Leo T. reviewed on 9/19/2019 + 1775 more book reviews

The Borgias are familiar to all of us but I agree with critics that this is well-written. Ms. Bradford is the author of two previous books on this family and thus, as many historians would like to do, is able here to utilize some of the unused information she found and couldn't use in those previous volumes.
"From the reports of the Ferrarese envoys in Rome to Ercole, it is clear that Lucrezia herself handled the negociations and that the Ferrarese, rather than speaking directly to the Pope, generally used her as their intermediary. This cleverly underlined her importance in the eyes of the Ferrarese, as it was made clear that any concessions made by the Pope were gained by her intercession. Indeed, Alexander and Cesare were out of Rome on two occasions that autumn--in late September visiting Nepi, Civia Castellana and other Borgia fortresses and from 10 to 17 October touring the former Colonna properties--Lucrezia being left as regent in the Vatican."
The salad days of Alexander arranging benefits for the family and Cesare as a successful military leader ended and Lucrezia had to muddle through some more difficult days, but she was a survivor.
Bibliography, maps, geneaology, a few plates,Endnotes, Index.

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