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The Borgias

Power and Depravity in Renaissance Italy

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The Borgias

By: Paul Strathern
Narrated by: Julian Elfer
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About this listen

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 Europe Historical Italy Renaissance Royalty

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This was such a fascinating history into the power and politics of the Borgias in renaissance Italy. It was superbly researched and written which weaved all the multitude of players, chroniclers and motivations into an extremely entertaining account. Excellent. The narrator also does a superb job with the material too.

Fascinating and supremely engaging

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A very good, interesting and most enjoyable book to listen to. I must say that it does not follow some other books I have read about the Borgias. In one the Borgia children are not the Pope's actual offspring, but I suppose it is so far in the past that we cannot now know.
A very good narration.

Enjoyable

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Fabulously told and brilliantly performed. It is great that gems like this are included with the subscription.

Excellent

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The author has really got into the psychological aspects of the Borgia family, and although he records the amazing and often salacious details of their progress he doesn’t sensationalise their behaviour. The narrator is excellent and his Italian accent is perfect when he pronounces the many names involved which adds to the overall authenticity. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Fantastic attention to detail and very well written.

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Fascinating and Thorough I really enjoyed listening to this book. Very detailed and comprehensive, this is the best account of the Borgias I've heard.

Excellent listen

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Loved listening to the history of this famously ruthless family, the politics of the period seems very relevant today, highly recommend it.

Amazing peek into history

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I enjoyed this, both as history and a an interesting story in itself. It took a while to get into because of familiarising with the various people, places, and things going on etc.
Well written and well read.
I will probably listen again sometime as i expect it to make more sense now I have built up a picture of who is who and the various forces and positions involved.

Interesting and well presented

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Enjoyed
Very thorough and informative coverage of one of Renaissances most important family histories
Well read

Entertaining

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This book really does get you hooked and does not disappoint. It reads like a renaissance soap opera!

Absolutely Fascinating

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Just amazing, I am at a loss for words. A very interesting insight into the machinations of power, lust, betrayal and humanity.

Superb, never such colourful historic reading

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