The Life Legend Of Lucrezia Borgia

by M.G. Scarsbrook

The most evil woman in history? A pawn of her powerful family? A skilled ruler and a generous patron of the arts? Once described as the 'greatest whore there ever was in Rome', Lucrezia Borgia has captivated historians and artists for centuries with wildly conflicting accounts of her character. This book gathers together all the crucial information needed for a study into Lucrezia's life, including a detailed timeline, a biographical profile, an extensive description of her life in Rome, and a discussion of the Borgia family's legendary connection to poison.

Optimized for navigation as an eBook, with a table of contents linked to every section, this book also features a broad collection of texts about Lucrezia Borgia and her notorious family.

INCLUDED INSIDE:
- Lucretia Borgia: According To Original Documents and Correspondence of Her Day by Ferdinand Gregorovius
- The Borgias by Alexander Dumas (from 'Celebrated Crimes')
- The Life of Cesare Borgia by Rafael Sabatini
- Lucrezia Borgia, libretto by Felice Romani for the Opera by Gaetano Donizetti (in Italian)
- Encyclopedia Britannica articles (11th edition) on Lucrezia Borgia and Cesare Borgia
- Love Letter From Pietro Bembo to Lucrezia Borgia

BONUS FEATURE:
- An exclusive excerpt of M. G. Scarsbrook's novel POISON IN THE BLOOD: THE MEMOIRS OF LUCREZIA BORGIA, an historical thriller featuring Lucrezia Borgia fighting to save her husband from assassination by her powerful family.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

Nook

First published February 3, 2011

About the author

M. G. Scarsbrook is the author of four novels and the editor of four literary collections. Since 2011 his books have sold more than 20,000 copies worldwide and been translated into five languages. English editions of his work are sold in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats at all major online bookstores. A member of the prestigious Crime Writers’ Association and the Society of Authors, he lives in the UK and is working as a manuscript editor while also writing his next novel.

To learn more, please visit:

https://thecwa.co.uk/find-an-author/s...

https://www.societyofauthors.org/writ...

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not a current piece of historical research. Much of the language is more formal and sounds stilted to the modern reader. And while the centuries have built an enormous catalogue of mythology and legend around the Borgias' illustrious misdeeds, very little attention is given to those stories. Likewise, because of the dearth of remaining artifacts and documents relating directly to Lucretia, the author directs much of his space towards characters surrounding the subject.

[Paul Burnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get the facts, and get them in order, pretty complete, and have a handy help to follow wonderful novels like those by Sara Poole (The Poisoner Series -- GREAT), Maryann Phillips, and Sarah Bower. A handy reference for keeping events and relationships organized in your mind.

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

For some reason, I always feel like the Borgia biographies are lacking. Not sure what I am expecting but it never feels like you really get to know any of them.

[Lucy Bertoldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This huge book is an all-inclusive historical fest on Lucrezia Borgia, her family and her life. This one-of-a-kind work begins by whetting our appetite with historical facts and complementary timeline. At over 600 pages, The Life and Legend of Lucrezia Borgia is a fantastic non-fiction collection of research and texts written in such an interesting, yet historically accurate style. This biography indulges the reader with enticing detailed information that encompasses both facts and mundane curiosities about the lady herself-a pure treat for any lover of history!

Also part of this book is a complete section on Lucrezia Borgia with original documents and correspondence from her days, which I was delighted to read. It includes letters and book extracts that detail her life. These are divided in sections that tell all on her father, mother, her first home, her education, her betrothals...everything until her death! One document I particularly loved was the love letter from Pietro Bembo dated: Venice October 18, 1503.

Another fantastic historical book found within this great compilation is Pere Dumas’ THE BORGIAS- a whole 16 chapters filled with more detailed info on this notorious family. There is also a note at the beginning of this particular book stressing the violence it contains. Dumas really does not ‘mince’ his words. He wrote the history as gruesome as it was.

And-For anyone obsessed with Cesare Borgia’s history, Raphael Sabatini writes: The Life of Cesare Borgia. This is a full history, which includes the criticisms and opinions of the author as well. This historical book contains four books in itself and is a most complete work of history that includes every treachery and betrayal committed by this man and his clan. It's also part of this grand book!

For the encyclopedic purists at heart, the author has also included 2 sections from Encyclopedia Britannica, volume 4 on Lucrezia Borgia and Cesare Borgia.

And what would all this history be if it were only facts without a bit of drama displayed for all to watch in a sensational play? So, to entertain as well as inform, this wonderful compilation of works also includes the play (melodrama) by Felice Romani: Lucrezia Borgia- first interpretation given in 1833, in Milan.

This book has it all! Historical Buffs will revel in this treasure of information. I highly recommend it- I now feel like a Borgia expert! (Oh dear...I do mean that in a positively scholarly way!)

Note: Throughout this book, you will also find excerpts from the author’s two other novels: Poison In the Blood, The Memoirs of Lucrezia Borgia (my Review and Giveaway this week as well!)- And- The Marlowe Conspiracy.

[Terri Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually more than one book a twofer if you will. Heavily documented, good maxim drawn from some conclusions that seem murky at best. Some good storytelling along the way.

[Bonnie Luckey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. What an interesting life!