The Family:Fifteenth-century Rome & the Story of the Greatest Crime Family in Italian History

The Family: Fifteenth-century Rome & the Story of the Greatest  Crime Family in Italian History - The Borgias,  1492-1559  by Mario Puzo, completed By Carol GIno   464 pages

Corruption, greed and sin are usually described as the things the Church is supposed to be against however during the Italian Renaissance, with a Borgia firmly planted in the position of Pope add a couple more words to that list,poison and murder and you have the reign of the Borgia family.    While it was known the clergy kept their mistresses and illegitimate children near but out of the limelight, the Borgias saw no need to keep their dirty laundry under wraps and the Pope kept his family and successive courtesans in the Vatican with him so that he could better control the family and the family finances.    Very good story well told.   Truth really is stranger than fiction.   I recommend this book to all who are students of church history and who can handle some harsh truths.   Well written.  It will keep you interested cover to cover.

 - Shirley J.