G. J. Meyer is the author of two popular works of history, "The Tudors" and "A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, " as well as "Executive Blues" and "The Memphis Murders." He received an M.A. from the University of Minnesota, where he was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and later was awarded Harvard University's Nieman Fellowship in Journalism. He has taught at colleges in Des Moines, St. Louis, and New York, and now lives in Wiltshire, England.
"A vivid and at times startling reappraisal of one of the most
notorious dynasties in history . . . If you thought you knew the
Borgias, this book will surprise you."--Tracy Borman, author of
"Queen of the Conqueror "and" Elizabeth's Women"
""The Borgias" is a fascinating look into the lives of the
notorious Italian Renaissance family and its reputation for
womanizing, murder and corruption. Meyer turns centuries of
accepted wisdom about the Borgias on its head, probing deep into
contemporary documents and neglected histories to reveal some
surprising truths. . . . "The Borgias: The Hidden History" is a
gripping history of a tempestuous time and an infamous
family."--"Shelf Awareness"
"Meyer brings his considerable skills to another infamous
Renaissance family, the Borgias [and] a fresh look into the
machinations of power in Renaissance Italy. . . . [He] makes a
convincing case that the Borgias have been given a raw
deal."--"Historical Novels Review"
"The mention of the Borgia family often conjures up images of a
ruthless drive for power via assassination, serpentine plots, and
sexual debauchery. This is partially owing to propaganda spread by
contemporary rivals of the Borgias, nineteenth-century Renaissance
historians, and even films and television shows. . . . [Meyer]
convincingly looks past the mythology to present a more nuanced
portrait of some members and their achievements. . . . [The]
Borgias are treated with . . . evenhandedness in this
well-researched and surprising study."--"Booklist"
" "
"Many accounts of the Borgias focus on the most scandalous stories
about this powerful Italian Renaissance family. . . . Meyer argues
that many of these salacious tales are untrue and the result of
slander. Through a logical and thoughtful examination of sources .
. . he shows that claims of corruption, poisoning, incest, and
murder are untrue or greatly exaggerated."--"Library Journal"
"The lively narrative makes a familiar but still incredibly
complicated historical period easier to get a handle
on.""--Waterloo Region Record"
"A vivid and at times startling reppraisal of one of the most
notorious dynasties in history . . . If you thought you knew the
Borgias, this book will surprise you."--Tracy Borman, authro of
"Queen of the Conqueror "and" Elizabeth's Women"
""The Borgias" is a fascinating look into the lives of the
notorious Italian Renaissance family and its reputation for
womanizing, murder and corruption. Meyer turns centuries of
accepted wisdom about the Borgias on its head, probing deep into
contemporary documents and neglected histories to reveal some
surprising truths. . . . "The Borgias" is a gripping history of a
tempestuous time and an infamous family."--Shelf Awareness
"The mention of the Borgia family often conjures up images of a
ruthless drive for power via assassination, serpentine plots, and
sexual debauchery. This is partially owing to propaganda spread by
contemporary rivals of the Borgias, nineteenth-century Renaissance
historians, and even films and television shows. . . . [Meyer]
convincingly looks past the mythology to present a more nuanced
portrait of some members and their achievements. . . . [The]
Borgias are treated with . . . evenhandedness in this
well-researched and surprising study."--"Booklist"
" "
"Many accounts of the Borgias focus on the most scandalous stories
about this powerful Italian Renaissance family. . . . [Meyer]
argues that many of these salacious tales are untrue and the result
of slander. Through a logical and thoughtful examination of sources
. . . he shows that claims of corruption, poisoning, incest, and
murder are untrue or greatly exaggerated."--"Library Journal"
Praise for G. J. Meyer's "The Tudors"
"Energetic and comprehensive . . . [a] sweeping history of the
gloriously infamous Tudor era . . . Unlike the somewhat ponderous
British biographies of the Henrys, Elizabeths and Boleyns that seem
to pop up perennially, " The Borgias" displays some flashy, fresh
irreverence [and cuts] to the quick of the action."--"Kirkus
Reviews"
" "
"[A] cheeky, nuanced, and authoritative perspective . . . brims
with enriching background discussions."--"Publishers Weekly"
(starred review)
"Both serious students of sixteenth-century England and those with
a passing interest in the period will find "The Tudors" by G. J.
Meyer a comprehensive look at that momentous span of history. . . .
The book is also a refreshing reality-check grounded in fact after
the entertaining fictions of the recent past.""--Seattle
Post-Intelligencer"
"A thoroughly readable and often compelling narrative."--Associated
Press
"A rich and vibrant tapestry."--"The Star-Ledger"
Meyer (The Tudors) here turns his attention to the notorious Renaissance family. He claims that the villainous reputation of the Borgias has little basis in fact and sprang from contemporary and later stories intended to sully the name of a powerful clan. Rising from the Spanish nobility, the Borgias produced popes Calixtus and Alexander, Alexander's ambitious son Cesare, and infamous daughter Lucrezia. Alexander proved particularly ruthless in promoting his family's interests but no more so than the warlords and heads of city-states who dominated 15th- and 16th-century Italy. Meyer also states that the claims that the family practiced incest are groundless. Reader Enn Reitel does an excellent job telling the story. Verdict Listeners with an interest in history will enjoy this expansive and engaging work. ["Best for general readers new to the Borgias and Italian Renaissance history, while those already knowledgeable about the Borgias may take a pass," read the review of the Bantam hc, LJ 2/15/13.-Ed.]-Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Parkersburg Lib. (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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