The Borgia family dynasty begun in Spain, arrived in Italy through Church appointments and marriages, and stood to centralize power unifying the Five Powers of Italy between 1450-1575 during the Renaissance. Pope Cesare and Alexander, and their Princes, were among the cruelest and most venal men who have ever lived.

E.R. Chamberlin is a British historian who specializes in European Renaissance history. The author presents the story of murder, lies, hatred, and ruthless thirst for dissembling power which united a fractious Italy, while picturing life in Italy itself. Significantly with figures so monstrous, he also peels off some of the fantasies and myths about Alexander, Lucrezia, and Cesare Borgia.

The book closes with an account of often-disputed and apparently suicidal death by combat which ended Cesare's life, and the initial burial and subsequent disinterment and effacement of his remains. Lucrezia died in 1518 in childbirth shortly before her 40th year. Many of her lovers and relations were already drifting into legend, with her, as she died. To his horror, she begged for Pope Leo X's blessing before she bled out in her bed. ( )