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The Fall of the House of Borgia
The Borgia were perhaps the most notorious family in all history. Legends of poisoning and incest, corruption and appalling cruelty rapidly grew up around them. What was the truth behind it all? E. R. Chamberlin presents at last a believable portrait of these extraordinary people, and his book is popular history on a grand scale. He begins with Pope Alexander, whose ambition to found a great dynasty was the driving force that set the whole violent story in train. He continues through the lives of Alexander's children, notably Cesare and Lucretia, tracing the intrigues, alliances and wars by which they struggled to create a great Borgia kingdom in Italy, following their fortunes as they rose to the point at which they 'held the world in fear' and then crashed in final ruin. As important as the characters in the foreground is the Italy against which their drama is played out, a place of warring cities and dynastic machinations where high culture and gross cruelty went hand-in-hand. Above all, there is Rome itself, caught at the moment when the great city was rising from its long, squalid sleep into the glory of the Renaissance dawn.
325 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1974
201 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
E.R. Chamberlin
41 books29 followersEric Russell Chamberlin (1926-2006)
Historian and author. Chamberlin was the author of numerous popular history books ranging from ancient Rome to twentieth-century Britain. Although he was born in Jamaica, he returned to England with his father during the Great Depression. Chamberlin dropped out of school when he was fourteen and became an apprentice leather dresser.
When he was old enough, he eagerly left this work behind to enlist in the Royal Navy in 1944. He served in the military until 1947 and then found work at the Norwich Public Library. It was here that his real education began, and Chamberlin took advantage of his vocation by reading history texts avidly. He later also worked at the Holborn Public Library and then for the book division at Readers’ Digest.
His first book, The Count of Virtue: Giangaleazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, was released in 1965. This would be followed by thirty more books over the next three decades. Among these are The Bad Popes (1969), The Sack of Rome (1979), The Nineteenth Century (1983), The Emperor, Charlemagne (1986), and The Tower of London: An Illustrated History (1989). Also active in historical preservation projects, Chamberlin helped rescue the Guildford Institute building from destruction in 1982 and had a monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson constructed on Mt. Etna in Italy.
For the former endeavor, Chamberlin was recognized with an honorary degree from the University of Surrey in 1982.
Historian and author. Chamberlin was the author of numerous popular history books ranging from ancient Rome to twentieth-century Britain. Although he was born in Jamaica, he returned to England with his father during the Great Depression. Chamberlin dropped out of school when he was fourteen and became an apprentice leather dresser.
When he was old enough, he eagerly left this work behind to enlist in the Royal Navy in 1944. He served in the military until 1947 and then found work at the Norwich Public Library. It was here that his real education began, and Chamberlin took advantage of his vocation by reading history texts avidly. He later also worked at the Holborn Public Library and then for the book division at Readers’ Digest.
His first book, The Count of Virtue: Giangaleazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan, was released in 1965. This would be followed by thirty more books over the next three decades. Among these are The Bad Popes (1969), The Sack of Rome (1979), The Nineteenth Century (1983), The Emperor, Charlemagne (1986), and The Tower of London: An Illustrated History (1989). Also active in historical preservation projects, Chamberlin helped rescue the Guildford Institute building from destruction in 1982 and had a monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson constructed on Mt. Etna in Italy.
For the former endeavor, Chamberlin was recognized with an honorary degree from the University of Surrey in 1982.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 16, 2022
Don’t buy this book expecting a book solely about the fall of the Borgias, the title is rather inaccurate in that it’s about the Borgias with absolutely no focus on their fall. That being said it is exactly what I wanted to read and it’s done very well. There is plenty of myth surrounding the Borgias and Chamberlin does an admirable job explaining what is known, what isn’t, and what was likely the invention of (likely justifiably) vengeful contemporaries. Also any book that is set in Bembo is a pleasure to read (The Dial Press edition) Pietro Bembo makes a cameo appearance at the end and my love of Everyman’s library editions spurred a look at his wikipedia page, yep, he’s THAT Bembo.
