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)

Mind-Blowing!

The author postulates the idea that the legend of the Borgias has trumped scholarship for the last 500 years, and that the real story is far more interesting. That's always a great setup for a good narrative history, isn't it? If any family in history has been the recipient of bad press, it's the Borgia family. Corruption, blackmail, incest... the crimes perpetuated in the Borgia name know no bounds, made more sensational by the fact that the guy pulling the strings sat on the Papal throne. But is that reputation deserved?

Meyer did such a great job tackling the Tudor dynasty, I couldn't help but be drawn to this one. Admittedly, almost every text I've ever read on the Borgias fits the stereotype of what the author describes as the problem, and I do find his scholarship to be fascinating in the extreme. The book is so carefully laid out that the political backdrop for Rodrigo's rise to power takes up the first 8 hours out of a 20 hour presentation. It's so intricate by comparison of nearly everything else in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and yet so easy to follow with Meyer's expert guidance. It makes me wish I had this book years ago when I first dipped my toes into Renaissance history. Once the dominoes are put in place, the Papal crown is placed on Rodrigo's head, and from there more dominoes are put into place every bit as fast as the ones in play start falling. It's easy to understand why this is one of those stories that gets out of control quickly.

The Borgias may never escape their legend, but Meyer's account truly is compelling, starting with the claim, supported by recently uncovered Vatican records, that Rodrigo was elected pope fair and square, unanimously. This is the sort of spin you'll find here, and the story only unfolds from there, systematically dispelling myths and verifying truths one by one. If I were making a wish list, I would want Meyer to give us companion volumes for the Medici and Sforza lines. Such tales naturally intersect and are touched upon here, but the Borgia focus of the book does taper the narrative point of view a little bit. That's probably for the best since the total story from all sides would probably be a massive rodent killer of a book. Even so, I want that book. This one is a great start.

One of the most fascinating history books in a long time.

A complete revision of the popular cliches on the Borgias and a magisterial immersion into Renaissance Italy. Extremely well written and fascinating from the first to the last page.

Prejudice revised

This deep and carefully researched insight into power struggles of the 15th century Italy and Europe and the involvement of the Borgias does away with sensationalism, unfounded prejudices and rumors. After listening one recognizes once again how quickly collective judgement follows the wrong lead…

Absolutely nothing wrong with this audiobook

Where does The Borgias rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This audiobook is excellent in every respect. Its a GJ Meyer book, so the narrative style is spellbinding. I have listened to his other books as well, e.g. The World Undone and The Tudors, and his book on the Borgias is just as enjoyable.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Borgias?

GJ Meyer turns the entire sprawling anti-Borgia conspiracy on its head. This is sorely needed revisinist history, delivered in a very enjoyable fashion.

What does Enn Reitel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I dont really notice the narrator - that's how good he is. He just fades into the background, which makes for a great audiobook.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Good History, Good storytellingt

This is more than a history of the Borgias. It is also tells the story of the 15th Century papacy and the Italian wars. It is very entertains and well researched.

Not thrilling

Boring in regards to the history of the borgias, but interesting in regards to renaissance Italy. Certainly reading a Borgia history focused on scandal and murder and incest would have been more interesting, but this history seemed to take a more realistic or at least more grounded approach.

Thorough and Fascinating

I loved the background sections at the end of each chapter. They are like bonus history lessons that provide more context.

Eye opening

Solomon said to increase knowledge is to increase sorrow and it is sad to know that I accepted rumours as facts. I am delighted to know however that Rodrigo was what I believed an amiable fellow.

Great compelling listen

well told story. very well performed. no I know why Italy is such a mess 😉

You REALLLLY have to pay attention

This book is so well written that despite the unfamiliar place-names and repeating family names and cousins and grandfathers, you're held in thrall by the story. The author gives solid grounds for contradicting the old stories and builds his speculation on those grounds for what is, ultimately, the unknowable definitive event.
Where facts are to be had, their source is cited.
THATS's what a history is supposed to be.