my somewhat critical vision of Shellabarger has influenced a book that is highly recommended "The Tree of Hate" by Philip W. Powell (American Hispanic ambassador) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... he wrote a book against the anti-Spanish Black Legend, and comparing the hostile vision that Spain suffers with the one that in his time suffered (and suffers the United States). Seeing the rise of wokismo, time seems to have proved Philip W Powell right. Since some American friends of mine are very concerned about this ideological current, and we see that this left-wing current (which my friends would call liberal) attacks both the Spanish and American heritage, questioning, and anathematizing what made their country great. In this "The Tree of Hate" was a prophetic book. Then you can decide if the United States has behaved well with Spain, or not, but today both Hispanists and American patriots have the same enemy globalism paid for by a group of neo-Malthusian millionaires who combine the worst of the two worlds capitalism, and social-communism propagated by the Frankfurt School to the American intelligentsia hiding behind environmentalism. gender ideology, and seeking not miscegenation but, the confrontation between ethnic groups. That is why this ideological current must be fought. In addition, for his attacks on Christianity. The sad thing is that it is elites who control this, and they have imposed it, but I repeat it again this ideology is not invincible, and it is up to us to defeat it.
That said, and returning to the book that concerns us Philip Wayne Powell was very critical of Samuel Shellabarger, because according to him he was on a list of writers who fell into the Hispanic Black Legend along with Alexandre Dumas https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Rafael Sabatini https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... and, others. In denigrating the Spanish past. Although Dumas seems to me much better writer than this Samuel Shellabarger. In his novel "The Captain of Castile" although in the film version it was eliminated (courtesy attributable to the Hays code) Samuel Shellabarger did not hesitate to put an inquisitor in the novel De Lora, although in Hispanic America there was no inquisitor, and there was only one inquisitorial process against an Indian named Juan Damasceno (in Latin America there was Inquisition, But it did not affect the pre-Columbians, but the Hispanics, and Creoles, since the pre-Columbians depended on the bishops). The trial of Juan Damasceno (which had hairs and signals another Hispanicophobic named Gary Jenings https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... that years ago was very fashionable for his novels about Marco Polo https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7..., and Teodorico https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... I had to suffer in the sequel to the novel I'm going to talk about "Otoño Azteca". The novel that told the story of Juan Damasceno was called "El Azteca" https://www.goodreads.com/series/4946..., and this is the only inquisitorial thing that affected the Indians.
If they go to the Archives. Among them the Indies in Seville, or the National Historical Archive. You will not find more than what I am telling you. "The Captain of Castile" was a swashbuckling novel in the vein of "The Blonde God" by Lew Wallace https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.... You can see the long shadow of William H. Prescott https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... the typical Hispanic-phobe who gives them as an indigenist, talking about the cruelty of the Spaniards with the pre-Columbians but then keeps quiet when his country finished with the vast majority of tribes says nothing. It is curious that they talk about the greed, and the cruelty of the Spaniards, as if the other countries had been an NGO. You only have to see the testament of Isabella the Catholic, or the laws of Burgos, Salamanca, Valladolid to see how we treat the Hispanic American peoples. This is convenient to say because there are many who believe all this Black Legend, even, and I am ashamed among Catholics, and in the Catholic Church itself. That is why it is necessary to defend the truth, and tell the story as it really was, and not as the propagandists told us. I recommend you read Roca Barea https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Marcelo Gullo https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., and watch the videos of @deciamosayer Ayer, @patriciolons, @misionxhispana and other content creators. It is curious that ambiguous vision of Cortés https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (this will be talked about when the review of Mary Renault's "Persian Boy" is written, comparing Hernán Cortés with Alexander the Great https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... ) that Shellabarger performs that I do not see with other more dubious historical characters such as Ieyasu Tokugawa (in "Shogun" by James Clavell, not even with his real name https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... taking enormous historical licenses), Genghis Kahn (he murdered millions of people in his conquests, and does not have a Black Legend), or Mary Renault with Alexander the Great since we talk about the "Persian boy." For the rest it is a book "The Captain of Castile", which we ignore what has been told reads well, especially the final part in Castile. Shellabarger is a Sabatini, or an Alexandre Dumas B (Shellabarger would have liked to write "The Page of the Duke of Savoy" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... at least there Dumas was fair, and told the truth about his country and Francis I).
The problem of the "Prince of Foxes" general idea, or Thesis of the novel is very good. It is the story of a careerist, of an apprentice politician who has soaked up the writings of the Renaissance, and of Humanism (in the good in culture, and the arts, in fact, flirts with painting as seen with the Padovan painter), and globalization, neo-paganism, anticlericalism, corruption of customs, and a nationalism. which falls into a kind of xenophobia. The Black Legend was not started by William of Orange, Luther, or the French, but was born of the Italian humanists. See the work of Severker Arnoldsson https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... , or Philip Wayne Powell himself. The first to achieve a centralized Italy as were the Hispanic crown, England, France, or Portugal (despite the efforts of Maximilian of Habsburg, and the Jagiellons The Holy Roman Empire, and Poland despite the Union of Lublin did not succeed). Italy is no worse country for that. One of the foundations of the Black Legend is the Borgia, whose Black Legend began with the frustration of the Italians to see that it was a Valencian family who ruled their destinies (you should see the opinion that humanists had of Valencian women, and Catalans. I who fell in love with a I give faith that they are good women, and virtuous, and if someone offends them will have to do with a server. At that time to denigrate a Spaniard he was called Catalan with enormous contempt. This Goodreads users should keep in mind when understanding the reason for this rating). Nepotism, simony, moral degradation, and murders are there, and the Borgias must be condemned (on this subject they are recommended a book called "The Bad Popes" by E.R. Chamberlin https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...), but as Shellabarger admits if anyone came close to achieving that chimerical Italian unification it was the Borgia. Among them the ineffable Cesare Borgia of this novel (Taine also speaks of this in his "Theory of Art" in two volumes https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ). The arts flourished, the Pinturichio, and despite the corruption was very well governed, and devotion to the Virgin Mary was sincere. Alexander VI is reproached for almost not appearing in this novel (in the film he and his daughter Lucrezia were dispensed with by the Hays Code. Although the Church remained neutral on this question) the murder of Savanorala, but being sincere who wanted to get rid of it were the Florentines themselves. I am going to say something very politically incorrect I prefer an unscrupulous murderer like Cesare Borgia, or Alexander VI who kill bodies, even if they move to scandal, than people who destroy souls, like Martin Luther https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (as Thomas Muntzer said "Luther deceiver, you say amen" to everything) the mascot of the German Princes, and a textbook statist), or John Calvin https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... It is better to lose the body, than the soul, and without making an apology for the Borgias I will say one thing that if Alexander VI had been alive, or his son Luther does not make his Reformation, because they would have killed him before, and at the risk of being cruel I will say that the world would have done well this solution.
I warn if anyone studies the history of Italy that the Mediccis were no better than the Borgia. I want to say one thing that I speak ill of Luther, and of Calvin does not mean that I reject the faith, and the religiosity of his followers, because there are non-Catholic Christians, who are very good people. I actually read Protestant writers, and I really like them when they don't attack the Catholic Church. Above all, fantasy-themed novels, which Catholic authors should imitate. What he condemned is the break with Holy Mother Church, and the anti-Catholicism of the so-called Reformers, who all they did was become heads of their (national) Churches at the service of the States of different countries (to this list could be added Henry VIII https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , although I note that Louis XIV was https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... tempted to do the same as Henry VIII). Andrea Orsini (who has nothing to do with the family of the same name, which appeared in "Bomarzo" by Mújica Laínez https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... ) mixes the good, and the bad of the Renaissance is an artist, but wants to stand out in the field of politics. This is a totally Augustinian novel https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... in which they fight the earthly vision, and the spiritual, but what this novel is about is the salvation of the soul of Orsini (which is not really called that) that's why I said he was a careerist, and his servant the Savoyard Mario Belli, who if I fit is a more interesting character than Andrea Orsini, and its even more spectacular ending. A film adaptation was made as my followers will have noticed (on Instagram), since, I posted photos of this book by Tyrone Power, Wanda Hendrix (thanks to those who tried to participate in knowing what these photos were @elenaartidiello @martalujanescritora https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ) this film as the wonderful "Black Rose" brought together Tyrone Power, and Orson Welles, who coincided in that masterpiece that I like so much "Black Rose" that adapted the novel by Thomas B. Costain https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... (I recommend watching that film by Henry Hathaway, and the wonderful "The Silver chalice" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... more interesting than the novel by Thomas B. Costain) what changes with respect to the films cited is the director in this case Henry King. The film only adapts the third part obvious the diplomatic effort of Andrea Orsini to get the marriage of Lucrezia Borgia (incidentally Shellabarger does not make the mistake of turning her into the monster that Victor Hugo turns her into https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... , but does not fall into the sympathy of Mario Puzo "The Family" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... , nor do Gnevieve Chauvel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..., nor Jeanne Kalogridis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . In my opinion the extremes of denigration should be avoided, and the opposite is to defend the indefensible) with Alfonso I East (something he achieved) Hercules Este, and Cardinal Hippolytus (one of the villains) are very well characterized. Until the appearance of Caesar the villain is Cardinal Hippolytus d'Este (see his relationship with Hungary) this man imprisoned his half-brother (Giulio was alive to tell the tale), and his brother Ferdinand who died a violent death. He had a strong passion for Angela Borgia the femme fatale of this novel and the rival of the protagonist Camila Baglione is very interesting his links with Hungary and how he ceded the primacy to be bishop of Eger to Thomas Bakocz. The second part with Lucia of Narnia (Santa inspired the Lucy of Chronicles of Narnia https://www.goodreads.com/series/4907... ) is also fine. César Borgia, who appears in the intrigues of Citta del Monte, did not seem very credible to me. He was much better characterized in "Then Now" by W. Somerset Maugham https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (unlike Shellabarger, despite his agnosticism Somerset Maugham, if he was a great lover of Spain, El Greco being one of his favorite painters. Hopefully one day I can write the review of the "Razor's edge" promised to Don Enrique Casany, and one of my favorite novels "The painted veil"
I have a lot of reviews already prepared for this task. This book also has history I bought it at Rereads a second-hand bookstore for very little money. Surely it will not be appreciated by my followers, but the book was very deteriorated, but I do not care, because all I wanted was to read it at least once. Since this novel was recommended to me by my friend the writer Julie Davis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., and it is one of her favorite books. I must warn people, that I write harsh reviews of this book does not mean that I did not like it. I say this, because in a letter my friend Professor Manuel Alfonseca https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... told me that with these comments he had written about the book my opinion was going to be very negative, and it is not true. If I put a book (3/5) (you can already advance the note). It means that I liked it, but that it has room for improvement. There are a few things that prevent this book from being one of the best I've read as Goodreads users will see from the comments that are going to be posted.
I met (or had news) of Samuel Shellabarger from the film "The Captain of Castile" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... (it is interesting to compare this work with "The God of Rain cries over Mexico" by the Hungarian Laszlo Passuth https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...) (I also read the novel. Although in @goodreads it has (4/5) the right grade would be a (3'5/5)). Perhaps in my somewhat critical vision of Shellabarger has influenced a book that is highly recommended "The Tree of Hate" by Philip W. Powell (American Hispanic ambassador) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... he wrote a book against the anti-Spanish Black Legend, and comparing the hostile vision that Spain suffers with the one that in his time suffered (and suffers the United States). Seeing the rise of wokismo, time seems to have proved Philip W Powell right. Since some American friends of mine are very concerned about this ideological current, and we see that this left-wing current (which my friends would call liberal) attacks both the Spanish and American heritage, questioning, and anathematizing what made their country great. In this "The Tree of Hate" was a prophetic book. Then you can decide if the United States has behaved well with Spain, or not, but today both Hispanists and American patriots have the same enemy globalism paid for by a group of neo-Malthusian millionaires who combine the worst of the two worlds capitalism, and social-communism propagated by the Frankfurt School to the American intelligentsia hiding behind environmentalism. gender ideology, and seeking not miscegenation but, the confrontation between ethnic groups. That is why this ideological current must be fought. In addition, for his attacks on Christianity. The sad thing is that it is elites who control this, and they have imposed it, but I repeat it again this ideology is not invincible, and it is up to us to defeat it.
