The Borgias

The Hidden History

By: G. J. Meyer

Narrated by: Enn Reitel

Length: 19 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

The startling truth behind one of the most notorious dynasties in history is revealed in a remarkable new account by the acclaimed author of The Tudors and A World Undone. Sweeping aside the gossip, slander, and distortion that have shrouded the Borgias for centuries, G. J. Meyer offers an unprecedented portrait of the infamous Renaissance family and their storied milieu.

The Borgias

They burst out of obscurity in Spain not only to capture the great prize of the papacy, but to do so twice. Throughout a tumultuous half-century - as popes, statesmen, warriors, lovers, and breathtakingly ambitious political adventurers - they held center stage in the glorious and blood-drenched pageant known to us as the Italian Renaissance, standing at the epicenter of the power games in which Europe’s kings and Italy’s warlords gambled for life-and-death stakes.

Five centuries after their fall - a fall even more sudden than their rise to the heights of power - they remain immutable symbols of the depths to which humanity can descend: Rodrigo, the Borgia who bought the papal crown and prostituted the Roman Church; Cesare, the Borgia who became first a teenage cardinal and then the most treacherous cutthroat of a violent time; Lucrezia, the Borgia as shockingly immoral as she was beautiful. These have long been stock figures in the dark chronicle of European villainy, their name synonymous with unspeakable evil.

But did these Borgias of legend actually exist? Grounding his narrative in exhaustive research and drawing from rarely examined key sources, 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, when Western civilization simultaneously wallowed in appalling brutality and soared to extraordinary heights. Stunning in scope, rich in telling detail, G. J. Meyer’s The Borgias is an indelible work sure to become the new standard on a family and a world that continue to enthrall.

©2013 G. J. Meyer (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"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)

"The Borgias is a fascinating look into the lives of the notorious Italian Renaissance family and its reputation for womanizing, murder and corruption. Meyer turns centuries of accepted wisdom about the Borgias on its head, probing deep into contemporary documents and neglected histories to reveal some surprising truths.... The Borgias: The Hidden History is a gripping history of a tempestuous time and an infamous family." (Shelf Awareness)

"Meyer brings his considerable skills to another infamous Renaissance family, the Borgias [and] a fresh look into the machinations of power in Renaissance Italy.... [He] makes a convincing case that the Borgias have been given a raw deal." (Historical Novels Review)

Amazing

Well researched, engaging and interesting new perspective on fascinating time in history. Well narrated as well, which enhances story. Demands your full attention

Enjoyed learning!

I genuinely enjoyed listening to this book. After watching a few different TV series about the Borgia's it was nice to hear some actual facts and learn more about this time.

A history scholar’s delight.

Liked overview of the period and the attempt to put historical context (back story) of the Borgia era. More detail than I need or will ever recall. I suppose historians would love it.

A great and well researched book.

Very enjoyable and well written history of the Borgia family, discounting most of the crap that has been accepted for centuries. It also illustrates how poorly the script for the TV series was researched and directed.

Slow then crashes

It was quite slow but full of interesting history and reasonable analysis. I thought the last chapter marred an otherwise good read. To me, it was a long rehash of points already made.

Fascinating

Although I had some basic prior knowledge of this history, the unlikely version portrayed in the TV series made me want to know more. This book is brilliant, insightful, objective and well-researched. A thoroughly enjoyable “read”.

The Borgias better than the tv show

If you could sum up The Borgias in three words, what would they be?

Better than the TV show

What did you like best about this story?

I loved all the additional details regarding the Borja family. I enjoyed the writer's objectivity. It was as if he was a defense attorney for the Borgia family. He presented sound reason to illustrate why the Borgias were not the villians, of the Middle Ages.

Beware ..contradicts what we THINK we know

im pretty familiar with Borgias ( as seem on tv) so naturally loving history i was eager to see who they really are. but i warn you that this book makes what seems like good points saying they werent father and children but thier uncle. i don't know if it's true but book tries too explain why. i can't say anything bad I that point as i don't know details, as this was my first book on the subject. i am eager to compare. of course truth is usually duller then the story we hear so that could be a disappointment in this reading. still.. i don't think this is the only book you should read on this subject but it should be one of them.i just want to be sure things weren't left out to not confuse us.

Gripping and Entertaining story

I loved this revision of the Borgia story. G.J. Meyer presents a compelling case for historians to re-examine the accepted accounts of this infamous family.

A great perspective

I knew little about this family and I have not seen the Showtime series but the author makes a great effort to present the evidence on this family. If you’ve seen the series I really recommend this book.