Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Book Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

Today's Giveaway will be on THE LIFE AND LEGEND OF LUCREZIA BORGIA

MY REVIEW
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.
Excellent!

Matthew Scarsbrook is GIVING AWAY 1 e-book of The Life and Legend of Lucrezia Borgia to one of my lucky followers!!! Thank you Matthew:)

To Enter:
1) You must be a follower of this blog.
2) For extra chances please post on your sidebar, Twitter and FB.
3) Extra chance for also commenting on Interview Post Here

Thanks for entering. Winner will be announced on May 16th!

Note: Remember to stop by again this week for the review of: Poison in the Blood (Scarsbrook latest book!!)- and GIVEAWAY:)


18 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like a fascinating book. Looking forward to it. Please enter my name. I am a follower. Donna
http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

Mystica said...

Sounds good - anything on the Borgias is intriguing.

I follow you on GFC

I have commented on the interview.

mystica123athotmaildotcom

brokenteepee said...

My nook would be soooo happy.
I follow
I commented on your review
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pattyleonardwoodland/posts/208959475801731

Thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I love reading and learning about the Borgia family. I posted the giveaway on my sidebar herehttp://themusingsofabookjunkie.blogspot.com/
I also commented on the author interview post. And of course I follow you!
Thanks!
allisonmharper@hotmail.com

BurtonReview said...

Wowza, looks like a treasure trove of information on Lucrezia, a one stop shop!
Please etner me.. I am a follower/devotee and I commented on your interview yesterday.
Thanks for the fabulous giveaway!

Amy said...

Love those Borgias! I am devouring anything I can read about them. Please enter me in this super giveaway! I am a longtime follower and I commented on the interview yesterday.

Thanks!
Amy
tiger_fan_1997 AT yahoo DOT com

Colleen Turner said...

I have just started reading about the Borgias relatively recently and they are simply fascinating! I would love a chance to win this! I am a follower (Colleen Turner).
Thanks!
candc320@gmail.com

Kate the Book Buff said...

sounds awesome, I am loving the upswing in Borgia related stuff :)

I'd love to win the book, I'm a follower :) k8thebookbuff @ yahoo . com

Colleen Turner said...

I commented on yesterday's interview post :).
candc320@gmail.com

Joni said...

This sounds like a fascinating book I would like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway. Thanks.

Curling up by the Fire said...

I love reading about the Borgias and would enjoy the chance to read more about them.

icewoman96 at gmail dot com

4everQueen said...

I loved your enthusiastic post about Matthew's Lucrezia! Please count me in for the giveaway.
+1 Im a follower
+1 and have posted my comment on your Interview Post. Thanks!

~Bella
Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom

Teddy Rose said...

I am a follower of your wonderful blog and would love to win this book.

teddyr66 at yahoo dot com

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/?status=Green%20Works%20Review%20%26%20Giveaway%20%28Can%29%3A%20http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FhABJyt%20via%20%40addthis#!/teddyrose1/status/68187205469880320

I posted to Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=119296798153494&id=100001634227838

I commented on the interview.

Melisende said...

Would love to be entered (finally something open to all of us not in the UK and US!). Follower via Google & FB.

Good luck to all who enter.

Thanks to both for the wonderful comp!

mzmelisende at gmail dot com

PoCoKat said...

Thanks for the opportunity!

GFC follower

pocokat AT gmail DOT com

Roberta said...

All this lovely Borgia stuff is really making me want to order Showtime just so that I can get another fix...lol Great giveaway...thanks Matt and Lucy ;)

Rachel said...

I'm a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

BOOKWORM NATTIE said...

Would really love to read this book, I love Historical novels, great giveaway, thanks :)
nataliej0209@yahoo.ca