That said, and returning to the book that concerns us Philip Wayne Powell was very critical of Samuel Shellabarger, because according to him he was on a list of writers who fell into the Hispanic Black Legend along with Alexandre Dumas https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Rafael Sabatini https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... and, others. In denigrating the Spanish past. Although Dumas seems to me much better writer than this Samuel Shellabarger. In his novel "The Captain of Castile" although in the film version it was eliminated (courtesy attributable to the Hays code) Samuel Shellabarger did not hesitate to put an inquisitor in the novel De Lora, although in Hispanic America there was no inquisitor, and there was only one inquisitorial process against an Indian named Juan Damasceno (in Latin America there was Inquisition, But it did not affect the pre-Columbians, but the Hispanics, and Creoles, since the pre-Columbians depended on the bishops). The trial of Juan Damasceno (which had hairs and signals another Hispanicophobic named Gary Jenings https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... that years ago was very fashionable for his novels about Marco Polo https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7..., and Teodorico https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... I had to suffer in the sequel to the novel I'm going to talk about "Otoño Azteca". The novel that told the story of Juan Damasceno was called "El Azteca" https://www.goodreads.com/series/4946..., and this is the only inquisitorial thing that affected the Indians.
If they go to the Archives. Among them the Indies in Seville, or the National Historical Archive. You will not find more than what I am telling you. "The Captain of Castile" was a swashbuckling novel in the vein of "The Blonde God" by Lew Wallace https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2.... You can see the long shadow of William H. Prescott https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... the typical Hispanic-phobe who gives them as an indigenist, talking about the cruelty of the Spaniards with the pre-Columbians but then keeps quiet when his country finished with the vast majority of tribes says nothing. It is curious that they talk about the greed, and the cruelty of the Spaniards, as if the other countries had been an NGO. You only have to see the testament of Isabella the Catholic, or the laws of Burgos, Salamanca, Valladolid to see how we treat the Hispanic American peoples. This is convenient to say because there are many who believe all this Black Legend, even, and I am ashamed among Catholics, and in the Catholic Church itself. That is why it is necessary to defend the truth, and tell the story as it really was, and not as the propagandists told us. I recommend you read Roca Barea https://www.goodreads.com/author/show..., Marcelo Gullo https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5..., and watch the videos of @deciamosayer Ayer, @patriciolons, @misionxhispana and other content creators. It is curious that ambiguous vision of Cortés https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (this will be talked about when the review of Mary Renault's "Persian Boy" is written, comparing Hernán Cortés with Alexander the Great https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... ) that Shellabarger performs that I do not see with other more dubious historical characters such as Ieyasu Tokugawa (in "Shogun" by James Clavell, not even with his real name https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5... taking enormous historical licenses), Genghis Kahn (he murdered millions of people in his conquests, and does not have a Black Legend), or Mary Renault with Alexander the Great since we talk about the "Persian boy." For the rest it is a book "The Captain of Castile", which we ignore what has been told reads well, especially the final part in Castile. Shellabarger is a Sabatini, or an Alexandre Dumas B (Shellabarger would have liked to write "The Page of the Duke of Savoy" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... at least there Dumas was fair, and told the truth about his country and Francis I).
The problem of the "Prince of Foxes" general idea, or Thesis of the novel is very good. It is the story of a careerist, of an apprentice politician who has soaked up the writings of the Renaissance, and of Humanism (in the good in culture, and the arts, in fact, flirts with painting as seen with the Padovan painter), and globalization, neo-paganism, anticlericalism, corruption of customs, and a nationalism. which falls into a kind of xenophobia. The Black Legend was not started by William of Orange, Luther, or the French, but was born of the Italian humanists. See the work of Severker Arnoldsson https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... , or Philip Wayne Powell himself. The first to achieve a centralized Italy as were the Hispanic crown, England, France, or Portugal (despite the efforts of Maximilian of Habsburg, and the Jagiellons The Holy Roman Empire, and Poland despite the Union of Lublin did not succeed). Italy is no worse country for that. One of the foundations of the Black Legend is the Borgia, whose Black Legend began with the frustration of the Italians to see that it was a Valencian family who ruled their destinies (you should see the opinion that humanists had of Valencian women, and Catalans. I who fell in love with a I give faith that they are good women, and virtuous, and if someone offends them will have to do with a server. At that time to denigrate a Spaniard he was called Catalan with enormous contempt. This Goodreads users should keep in mind when understanding the reason for this rating). Nepotism, simony, moral degradation, and murders are there, and the Borgias must be condemned (on this subject they are recommended a book called "The Bad Popes" by E.R. Chamberlin https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...), but as Shellabarger admits if anyone came close to achieving that chimerical Italian unification it was the Borgia. Among them the ineffable Cesare Borgia of this novel (Taine also speaks of this in his "Theory of Art" in two volumes https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ). The arts flourished, the Pinturichio, and despite the corruption was very well governed, and devotion to the Virgin Mary was sincere. Alexander VI is reproached for almost not appearing in this novel (in the film he and his daughter Lucrezia were dispensed with by the Hays Code. Although the Church remained neutral on this question) the murder of Savanorala, but being sincere who wanted to get rid of it were the Florentines themselves. I am going to say something very politically incorrect I prefer an unscrupulous murderer like Cesare Borgia, or Alexander VI who kill bodies, even if they move to scandal, than people who destroy souls, like Martin Luther https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (as Thomas Muntzer said "Luther deceiver, you say amen" to everything) the mascot of the German Princes, and a textbook statist), or John Calvin https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... It is better to lose the body, than the soul, and without making an apology for the Borgias I will say one thing that if Alexander VI had been alive, or his son Luther does not make his Reformation, because they would have killed him before, and at the risk of being cruel I will say that the world would have done well this solution.
