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The Condottieri: Soldiers of Fortune
The great free-lance generals who played so large and colourful a part in the history of Italy from the beginning of the 14th to the first half of the 16th are brought to life in all their diversity, Federigo Montefeltro, Facino Cane, Francesco Sforza, Ottobruno Terzo and many other figures.
- GenresHistoryEuropean History
367 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1971
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About the author
Geoffrey Trease
174 books25 followersRobert Geoffrey Trease (1909-1998) was a prolific writer, publishing 113 books between 1934 (Bows Against the Barons) and 1997 (Cloak for a Spy). His work has been translated into 20 languages. His grandfather was a historian, and was one of the main influences towards Trease's work.
He is best known for writing children's historical novels, whose content reflects his insistence on historically correct backgrounds, which he meticulously researched. However, with his ground-breaking study Tales Out of School (1949), he was also a pioneer of the idea that children's literature should be a serious subject for study and debate. When he began his career, his radical viewpoint was a change from the conventional and often jingoistic tone of most children's literature of the time, and he was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes.
He is best known for writing children's historical novels, whose content reflects his insistence on historically correct backgrounds, which he meticulously researched. However, with his ground-breaking study Tales Out of School (1949), he was also a pioneer of the idea that children's literature should be a serious subject for study and debate. When he began his career, his radical viewpoint was a change from the conventional and often jingoistic tone of most children's literature of the time, and he was one of the first authors who deliberately set out to appeal to both boys and girls and to feature strong leading characters of both sexes.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 16, 2012
Superb, and essential reading for anyone interested in the history of mercenaries generally.
June 10, 2008
A very accessible read on the lives of several famous mercenary captains in medieval/early renaissance Italy.
Unlike Fowler's Medieval Mercenaries, it focuses on the lives of the generals, the political and social environments, as well as the role of their employers. This illustrates the 'rockstar general' type lives some of them lived, and the repercussions of that life.
Unlike Fowler's Medieval Mercenaries, it focuses on the lives of the generals, the political and social environments, as well as the role of their employers. This illustrates the 'rockstar general' type lives some of them lived, and the repercussions of that life.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews