Cesare Borgia

Jan 11, 2025 5:15 PM

Author:Sarah Bradford

Cesare Borgia

THE FULL STORY BEHIND THE BORGIAS, NOW A MAJOR TV DRAMA STARRING JEREMY IRONS

'Either Caesar or nothing' was the motto of Cesare Borgia, whose name has long been synonymous with evil. Almost five centuries have passed since his death, yet his reputation still casts a sinister shadow. He stands accused of treachery, cruelty, rape, incest and, especially, murder - assassination by poison, the deadly white powder concealed in the jewelled ring, or by the midnight band of bravos lurking in the alleys of Renaissance Rome.

This classic book by acclaimed historian and biographer Sarah Bradford (author of Lucrezia Borgia and Diana), is the drama of a man of exceptional gifts and a driving lust for power. Cesare Borgia dared fortune for the highest goals and when fate turned against him he fell like Lucifer. Set against the brilliant backcloth of High Renaissance Italy, his life had the perfect proportions of a Greek tragedy.

Reviews

"This entertaining, scholarly book suggests how they [women] disappeared and why figures such as Lennox deserve to be remembered."

—— Tom Boncza-Tomaszewski, Independent

An erudite and delightful literary and philosophical romp

—— Herald

McLynn's feisty and highly personal take on the pivot point of the Seven Years War adds fresh perspectives to the old story

—— Stephen Brumwell , Times Literary Supplement

A stylish and fascinating account of the first global struggle

—— New Statesman

Splendid

—— Guardian

Magnificent

—— Sunday Express

Fascinating

—— History Today

Makes a great case for a better appreciation of this, the fourth year of the Seven Years' War

—— Jad Adams , BBC History Magazine

Robust, intelligent, panoramic history at its best

—— Andrew Lycett , BBC History Magazine

Frank McLynn is clearly one of those historian-writers so prolific and versatile that he makes you wonder why Simon Schama doesn't pull his finger out

—— Independent on Sunday

As good as the author's previous biography of Queen Victoria's eldest daughter and that is saying a great deal

—— Contemporary Review

The sisters' story emerges from their letters, spiced in Jehanne Wake's entertaining narrative with aristocratic gossip and succinct accounts of (such) half-forgotten history

—— Daily Mail

Wake has crafted an entertaining story, based on research of several letters from the period, about the sisters, their loves, lives and ambitions...as a historical account it comes recommended

—— Julian Fleming , Sunday Business Post

Thorpe's superb biography leaves no primary source untapped, and bountiful anecdotes make this account of a truly three-dimensional character a joy to read.

—— Telegraph

Bringing together 35 years of research this biography of Harold Macmillan looks at both his personal and political achievements, conflicts, and events that defined his time. From Eton to prime minister, this is a compelling read.

—— Charlotte Vowden , Daily Express

He is an Aston Martin DB6 kind of writer, who is very English, very stately

—— Anthony Seldon , The Browser

Scholarly, and thoroughly researched, Supermac should nevertheless appeal to the general reader through the accessibility of its proce and the assistance offered by placing events in historical context... Humane, benevolent, and considerable; much like its subject

—— Dr Martin Farr , BBC History Magazine

The best biography of a post-war British Prime Minister yet written.

—— Vernon Bogdanor, Professor of Government at Oxford University

A unique and astonishing social history book which is revolutionary in its concept, informative and entertaining

—— History magazine

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