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Machiavelli is famous the world over, but who was he before he penned The Prince?It’s October 1502, and the powerful Cesare Borgia is preparing to invade the Florentine Republic. Niccolo Machiavelli, an official of the Republic, is sent to Borgia’s court to spy on him. 33 years old, he has a nice pen but he’s not famous. He cheats on his wife avidly, and he''s deeply in debt. He''s seen as trusted and useful, but he''s kept on the sidelines.A complex relationship slowly forms between Machiavelli and Borgia. The Duke needs someone to write his biography to respond to the many “slanders” circulating about him and he chooses Niccolo to do it. Machiavelli not only gains wider access to Borgia’s secrets, but also those of Dianora Mambelli, a young woman forced by the Borgias to stay by his side...Listening to the Duke’s reflections and discovering the hidden truths that Dianora reveals transforms Machiavelli and grants him the insight that will allow him to become a great writer. And, ultimately, put his own life at risk.The Prince, written years later, was published posthumously; thanks to it, the writer they all thought mediocre will prove to be a genius, and Cesare Borgia will survive forever—just as he wanted.