Stephen R. Bown's Blog: Stephen Bown's random author musings, page 7
September 15, 2011
More about Rodrigo Borgia from 1494
Rodrigo Borgia was a great patron of the arts, commissioning works from Raphael and Michelangelo, among others. He put on lavish entertainments in the large square fronting his mansion, including bullfights, musical and theatrical performances and fireworks displays.
Pope Pius II wrote in his memoirs that Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia’s palace “eclipsed in cost and ingenuity” the palaces of all the other cardinals and “seemed to be gleaming with gold, such as they say the Emperor Nero’s palace once did.”
Pope Pius II wrote in his memoirs that Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia’s palace “eclipsed in cost and ingenuity” the palaces of all the other cardinals and “seemed to be gleaming with gold, such as they say the Emperor Nero’s palace once did.”
September 2, 2011
The Palazzo Borgia
The Palazzo Borgia, Rodrigo Borgia’s three-storey mansion, was one of the grandest palaces in Italy; its lofty corridors were painted with fanciful and dramatic scenes from antiquity, its soaring rooms were adorned with sculptures and other works of art, priceless tapestries and carpets competed with finely carved ornate furnishings; silk, brocade and velvet were on display everywhere.
1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half
1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half
August 31, 2011
Historical tidbits from 1494
My latest book, 1494, tells the true story involving a corrupt pope – Rodrigo Borgia, the patriarch of the family fictionalized in the hit Showtime series The Borgias – in an explosive feud between monarchs, clergy and explorers that split the globe between Spain and Portugal and made the world’s oceans a battleground.
In my next few blog posts, I will share some interesting historical tidbits about Rodrigo Borgia:
As vice-chancellor of the Holy See, Rodrigo Borgia, the future Pope Alexander VI, amassed one of the greatest fortunes in Rome. He dwelt in an imposing palace on the Street of the Ancient Banks, with nearly two hundred servants and slaves to tend to the opulent furnishings and dozens of rooms. The Palazzo Borgia, as his three-storey mansion was called, was one of the grandest palaces in Italy.
1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half
In my next few blog posts, I will share some interesting historical tidbits about Rodrigo Borgia:
As vice-chancellor of the Holy See, Rodrigo Borgia, the future Pope Alexander VI, amassed one of the greatest fortunes in Rome. He dwelt in an imposing palace on the Street of the Ancient Banks, with nearly two hundred servants and slaves to tend to the opulent furnishings and dozens of rooms. The Palazzo Borgia, as his three-storey mansion was called, was one of the grandest palaces in Italy.
1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half
August 29, 2011
Review of 1494 in the Toronto Star
Great first review of 1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half from the Toronto Star. The Canadian publication date is late August 2011 while the U.S. publication date is mid Febuary 2012.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/art...
Go to www.facebook.com/srbown for additional information.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/art...
Go to www.facebook.com/srbown for additional information.
June 20, 2011
New Author page on Facebook
I have just set up my author page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/srbown), which contains some additional information not presented here. You can "like" the page to receive extra updates, advance excerpts, etc. about my latest book 1494: How a Family Feud in Medieval Spain Divided the World in Half, which features the notorious Rodrigo Borgia (the same Borgia from the hit tv show The Borgias) Pope Alexander VI, as the man who divided te world in half - for his own corrupt and self-serving interests, naturally!
March 21, 2011
Washington Times and Post&Courier review Merchant Kings
"A masterful read."
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2...
"Engagingly written and refreshingly conversational, "Merchant Kings" brings a cohesion to such a large and unwieldy historical period, a period that both led directly to, and remains an integral part of, so many contemporary economic and political struggles. And he does so commendably."
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/20...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2...
"Engagingly written and refreshingly conversational, "Merchant Kings" brings a cohesion to such a large and unwieldy historical period, a period that both led directly to, and remains an integral part of, so many contemporary economic and political struggles. And he does so commendably."
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/20...
December 7, 2010
New York Journal of Books, excellent review of Merchant Kings
"Bown has fashioned a chronicle perfectly relevant to our own time—and ultimately shows us that a market is free only when those who live and consume within it are protected from the powerful."
Read the full review at:
http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/revie...
Read the full review at:
http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/revie...
October 25, 2010
Starred Review for Merchant Kings at Publishers Weekly
Merchant Kings: When Companies Ruled the World, 1600–1900
Stephen R. Bown, St. Martin's/Dunne, $26.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-312-61611-3
Bown (A Most Damnable Invention) has produced a magnificent description of the six great companies, and their leaders, that dominated the "Heroic Age of Commerce." Bown demonstrates how the corporations served as stalking horses for kings and parliaments while enriching shareholders and the powerful managers themselves. Jan Pieterszoon Coen of the Dutch East India Company was particularly noteworthy for cruel tyranny in what is now Indonesia. The English East India Company's Robert Clive, through genius and perseverance, rose to a position of near-absolute power in India. Aleksander Baranov of the Russian American Company, known as the "Lord of Alaska," was bound by ties of decency and responsibility to the company's men, but also had a deep strain of brutality. Cecil Rhodes of the British South Africa Company and of De Beers, the South African diamond monopoly, was dedicated both to the British Empire and to the success of his various enterprises. Bown presents a fascinating look at the men who exploited resources and native peoples while laying the foundations of empires. "Neither heroes nor angels," Bown says, their global impact was as great as that of any king. Illus.; maps. (Dec.)
Stephen R. Bown, St. Martin's/Dunne, $26.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-312-61611-3
Bown (A Most Damnable Invention) has produced a magnificent description of the six great companies, and their leaders, that dominated the "Heroic Age of Commerce." Bown demonstrates how the corporations served as stalking horses for kings and parliaments while enriching shareholders and the powerful managers themselves. Jan Pieterszoon Coen of the Dutch East India Company was particularly noteworthy for cruel tyranny in what is now Indonesia. The English East India Company's Robert Clive, through genius and perseverance, rose to a position of near-absolute power in India. Aleksander Baranov of the Russian American Company, known as the "Lord of Alaska," was bound by ties of decency and responsibility to the company's men, but also had a deep strain of brutality. Cecil Rhodes of the British South Africa Company and of De Beers, the South African diamond monopoly, was dedicated both to the British Empire and to the success of his various enterprises. Bown presents a fascinating look at the men who exploited resources and native peoples while laying the foundations of empires. "Neither heroes nor angels," Bown says, their global impact was as great as that of any king. Illus.; maps. (Dec.)
May 6, 2010
The Right Honourable Paul Martin Endorses Merchant Kings
This happened a few months ago, but I'm just posting it now:
After picking up a copy of Stephen Bown's new book Merchant Kings: When Companies Ruled the World, 1600–1900, Former Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin couldn't put it down. He called Stephen to tell him so, and then officially endorsed the book saying:
"Stephen Bown tells a fascinating story, one that provides a very different perspective on the colonial period than that which is to be gleaned from the usual grocery list of significant events. I started Merchant Kings on the plane one evening and didn't put it down until the Sun rose the next morning. I lost a night's sleep – but it was worth it."
– The Right Honourable Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada
After picking up a copy of Stephen Bown's new book Merchant Kings: When Companies Ruled the World, 1600–1900, Former Prime Minister of Canada Paul Martin couldn't put it down. He called Stephen to tell him so, and then officially endorsed the book saying:
"Stephen Bown tells a fascinating story, one that provides a very different perspective on the colonial period than that which is to be gleaned from the usual grocery list of significant events. I started Merchant Kings on the plane one evening and didn't put it down until the Sun rose the next morning. I lost a night's sleep – but it was worth it."
– The Right Honourable Paul Martin, former Prime Minister of Canada
April 13, 2010
Wine and literature
The Writers Guild of Alberta and 100 Wines Present the 2010 Alberta Literary Awards Shortlist Celebration—WINE & LITERARY PAIRINGS, SLAM READINGS AND MORE! Featuring Merchant Kings author Stephen Bown.
Friday, April 30, 2010
100 Wines
1109 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
7PM
Free admission & open to the public
As a prelude to this year's Alberta Literary Awards Gala—come out and raise your glasses to the 2010 shortlisted authors at Calgary's exquisite 100 Wines. The celebration will feature a complimentary wine tasting and tapas (tasty!), wine and literary pairings (fun!), a series of slam readings (entertainment!), book sales courtesy of Owl’s Nest (shopping!), and an opportunity to relax and socialize with friends. Many of the shortlisted authors will be available for signings. Award-nominated readers include Stephen Bown, Will Ferguson, Lori Hahnel and Lee Kvern among others.
Friday, April 30, 2010
100 Wines
1109 Olympic Way SE, Calgary
7PM
Free admission & open to the public
As a prelude to this year's Alberta Literary Awards Gala—come out and raise your glasses to the 2010 shortlisted authors at Calgary's exquisite 100 Wines. The celebration will feature a complimentary wine tasting and tapas (tasty!), wine and literary pairings (fun!), a series of slam readings (entertainment!), book sales courtesy of Owl’s Nest (shopping!), and an opportunity to relax and socialize with friends. Many of the shortlisted authors will be available for signings. Award-nominated readers include Stephen Bown, Will Ferguson, Lori Hahnel and Lee Kvern among others.
Stephen Bown's random author musings
I am an author of historical non-fiction. I am always working on a new book. I'll post interesting things I come across or interesting news about publicity for my current books.
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