The Borgias

Power and Depravity in Renaissance Italy

By: Paul Strathern

Narrated by: Julian Elfer

The Borgia family have become a byword for evil. Corruption, incest, ruthless megalomania, avarice, and vicious cruelty - all have been associated with their name. And yet, paradoxically, this family lived when the Renaissance was coming into its full flowering in Italy. Examples of infamy flourished alongside some of the finest art produced in western history.

This is but one of several paradoxes associated with the Borgia family. For the family which produced corrupt popes, depraved princes, and poisoners, would also produce a saint. These paradoxes which so characterize the Borgias have seldom been examined in great detail. Previously history has tended to condemn, or attempt in part to exonerate, this remarkable family. Yet in order to understand the Borgias, much more is needed than evidence for and against. The Borgias must be related to their time, together with the world which enabled them to flourish. Within this context the Renaissance itself takes on a very different aspect. Was the corruption part of the creation, or vice versa?

The primitive psychological forces which first played out in the amphitheaters of ancient Greece are all here. Along with the final, tragic downfall.

©2019 Paul Strathern (P)2019 Tantor

Fabulous Intrigue

A front seat to the intrigue of the Borgia family. Fabulous way to learn about that period in history!

The Kardashians before the Kardashians

This was a great book highlighting the sorted lives of people in power well before there was ever reality TV. It is an insightful look into the politics of a family who controlled the Vatican for quite some time.

Hard to believe they were so awful!

These times are interesting but the people are unbelievably nasty. And nobody cares how much havoc they create. Popes and all!

narration. I love the author. I've enjoyed many of his books and plan to read them all

that i must answer this. why can't I just like it. now 15 words

superb

A superb account of one of Europe's most infamous families! loved every second of this.