The Borgias: The Hidden History
G. J. Meyer
Apr 2013 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Enn Reitel
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3 reviews
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20 hr 12 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook
An unprecedented portrait of the Renaissance-era Borgia family and their storied milieu, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Tudors
“A vivid and at times startling reappraisal of one of the most notorious dynasties in history . . . If you thought you knew the Borgias, this book will surprise you.”—Tracy Borman, author of Queen of the Conqueror and Elizabeth’s Women
“Fascinating . . . a gripping history of a tempestuous time and an infamous family.”—Shelf Awareness
In the glorious and blood-drenched pageant known to us as the Italian Renaissance, the Borgias held center stage. History claims that Rodrigo Borgia bought the papal crown and prostituted the Roman Church; that Cesare Borgia, after becoming a teenage cardinal, turned into the most treacherous cutthroat of a violent time; and that Lucrezia Borgia, though beautiful, was also shockingly immoral. Today the members of this infamous dynasty remain immutable symbols of the depths to which humanity can descend.
But do the Borgias deserve this notorious reputation? Grounding his narrative in exhaustive research and drawing from rarely examined key sources, acclaimed author G. J. Meyer brings fascinating new insight to the real people within the age-encrusted myth. Equally illuminating is the light he shines on the brilliant circles in which the Borgias moved and the thrilling era they helped to shape—a time of wars and political convulsions that reverberate to the present day.
Stunning in scope, rich in telling detail, The Borgias is an indelible work sure to become the new standard on a family and a world that continue to enthrall.
“A vivid and at times startling reappraisal of one of the most notorious dynasties in history . . . If you thought you knew the Borgias, this book will surprise you.”—Tracy Borman, author of Queen of the Conqueror and Elizabeth’s Women
“Fascinating . . . a gripping history of a tempestuous time and an infamous family.”—Shelf Awareness
In the glorious and blood-drenched pageant known to us as the Italian Renaissance, the Borgias held center stage. History claims that Rodrigo Borgia bought the papal crown and prostituted the Roman Church; that Cesare Borgia, after becoming a teenage cardinal, turned into the most treacherous cutthroat of a violent time; and that Lucrezia Borgia, though beautiful, was also shockingly immoral. Today the members of this infamous dynasty remain immutable symbols of the depths to which humanity can descend.
But do the Borgias deserve this notorious reputation? Grounding his narrative in exhaustive research and drawing from rarely examined key sources, acclaimed author G. J. Meyer brings fascinating new insight to the real people within the age-encrusted myth. Equally illuminating is the light he shines on the brilliant circles in which the Borgias moved and the thrilling era they helped to shape—a time of wars and political convulsions that reverberate to the present day.
Stunning in scope, rich in telling detail, The Borgias is an indelible work sure to become the new standard on a family and a world that continue to enthrall.
An unprecedented portrait of the Renaissance-era Borgia family and their storied milieu, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Tudors
“A vivid and at times startling reappraisal of one of the most notorious dynasties in history . . . If you thought you knew the Borgias, this book wil...
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Ratings and reviews
3 reviews
Jennifer Waters
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August 12, 2020
The author completely missed the depth and excitement of time and place. None of the characters were fleshed out to reflect the interesting real human beings they were. The entire book is a dry, tedious list of names after name, dates and places. This history should remain hidden.
Fred
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May 22, 2019
eventhough I had read many books about the Borgias this book blow me away, the horror and atrocities Borgias reigned on the people, scandals r far beyond my expectations. a meticulously researched book that shed light on this Pope, assassinations. poisoning and elimination of opposition that Rodrigo did to hold on the power are really surprising. A nice read and well written and well narrated.
Melinda M
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August 7, 2023
As long as books slam Whites and Catholics, it gets published. This is no different.
About the author
G. J. Meyer is the author of two popular works of history, The Tudors and A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, as well as Executive Blues and The Memphis Murders. He received an M.A. from the University of Minnesota, where he was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and later was awarded Harvard University’s Nieman Fellowship in Journalism. He has taught at colleges in Des Moines, St. Louis, and New York, and now lives in Wiltshire, England.
G. J. Meyer is the author of two popular works of history, The Tudors and A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, as well as Executive Blues and The Memphis Murders. He received an M.A. from the University of Minnesota, where he was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and later was awarded Harvard Unive...
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