I warn if anyone studies the history of Italy that the Mediccis were no better than the Borgia. I want to say one thing that I speak ill of Luther, and of Calvin does not mean that I reject the faith, and the religiosity of his followers, because there are non-Catholic Christians, who are very good people. I actually read Protestant writers, and I really like them when they don't attack the Catholic Church. Above all, fantasy-themed novels, which Catholic authors should imitate. What he condemned is the break with Holy Mother Church, and the anti-Catholicism of the so-called Reformers, who all they did was become heads of their (national) Churches at the service of the States of different countries (to this list could be added Henry VIII https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... , although I note that Louis XIV was https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... tempted to do the same as Henry VIII). Andrea Orsini (who has nothing to do with the family of the same name, which appeared in "Bomarzo" by Mújica Laínez https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6... ) mixes the good, and the bad of the Renaissance is an artist, but wants to stand out in the field of politics. This is a totally Augustinian novel https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... in which they fight the earthly vision, and the spiritual, but what this novel is about is the salvation of the soul of Orsini (which is not really called that) that's why I said he was a careerist, and his servant the Savoyard Mario Belli, who if I fit is a more interesting character than Andrea Orsini, and its even more spectacular ending. A film adaptation was made as my followers will have noticed (on Instagram), since, I posted photos of this book by Tyrone Power, Wanda Hendrix (thanks to those who tried to participate in knowing what these photos were @elenaartidiello @martalujanescritora https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... ) this film as the wonderful "Black Rose" brought together Tyrone Power, and Orson Welles, who coincided in that masterpiece that I like so much "Black Rose" that adapted the novel by Thomas B. Costain https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4... (I recommend watching that film by Henry Hathaway, and the wonderful "The Silver chalice" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... more interesting than the novel by Thomas B. Costain) what changes with respect to the films cited is the director in this case Henry King. The film only adapts the third part obvious the diplomatic effort of Andrea Orsini to get the marriage of Lucrezia Borgia (incidentally Shellabarger does not make the mistake of turning her into the monster that Victor Hugo turns her into https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... , but does not fall into the sympathy of Mario Puzo "The Family" https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... , nor do Gnevieve Chauvel https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..., nor Jeanne Kalogridis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... . In my opinion the extremes of denigration should be avoided, and the opposite is to defend the indefensible) with Alfonso I East (something he achieved) Hercules Este, and Cardinal Hippolytus (one of the villains) are very well characterized. Until the appearance of Caesar the villain is Cardinal Hippolytus d'Este (see his relationship with Hungary) this man imprisoned his half-brother (Giulio was alive to tell the tale), and his brother Ferdinand who died a violent death. He had a strong passion for Angela Borgia the femme fatale of this novel and the rival of the protagonist Camila Baglione is very interesting his links with Hungary and how he ceded the primacy to be bishop of Eger to Thomas Bakocz. The second part with Lucia of Narnia (Santa inspired the Lucy of Chronicles of Narnia https://www.goodreads.com/series/4907... ) is also fine. César Borgia, who appears in the intrigues of Citta del Monte, did not seem very credible to me. He was much better characterized in "Then Now" by W. Somerset Maugham https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... (unlike Shellabarger, despite his agnosticism Somerset Maugham, if he was a great lover of Spain, El Greco being one of his favorite painters. Hopefully one day I can write the review of the "Razor's edge" promised to Don Enrique Casany, and one of my favorite novels "The painted veil"
May 21, 2008
Epic is a great word to describe this piece of literature. It sort of reminded me of The Three Musketeers, only less bravado and sword play, with more mind games and politics.
Watching the development of the main character was never boring, and the plot had so many little (and sudden) twists and details that I was constantly entertained. The characters were well developed, as were their motives and corresponding actions.
I will warn that this is one of the stories that might bore some readers, so if reading through the council of Elrond in the Fellowship of the Ring bored you to tears, Prince of Foxes probably isn't the best book for you. Sure there is action and adventure, but the beauty of it lies the the subtle and more silent 'affairs' and those are certainly talked over plenty.
I feel richer for reading this book, and look forward to reading it again some years down the road if leisure permits.
Watching the development of the main character was never boring, and the plot had so many little (and sudden) twists and details that I was constantly entertained. The characters were well developed, as were their motives and corresponding actions.
I will warn that this is one of the stories that might bore some readers, so if reading through the council of Elrond in the Fellowship of the Ring bored you to tears, Prince of Foxes probably isn't the best book for you. Sure there is action and adventure, but the beauty of it lies the the subtle and more silent 'affairs' and those are certainly talked over plenty.
I feel richer for reading this book, and look forward to reading it again some years down the road if leisure permits.
February 4, 2025
A MUST READ. Samuel Shellabarger is highly underappreciated. This book and Captain of Castille are both masterpieces. His historical references are spot on. You feel the time period, some critics say he over describes things such as clothing or architecture. That's part of his brilliance, you just know he researched heavily a book about the 1700s that he wrote in the 1950s. I have read all his novels all brilliant. The movie adaptations of this book and Captain of Castille are both extraordinary. I love books with a heavy historical background especially when well written. I rarely give 5 stars. This book is a 5 star read, just take your time and enjoy with a hot cup of cocoa on a Winter's night. I have his book Lord Vanity 4 stars. Another excellent read, just wanted to show I rarely give 5 star reviews. A very underappreciated writer...🙏
Read
February 1, 2021DNF
Няма да давам оценка, оставям я на 11%. Сюжетът има всички предпоставки да е увлекателно приключение. Ренесансова Италия, Рим, Венеция и Ферара, интриги между принцовете, управляващи малките си държавици. Наемни убийци, красиви дами, и непогрешим главен герой с всевъзможни умения - рисуване, оръжия, дипломация... Но писането е много помпозно, направо надуто, на всичкото отгоре претъпкано с италиански фрази за “автентичност”. Не знам защо се води такава класика в приключенския жанр. По-нататък може да му дам пак шанс.
Няма да давам оценка, оставям я на 11%. Сюжетът има всички предпоставки да е увлекателно приключение. Ренесансова Италия, Рим, Венеция и Ферара, интриги между принцовете, управляващи малките си държавици. Наемни убийци, красиви дами, и непогрешим главен герой с всевъзможни умения - рисуване, оръжия, дипломация... Но писането е много помпозно, направо надуто, на всичкото отгоре претъпкано с италиански фрази за “автентичност”. Не знам защо се води такава класика в приключенския жанр. По-нататък може да му дам пак шанс.
October 3, 2015
Style is antiquatedly ornate and laced with Italian phrases. Unless you like 85 word sentences describing the dinner table. A neutral three stars for a tossed aside book.
June 22, 2016
This is an amazing book! Definitely one of my all-time favourites, and there wasn't even any magic in it (!). So this is a historical fiction that follows the charming Andrea Orsini in 16th century Italy during the time of Cesare Borgias. Andrea really made the story shine: the other characters (notably Mario Belli and Camilla Baglione) were great too, but Andrea was the real mind behind everything. Yes, Orsini could be quite the flatterer with his mellifluous words, but he's an actor (not as a profession, but he does it naturally) and is at the same time very honest (despite a few notable exceptions...). His transformation throughout the book was the highlight for me: it seemed so natural, but at the same time, I couldn't have foreseen how it would turn out (I won't spoil it though). Orsini and Belli also make quite the team, and it was captivating how we were always left wondering whose side Belli was really on, or if he was on no side but just went with whatever suited him best.
The descriptions throughout the book were excellent, and I got a good sense of the time period and the people (some historical, like the Borgias's) within it. And even though the main characters are those with high political power, we still get a sense of the life common people lived in this time, indeed, even though we don't see it first hand, we get a good sense of the transition Andrea made from peasant to high-ranking soldier/lieutenant who manages to best even Cesare Borgias. And this is one of the things that makes him so clever: he never underestimates anyone, and uses all means possible in his plots.
One of the main themes of the book focuses on what matters and what we should strive to do in our lives. Also, if we know what we want, what we are prepared to do for it: would we kill others, would we lie, would we live a life in which we have to pretend to be someone we're not? We first see these ideas with Andrea's mother near the beginning of the book, but it returns again and again, and there is a foil with Andrea and Cesare: both highly ambitious, but Andrea slowly deviates from Cesare's ideals due to his own morals (and love for Camilla, of course) whereas Cesare is undaunted in his mission to rule Italy.
I'm really surprised that this book isn't better known: I had such a hard time getting a copy of it at the library, and most libraries and bookstores don't even carry it. It is a classic that should be widely-read!
The descriptions throughout the book were excellent, and I got a good sense of the time period and the people (some historical, like the Borgias's) within it. And even though the main characters are those with high political power, we still get a sense of the life common people lived in this time, indeed, even though we don't see it first hand, we get a good sense of the transition Andrea made from peasant to high-ranking soldier/lieutenant who manages to best even Cesare Borgias. And this is one of the things that makes him so clever: he never underestimates anyone, and uses all means possible in his plots.
One of the main themes of the book focuses on what matters and what we should strive to do in our lives. Also, if we know what we want, what we are prepared to do for it: would we kill others, would we lie, would we live a life in which we have to pretend to be someone we're not? We first see these ideas with Andrea's mother near the beginning of the book, but it returns again and again, and there is a foil with Andrea and Cesare: both highly ambitious, but Andrea slowly deviates from Cesare's ideals due to his own morals (and love for Camilla, of course) whereas Cesare is undaunted in his mission to rule Italy.
I'm really surprised that this book isn't better known: I had such a hard time getting a copy of it at the library, and most libraries and bookstores don't even carry it. It is a classic that should be widely-read!
November 8, 2015
Oh Goodreads, you know me so well. This book appeared on my Recommendations over and over again because of "Your Interest in Historical Fiction" so I finally said OK, OK, I'll read it. Stop nagging.
Italian Renaissance. Strong, inspirational, and independent-minded heroine. Courageous and dashing hero who fights on the side of right. Sidekick who appears to be a bad guy but deep down is a good guy. What could be better?
You were right, Goodreads. I loved it.
Italian Renaissance. Strong, inspirational, and independent-minded heroine. Courageous and dashing hero who fights on the side of right. Sidekick who appears to be a bad guy but deep down is a good guy. What could be better?
You were right, Goodreads. I loved it.
February 2, 2025
Andrea is a lieutenant for Cesare Borges. It is hard to be sympathetic towards him for this reason and the book doesn't provide other compelling reasons to win us over to his side in the opening chapters.
December 23, 2024
Step into the renaissance with crafty statesman Andrea Orsini as he navigates this time of extreme beauty and depravity.
Andrea Orsini begins as an agent of the infamous intriguer Cesare Borgia, but as time goes on he sees that there is perhaps more to life than cynicism and self advancement. The morale of this tale is a true highlight. The message of lust, greed, and glory paling in comparison to what is simple, humble, and good is timeless. It’s an uplifting story as it reminds the reader that no matter the time period we can all do good and move beyond the petty worldly motives that surround us.
It is noted that there are some Christian overtones, even including a Saint of the period as a side character. However, I believe the religious elements were included to capture the period rather than to influence anyone. This redemptive story can be enjoyed regardless of religion.
Even with its important themes it still remains rooted in the adventure genre. There are daring escapes, duels, sieges, and a healthy dose of romance. The plot will satisfy anyone who enjoys historical adventure, but there wasn’t anything that really sparked my excitement or made me turn the pages all night. Still, our hero favors brain to brawn, and it’s amusing to see him cleverly avoid the dangers that surround him. He definitely earns his title of “Prince of Foxes”
A tale written in the style of Sabatini and Dumas, but it doesn’t quite have their level of quality. There wasn’t anything in the plot that particularly gripped me but the beautiful messaging makes this a good read! Before I read this the only familiarity I had with the Borges is when Orson Welles name dropped them in The Third Man, so I learned quite a lot!
Andrea Orsini begins as an agent of the infamous intriguer Cesare Borgia, but as time goes on he sees that there is perhaps more to life than cynicism and self advancement. The morale of this tale is a true highlight. The message of lust, greed, and glory paling in comparison to what is simple, humble, and good is timeless. It’s an uplifting story as it reminds the reader that no matter the time period we can all do good and move beyond the petty worldly motives that surround us.
It is noted that there are some Christian overtones, even including a Saint of the period as a side character. However, I believe the religious elements were included to capture the period rather than to influence anyone. This redemptive story can be enjoyed regardless of religion.
Even with its important themes it still remains rooted in the adventure genre. There are daring escapes, duels, sieges, and a healthy dose of romance. The plot will satisfy anyone who enjoys historical adventure, but there wasn’t anything that really sparked my excitement or made me turn the pages all night. Still, our hero favors brain to brawn, and it’s amusing to see him cleverly avoid the dangers that surround him. He definitely earns his title of “Prince of Foxes”
A tale written in the style of Sabatini and Dumas, but it doesn’t quite have their level of quality. There wasn’t anything in the plot that particularly gripped me but the beautiful messaging makes this a good read! Before I read this the only familiarity I had with the Borges is when Orson Welles name dropped them in The Third Man, so I learned quite a lot!
May 7, 2019
A few weeks ago I was reading Captain from Castile by the same author, and I checked the reviews on Goodreads to see how people liked it. A couple of readers said that it was pretty good, but that another book by Shellabarger, Prince of Foxes, was their all-time favorite. Of course I had to read it, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s set in 1500's Italy, at the time of the Borgias, so there’s lots of intrigue and corruption. The main character lives under an assumed identity, pretending to be nobility, (when he’s actually the son of a peasant blacksmith) and his sidekick is a professional assassin. A beautiful young woman has been promised to the hero if he will only kill off her elderly husband, who she happens to love. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface of this complex tale. The writing is fantastic, and the suspense doesn’t let up over nearly 500 pages. I’ll definitely be reading this one again!
December 31, 2025
"I thought you were only a courtier, a maker of compliments; only a lord of ambitions and schemes and dark plans."
a pretty solid historical adventure novel that unfortunately fell victim to my non-existent attention span. the comparisons to lymond have been greatly exaggerated - it's more like vanity fair meets the borgias. the strongest element is the dynamic relationship between the double-dealing social climber protag and his triple-dealing henchman. the weakest element is the instalove romance, though the love interest is written slightly better than i would've expected from a male author in the 1940s. the prose leans more dumas than dunnett but is lush and engaging - i highlighted many a passage. however, the author loves peppering in phrases and exclamations in italian lest we forget that the characters are italians and the story takes place in italy. i found this amusing most of the time but your mileage may vary.
May 1, 2020
In the service of Cesare Borgia, Duke Valentino, Andrea Orsini becomes embroiled in all manner of political games and subterfuge as well as finding unexpected romance. Excellent historical fiction that is both well-written and wonderfully entertaining - definitely deserves its reputation as a highly enjoyable classic.
April 22, 2018
An enjoyable read, while providing a lot of "information" about Borgia-sean Italy.
I found this book on my niece's book-shelf. I don't know why I started reading it but it was probably because I read Mario Puzo's dreadful pornographic version of the Borgias (and sometimes I still struggle to forget that read it) and as I scanned the intro I thought this might prove to be an antidote.
The book was originally published in 1947 and I was reading a new edition in 2002. The Intro was by Jonathan Yardley. JY claims that the years from 1930 to 1950 were the "golden" years of American fiction, with works greatly superior to modern works. "Modern works" as defined placed John Grisham and Mary Higgins Clark on the same low pedestal. Books from the "golden age" were by authors who I have never heard of, including Samuel Shellabarger.
oh, well! or in other words, aarrghh!
First and foremost, its a fun read. Especially if you enjoy reading about how a siege might be conducted, how Cesare Borgia might have actually thought, etc.. Shellabarger also has a lot of fun making up courtly language as it might have existed in the courts of Florentine Italy. Since this is 1500s, it is a bit too late for the French style of "Courtly love" with its implications of apparently unrequited love, but that does not stop Shellabarger. The heroine is married to a man old enough to be her father but she is pure as driven snow when she and the hero finally engage in holy matrimony (or maybe a bit before that). The villains are utterly evil; the good guys begin as cynics but their hearts of gold that lurk behind a mask of physical ugliness are revealed by the end; the hero is redeemed by the love of the heroine, but his manliness is in no doubt as even the villainesses hanker for his attentions (one freely given but with the advent of the heroine, no more).
Shades of Tom Jones, be not proud!
Shellabarger also has his hero express the desire to see a unified Italy. I don't know if this has historical validity -- the Italy that was ruled from Ravenna came into existence in the fifth century A.D. and ceased to exist as a unified concept by 1000 AD.
One factoid that I did not know of :
"Zoppo is "cripple" in Italian. Blacksmiths in proto-Indo-European cultures were often crippled to prevent escape."
One anti-factoid:
Shellabarger describes the sliver of the new moon rising in the east in the evening and compares it to the golden hair of his heroine. Small problem -- the new moon sets in the west in the evening and only rises in the east in the morning.
(Oh, well! Nobody said that Shellabarger was a scientist).
I enjoyed the way Shellabarger described the conspiracies, plots, and counter-plots that the rulers engaged in. If I read this book again it will be because of two things:
a) the conspiracies
b) the description of the heroine (Camilla de Baglioni) and villainess (Angela Borgia), both fictional. Their behavior and the hero's responses.
I found this book on my niece's book-shelf. I don't know why I started reading it but it was probably because I read Mario Puzo's dreadful pornographic version of the Borgias (and sometimes I still struggle to forget that read it) and as I scanned the intro I thought this might prove to be an antidote.
The book was originally published in 1947 and I was reading a new edition in 2002. The Intro was by Jonathan Yardley. JY claims that the years from 1930 to 1950 were the "golden" years of American fiction, with works greatly superior to modern works. "Modern works" as defined placed John Grisham and Mary Higgins Clark on the same low pedestal. Books from the "golden age" were by authors who I have never heard of, including Samuel Shellabarger.
oh, well! or in other words, aarrghh!
First and foremost, its a fun read. Especially if you enjoy reading about how a siege might be conducted, how Cesare Borgia might have actually thought, etc.. Shellabarger also has a lot of fun making up courtly language as it might have existed in the courts of Florentine Italy. Since this is 1500s, it is a bit too late for the French style of "Courtly love" with its implications of apparently unrequited love, but that does not stop Shellabarger. The heroine is married to a man old enough to be her father but she is pure as driven snow when she and the hero finally engage in holy matrimony (or maybe a bit before that). The villains are utterly evil; the good guys begin as cynics but their hearts of gold that lurk behind a mask of physical ugliness are revealed by the end; the hero is redeemed by the love of the heroine, but his manliness is in no doubt as even the villainesses hanker for his attentions (one freely given but with the advent of the heroine, no more).
Shades of Tom Jones, be not proud!
Shellabarger also has his hero express the desire to see a unified Italy. I don't know if this has historical validity -- the Italy that was ruled from Ravenna came into existence in the fifth century A.D. and ceased to exist as a unified concept by 1000 AD.
One factoid that I did not know of :
"Zoppo is "cripple" in Italian. Blacksmiths in proto-Indo-European cultures were often crippled to prevent escape."
One anti-factoid:
Shellabarger describes the sliver of the new moon rising in the east in the evening and compares it to the golden hair of his heroine. Small problem -- the new moon sets in the west in the evening and only rises in the east in the morning.
(Oh, well! Nobody said that Shellabarger was a scientist).
I enjoyed the way Shellabarger described the conspiracies, plots, and counter-plots that the rulers engaged in. If I read this book again it will be because of two things:
a) the conspiracies
b) the description of the heroine (Camilla de Baglioni) and villainess (Angela Borgia), both fictional. Their behavior and the hero's responses.
November 25, 2022
I've read this multiple times since I was a teenager. This time through I am taking my time instead of rushing through for the exciting story. The prose and story development are so wonderful that they are worth lingering over.
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Good Story #13.
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I absolutely love this author's historical fiction and this is my favorite of his books. This description doesn't do it justice but it is a beginning.
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Good Story #13.
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I absolutely love this author's historical fiction and this is my favorite of his books. This description doesn't do it justice but it is a beginning.
Set in Renaissance Italy, this classic of American popular fiction is the story of Andrea Orsini, a peasant boy who rises to perform delicate political, military, and romantic missions for Cesare Borgia.
February 3, 2009
One of the best books I have ever read! Written by the Author of "Captain From Castille" and set in Italy in 1500. A swashbuckling adventure filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing. The main character, Andrea Orsini, is a brilliant man, whom I grew to love as he transformed throughout the novel. It wasn't a book I was able to read in a day or two. It was wonderfully long - so that you really feel a sense of the people's lives. I was sad when it ended.
February 7, 2008
This reading experience is one for the ages. I found the book without a back or cover page, had NO idea what it was about, and sat down and read, enthralled. Throughout I was amazed by the writing and the story, but I kept on waiting for the disappointment. I thought that I found it at the end, but instead it was a beautiful tweak that brought everything together perfectly.
July 7, 2025
This is probably one of my favourite reads of all time. I read it when I was in high school - along with Shellabarger's other historical fiction epics - and I read it again several years ago, when I was able to locate a copy (via the internet) at a used book store. Shellabarger's characters are magnificent.
June 28, 2012
Love this book. I found it in the 25 cent rack at the local public library about five years. This book is an intelligent adventure read set in the time of Borgias. Lots of intrigue. After reading this book I went and hunted down all of his other works. :)
September 23, 2010
Prince of Foxes is an excellent historical novel set it Italy during the time of Cesare Borgia. This is even better than Shellabarger's The Captain of Castile, another great novel.
May 17, 2014
One of my all-time favorites.
October 18, 2021
This one came recommended by the internet as a title 'similar to the Scarlet Pimpernel.' While it didn't really hit that mark - it was definitely an enjoyable story on its own. Set in Italy during the wars of Cesare Borgia, it follows the endeavors of Andrea Orsini - a man living under an assumed name, doing his best to earn a reputation and nobility for himself.
Andrea is supposed to be a clever trickster, a rogue capable of thinking his way out of any situation. While there was a splash of that here or there in the book, I found that most of the foxiness actually came from his counterpart, Mario Belli, whose character often thought faster on his feet than Orsini's did at every turn. Ultimately, I'm not sure who the "Prince of Foxes" really is at the end of the book - Orsini or Belli. I think the title would actually be applied to Belli with as much right.
The story is well researched, and set in a story-world that breathes the middle ages and draws the reader in - by the end of the book I was very thankful I did not live during that time, while many writers go out of their way to idealize historical times, Shellabarger made it quite clear that it was a difficult place to survive for both nobility and peasants. The only people fit to endure were those who could think four steps ahead.
This book was published before 1980 - so there are times you might want a dictionary handy while reading, and in certain places an 'Italian to English' dictionary. Having those will make the story more fun, but you can get the gist without. (I think the author put most of the curse words in Italian.)
Anyway, swashbuckling adventure, a few merry pranks and a couple of intelligent heroes. Definitely a fun read.
Andrea is supposed to be a clever trickster, a rogue capable of thinking his way out of any situation. While there was a splash of that here or there in the book, I found that most of the foxiness actually came from his counterpart, Mario Belli, whose character often thought faster on his feet than Orsini's did at every turn. Ultimately, I'm not sure who the "Prince of Foxes" really is at the end of the book - Orsini or Belli. I think the title would actually be applied to Belli with as much right.
The story is well researched, and set in a story-world that breathes the middle ages and draws the reader in - by the end of the book I was very thankful I did not live during that time, while many writers go out of their way to idealize historical times, Shellabarger made it quite clear that it was a difficult place to survive for both nobility and peasants. The only people fit to endure were those who could think four steps ahead.
This book was published before 1980 - so there are times you might want a dictionary handy while reading, and in certain places an 'Italian to English' dictionary. Having those will make the story more fun, but you can get the gist without. (I think the author put most of the curse words in Italian.)
Anyway, swashbuckling adventure, a few merry pranks and a couple of intelligent heroes. Definitely a fun read.