August 1, 2024
2019 52 Book Challenge - 30) An Author Who Uses Initials
This was a decent book about the history of the Borgias, not necessarily about their fall. I still enjoyed it and it was worth the read.
This was a decent book about the history of the Borgias, not necessarily about their fall. I still enjoyed it and it was worth the read.
February 17, 2022
325 pages
4 stars
I am fairly new to the study of the Borgia family. I knew that Rodrigo was pope (Alexander VI), and I thought he had bribed and cajoled his way into the position. The other common rumors, I have heard about as well.
This book is fascinating. It is a comprehensive study of the life of Rodrigo Borgia and his ascension to the papal throne as Pope Alexander VI. It also discusses his relationship with various women and his direct influence on his children, Cesare, Juan and Lucrezia. (some would call it interference or meddling.)
It talked about the things he achieved and his personality. While he was very intelligent, he was also ruthless. His ascension is all the more remarkable for being considered an “outsider.” (He was not Italian.)
I found it to be very well researched and the script was detailed. I enjoyed reading this book.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Borgias, the papacy or late 1400’s Italian politics.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for forwarding to me a copy of this very interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
4 stars
I am fairly new to the study of the Borgia family. I knew that Rodrigo was pope (Alexander VI), and I thought he had bribed and cajoled his way into the position. The other common rumors, I have heard about as well.
This book is fascinating. It is a comprehensive study of the life of Rodrigo Borgia and his ascension to the papal throne as Pope Alexander VI. It also discusses his relationship with various women and his direct influence on his children, Cesare, Juan and Lucrezia. (some would call it interference or meddling.)
It talked about the things he achieved and his personality. While he was very intelligent, he was also ruthless. His ascension is all the more remarkable for being considered an “outsider.” (He was not Italian.)
I found it to be very well researched and the script was detailed. I enjoyed reading this book.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the Borgias, the papacy or late 1400’s Italian politics.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for forwarding to me a copy of this very interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
February 26, 2022
I have studied the Renaissance, and the artwork was a major consideration for the time period, it’s families like the House of Medic and the House of Borgia. The book, “The Fall of The House of Borgia” foused on Pope Alexander VI better known as Rodrigo Lanzo Borgia’s and his offspring.
I’ve always been a fan of Ross King and Andrew Graham-Dixon books, so I looked forward to reading E.R, Chamberlain’s book and I was pleased that the writing was similar to my favorite authors, plus I enjoy this type of writing, especially when the authors writes a book that is nonfiction genre that reads more like a fictional novel.
Because of the Showtime's series, most viewers believed that the program portrayed the actual history of the Borgia family. The Pope’s children were illegitimate, yet the Pope managed to gain status for his offspring and through their spousal choices, and he managed to line the family coffers.
I found the book interesting and quite pleasant to read.
I’ve always been a fan of Ross King and Andrew Graham-Dixon books, so I looked forward to reading E.R, Chamberlain’s book and I was pleased that the writing was similar to my favorite authors, plus I enjoy this type of writing, especially when the authors writes a book that is nonfiction genre that reads more like a fictional novel.
Because of the Showtime's series, most viewers believed that the program portrayed the actual history of the Borgia family. The Pope’s children were illegitimate, yet the Pope managed to gain status for his offspring and through their spousal choices, and he managed to line the family coffers.
I found the book interesting and quite pleasant to read.
December 16, 2023
The history of the Vatican is interesting to put it mildly. That it was not just that - that it was manipulative, murderous, incestuous and every shade of corruption in between is being about right. The history is chequered with every human frailty that one can imagine and the Borgias were one family which encapsulated all of the above.
This was a complicated book, which I read over a period of a couple of months. It had to be digested in small doses as it was not easy to read (I am a Catholic myself). But it was excellent historical reading which anyway cannot be erased, however unpalatable it would be!!
As another reviewer explained, the author states clearly facts as what is written and tabulated from hearsay and fiction which could be greatly exaggerated to suit the whims of enemies and competitors. This was a highlight for me.
Sent by Sapere Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley. My apologies for the delay.
This was a complicated book, which I read over a period of a couple of months. It had to be digested in small doses as it was not easy to read (I am a Catholic myself). But it was excellent historical reading which anyway cannot be erased, however unpalatable it would be!!
As another reviewer explained, the author states clearly facts as what is written and tabulated from hearsay and fiction which could be greatly exaggerated to suit the whims of enemies and competitors. This was a highlight for me.
Sent by Sapere Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley. My apologies for the delay.
March 11, 2022
A brilliant, in depth look at the House of Borgia and how Rodrigo and his family nearly ruled the whole of Italy through many different alliances, schemes and bribery.
This is how a history book shoukd be written, examining in great detail and with a comprehensive amount of research.
What I really enjoyed was how the book looked at the subject from a political and historical point of view, with regards to why things were happening and the possible motives.
As someone who has never read a book on The Borgia and who has little knowledge of Italian history, I found this book to be a great read and immensely enjoyable.
I'm looking forward to going back and reading the author's other books in the series as my appetite has been whetted.
This is how a history book shoukd be written, examining in great detail and with a comprehensive amount of research.
What I really enjoyed was how the book looked at the subject from a political and historical point of view, with regards to why things were happening and the possible motives.
As someone who has never read a book on The Borgia and who has little knowledge of Italian history, I found this book to be a great read and immensely enjoyable.
I'm looking forward to going back and reading the author's other books in the series as my appetite has been whetted.
February 25, 2023
The Borgia series on streaming channels only told half the story. This books gives so much more of the Borgias. The insights and motivation of Pope Alexander (Rodrigo Borgia) and Cesare Borgia is illuminating. The intrigues of the Vatican, College of Cardinals, are interesting. But at the same disappointing because of their actions. Deceit, self grandizing, pernicious greed is just a few of the characteristics that they had.
If you enjoyed the streaming series of the Borgias, this book is a must read.
If you enjoyed the streaming series of the Borgias, this book is a must read.
September 29, 2020
Interesting story, characters have been legendary for centuries. Although this family did not begin the dark days of the Catholic Church, they certainly did continue them.
March 4, 2021
Really good thanks 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2022
Interesting
Not the best book on the Borgias I ever read,, but still worthwhile reading. More emphasis on the military exploits than the family itself.
Not the best book on the Borgias I ever read,, but still worthwhile reading. More emphasis on the military exploits than the family itself.
January 18, 2023
An historical treaty on the infamous family. It debunked many of the myths around the family who prospered and then fell in turbulent times. A fascinating read if somewhat dry in places.
December 18, 2025
The title is a bit misleading but it’s still a really interesting book on the infamous family. Recommended.
November 14, 2016
Excellent history of the Borgia house without the wild speculation and conjecture portrayed in some books and television series. If you're looking to evaluate the Borgia house and the rumors surrounding them vis-a-vis believable sources, a review of known motivations, and events which definitely occurred afterwards, this is the place to begin. Also contains a detailed bibliography for further reading.
January 26, 2016
The Borgias are an interesting subject. After watching the tv series I gathered up a bunch of books from the library about them. This is the one that worked for me. It's well written and accessible. I am not a big non-fiction reader. I often don't finish a book unless I'm listening to it. I read this one all the way through easily.
January 17, 2009
It was actually very informative but, in general, my tolerance for reading history-related books is low. Definitely interesting and worth reading if you've wondered about the Borgia family.
Updated to
Updated to
June 26, 2017
Solid general history of the Borgias, focusing primarily on Rodrigo (Pope Alexander) and his children. The title is misleading as only about 15 pages deal with the downfall of the family's power in Italy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews