The Borgias (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Marion Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: March 26, 2002

The name Borgia is synonymous with the political corruption, greed, incest, and murder that was rife in Renaissance Italy. Rodrigo Borgia-Pope Alexander VI-the first man to have clearly bought himself the papacy, and two of his infamous illegitimate children-Cesare and Lucrezia-were the three central figures of the Borgia dynasty, notorious for seizing power, wealth, land, and titles through bribery, marriage, and murder. Marion Johnson plots the dynasty's dramatic rise from its beginnings in Spain to its occupation of the highest position in Renaissance society, examining how far the myth of the Borgias is borne out by historical facts. Behind the gaudy horrors, she concludes, lie people of great talent and achievement, possessors, even, of moderate virtues.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marion Johnson made her home in Rome while working for the British Foreign Office, where she discovered the Borgias legend.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (March 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0141390751
• ISBN-13: 978-0141390758
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #525,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colourful and interesting history, June 9, 2002

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Borgias (Hardcover)

In this beautifully illustrated work, Johnson plots the dramatic rise of the Borgias from their roots in Spain to their occupation of the highest position in Renaissance society in Italy at a time when that country occupied centerstage in Europe, both politically and culturally. She explains why history has depicted the Borgias as fallen angels in a corrupt era, but considers the condemnation to have been too absolute and maintains that behind the gaudy horrors existed people of real talent and achievement, some of whom even possessed moderate virtues.
All of the Borgias were strong and colorful characters who caught the world's attention whatever they did. The crimes and sins of Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), his children Cesare and Lucrezia, and the legends of poisoning and incest that surrounded them, are here compellingly re-examined by Johnson.
There are maps and genealogical tables, a select bibliography and a detailed index, and the text is enhanced by beautiful black & white and full-colour illustrations. This is a thoroughly researched and well-written book, and I highly recommend it.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing read, beautifully illustrated, July 25, 2007

By 

Pieter "Toypom" (Johannesburg) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

In this beautifully illustrated work, Johnson plots the dramatic rise of the Borgias from their roots in Spain to their occupation of the highest position in Renaissance society in Italy at a time when that country occupied centerstage in Europe, both politically and culturally.

She explains why history has depicted the Borgias as fallen angels in a corrupt era, but considers the condemnation to have been too absolute and maintains that behind the gaudy horrors existed people of real talent and achievement, some of whom even possessed moderate virtues.

All of the Borgias were strong and colorful characters who caught the world's attention whatever they did. The crimes and sins of Rodrigo Borgia (Pope Alexander VI), his children Cesare and Lucrezia, and the legends of poisoning and incest that surrounded them, are here compellingly re-examined by Johnson.

There are maps and genealogical tables, a select bibliography and a detailed index, and the text is enhanced by beautiful black & white and full-colour illustrations. For further reading, I recommend THE BORGIAS by Michael Mallett.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a great book, January 2, 2009

By 

Danotello "Dan" (Los Altos, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Borgias (Hardcover)

"The Borgias" by Marion Johnson is a good book for anyone who wants a quick overview on this quite appalling Roman family with Spanish roots. It has nice color and b/w illustrations, genealogies and maps. It is an easy read, but the lack of serious scholarship is evident. Often, the author goes back and forth in time even within the same chapter and sometimes just rambles on without a thread of thought. The book also misses a map of Rome and the Vatican, home of two Borgia popes.