Really interesting bio on a woman who would have been cool to meet. Lev created an atmosphere of story in her writing that isn't seen much in historical biographies. That's a shame because it really worked here. She also excluded the "as professor Thaddeus McOvereducated stated in his book..." by citing her information in an extensive and well-organized index. I would happily read another of Lev's books. I have been reading about Michelangelo and Botticelli but while some of the most treasured works of art and literature were created during the renaissance there was intrigue, betrayal, savage wars, brutal torture and gruesome death were routine aspects of daily life. Elizabeth Lev writes about the Countess Caterina Sforza Riario de Medici called the Tigress of Forli. Lev writes in clear flowing prose drawing on contemporary sources preserved in state and municipal archives, much never before translated into English. The information is so dramatic and Lev writes so well it is hard to believe this is a history book not a book of historical fiction. Born in 1463 Caterina was the illegitimate child of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, heir to the Duchy of Milan. Her father raised her with his legitimate children and educated her same as his son’s including training to be a warrior. At the age of 10 she was married off to 30 year old Girolamo Riario the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV. As her husband’s health declined Caterina took over the governance of their dominion Forli and Imola. Her past time was spent in gardening mainly herbs where she experiment making medications and beauty creams. After her husband was assassinated she married Giacoma Feo and had a child. After he was murdered she married Giovanni de Medici and born him a son. Giovanni died of a fever. She had 7 children six of them boys, all of the children reached adulthood which was rare for that time. Her grandson was Cosimo de Medici, Grand Duck of Tuscan who is synonymous with the glory days of Florence. Her Fortress of Ravaldino was attacked by Venice they sent Machiavelli against her but she outwitted him. As her reputation grew throughout Italy the Riario Pope Sixtus IV died and a Borgia Pope Alexander VI took power. He sends his son Cesare Borgia at the head of a Papal army to conquer the Riario duchy. All of Europe watched as she with held off the might of the Papal army but alas no one came to her aid and the Fortress eventually fell to the Borgia. She was held in prison but eventually release to Florence. She took over her husband’s (G. de Medici) home and raised his son until her dead in 1509 of T.B. at age 46. I have only highlighted some of the key points of her life. Elizabeth Lev goes into great depth discussing Caterina’s life. Lev also points out the good as well as the bad of her life. I found Caterina to be a fascinating person, well educated for her day with a wide range of interests and a brilliant general of her army. If she would have been a man she would have been a hero and had a much easier life but as a woman she challenged the role assigned to her. I read this as an e-book on my kindle app for my Ipad.
What do You think about The Tigress Of Forli (2000)?
I'm now reading it for the third time. Love this book.
—momo
Extemely interesting book,good material for a film
—bookynook
