Caesar Borgia: A Study of the Renaissance

"Caesar Borgia: A Study of the Renaissance" by John Leslie Garner is a historical exploration of a controversial figure during the Italian Renaissance. The book explores the life of Caesar Borgia, portraying him as both a man and a symbol of his time, amidst the political turmoil of 15th-century Italy. Garner sets the stage by describing the corruption and moral decline within the papacy, which fueled battles between city-states and noble families. Borgia, as Pope Alexander VI's son, navigated this world of treachery, embodying the ambition and ruthlessness of the era; the writing suggests that Borgia's infamous legacy is a reflection of the violent society in which he thrived.