November 2, 2019
After reading and enjoying Lord Vanity, I was really looking forward to trying Prince of Foxes. I ended up loving the way Shellabarger creates the detailed historical setting of Italy in the year 1500, and he has written some unique and interesting characters in this story too. Andrea Orsini, our initially mercenary hero, is much more dimensional than I expected. He is an obviously imperfect person, which makes the evolution of his character seem more real and interesting to follow. Other memorable characters include Camilla, Lord Varano(one of my favorites from the story), and Mario Belli. Lucrezia Borgia and Lucia added quite a bit of depth to the story too, though I wish Lucrezia got more time in the story, since Shellabarger seemed to be writing her as a more likable and innocent character than pop culture would have us believe she was.
The story does lose its momentum in quite a few places, but the political intrigue subplots are well-written and there are plenty of good suspense and action moments. And of course it's worth reading for some of the characters alone! Fans of historical fiction will like the setting, romance fans will like the love story, and fans of political stories will like the espionage and intrigue. Prince of Foxes is a good-quality historical adventure with a bit of something for any reader to enjoy.
The story does lose its momentum in quite a few places, but the political intrigue subplots are well-written and there are plenty of good suspense and action moments. And of course it's worth reading for some of the characters alone! Fans of historical fiction will like the setting, romance fans will like the love story, and fans of political stories will like the espionage and intrigue. Prince of Foxes is a good-quality historical adventure with a bit of something for any reader to enjoy.
October 15, 2025
An unheralded classic with adventure and intrigue on a par with Count of Monte Cristo and Scarlet Pimpernel. I first loved this as a pre-teen and, now having revisited, it is every bit as good as I remembered. In my first reading, I glossed over the more adult bits (romance, the historical setting, references to Renaissance painters) which add color and depth to the book. At the core of the book, and savored during both readings, is an intensely plotted, twisty tale with superb characters. On my second reading, the protagonist, Andrea Orsini, is nearly over-the-top wily, thankfully brought to earth by some few foibles and counter-balanced by strong supporting characters. Mario Belli, Orsini's ornery second, is deliciously ambivalent and Orsini is continually tweaked by the spirited central female character Camilla Varano (on my second reading I kept envisioning Katherine Hepburn playing her role). There are also strong cameos from the Borgia family (Cesar, Lucrezia, Angela, Pope Alexander VI) that Orsini serves. Then there is the setting: Renaissance Italy at the height of Cesar Borgia's power in the late 1400's/early 1500's with all the political intrigue between the Italian city-states. A perfect setting for the free-wheeling tale of exploits, conniving, and trickery.
July 21, 2025
Under commission of the pope and in cooperation with Duke Borgia, the protagonist is promised the young wife of a Duke in his seventies. All he has to do is seduce the young wife and then murder the Duke--both tasks that he undertakes with enthusiasm and without any moral qualms.
So, it is difficult to like the protagonist, who endeavors to charm the young Camilla all while concealing the secret of his low birth and inventing a series of lies.
The clever dialogue (reminiscent of Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers) and the constantly shifting alliances are what keep the reader engaged. Just about the time that the reader is about to give up on Andrea Orsini as a hopeless cad who will stoop to murder in order to gain prestige and position (and the lovely Camilla whom Orsini becomes utterly infatuated with), we start seeing hints of humanity.
Despite himself, Orsini can't help but recognize and admire the honorable character of the duke. So, he delays his treachery until the last moment, when finally he throws off the shackles of his wicked alliances and faces their wrath.
This was an heirloom book I inherited from my grandmother along with Prince of Castille. Shellabarger certainly has a way with words.
So, it is difficult to like the protagonist, who endeavors to charm the young Camilla all while concealing the secret of his low birth and inventing a series of lies.
The clever dialogue (reminiscent of Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers) and the constantly shifting alliances are what keep the reader engaged. Just about the time that the reader is about to give up on Andrea Orsini as a hopeless cad who will stoop to murder in order to gain prestige and position (and the lovely Camilla whom Orsini becomes utterly infatuated with), we start seeing hints of humanity.
Despite himself, Orsini can't help but recognize and admire the honorable character of the duke. So, he delays his treachery until the last moment, when finally he throws off the shackles of his wicked alliances and faces their wrath.
This was an heirloom book I inherited from my grandmother along with Prince of Castille. Shellabarger certainly has a way with words.
May 17, 2021
There are few people who can write a rousing historical novel better than Samuel Shellabarger. I'm reading this book after nearly 40 years and the book kept me engrossed more than ever. The story is set in early renaissance Italy when the Borgias were rampaging through the city states. Andrea Orsini is one of the unscrupulous lieutenants of Cesare Borgia who is cunningly swallowing the city states of Central Italy. A failed assassination attempt gets Andrea the services of the unscrupulous Mario Belli, and a meeting with Camillia Baglione of Citta Del Monte and her husband changes his life forever. As we follow his adventure and tribulations one is enthralled by the knowledge and authenticity of the Author. Andrea himself has a shady past and as he grapples with his inclinations, honour and duty we are carried away by the stirring romance of a period which even now reverberates in history.
June 18, 2018
This was a very interesting piece of historical fiction. This does not follow the formulaic traditions of typical storytelling. The most interesting and complex characters were the women. I love how they were not restricted to the standard two dimensional, swooning, fawning, damsels in distress roles. In fact they were usually the ones threatening and often manipulating the situation. This was a delightful change and I was also pleasantly surprised that Cesare Borgia (the Borgias were the powerful 15th century family ruling Valencia) was not the only complex personality, turns out that the majority of the characters were dynamic. I genuinely enjoyed this one and encourage you to add it to your reading list!
July 25, 2023
This is easily in the top 3 most beautiful books I have ever read. Shellabarger's prose is amazing and the story couldn't be better--it has everything: rags to riches, lies, treachery, political and papal intrigue, temptations to lust and power, saints, sinners, artists, warriors, honor, loyalty, conversion, self-sacrifice, real love--what more is there to put in a book? This incredible drama takes place in Italy under a Borgia papacy and when the various city-states are being snapped up by the infamous Cesare Borgia himself. Highly recommended to anyone who appreciates adventure, romance, and language crafted beautifully.
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