Reviews

The Borgias: Power and Fortune by Paul Strathern

matty_hales's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.25

sensira's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

I could have fixed Cesare Borgia

Jokes aside, a very informative look at the chaotic and power-hungry wealthy class of Italy. Even I, a modern woman, was scandalized at times once learning what the Pope was up to. The nature of Renaissance social history is a reliance on personal accounts and documents that are inherently biased, leaving a fun amount of speculation on what was true or fabricated. That being said, Cesare definitely murdered his brother. Of this, I am confident. 

Great book and a great read. 

aceandmasa's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.5

poetskings's review against another edition

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challenging informative fast-paced

3.75

jasna1978's review against another edition

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informative mysterious

3.0

jack_w16's review against another edition

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2.0

Fine comprehensive history of the Borgias. I was hoping for more on the rich array of conspiracies, whether true or debunked, of this notorious family--at the least, some sidebars--but was met mostly with political and military minutia. I read just after Strathern's Medici book and definitely preferred the first, though together they provide a nice crossover.

jossreviews's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

3.5

scylla87's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

2.75

caidyn's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

Some of the details in here felt like something out of Showtime's show, but I still really enjoyed reading this.

plaidpladd's review against another edition

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4.0

Really interesting overview, and very well-written and researched. I feel prepared to read some historical fiction now.