There is perhaps no other event of the Renaissance that most resembles a scene directly out of the Godfather movies than does the Pazzi Conspiracy! The plan to assassinate the brothers Medici – Lorenzo il Magnifico and Giuliano – had the blessing of the Pope and the military backing of the Duke of Urbino. Lauro Martines’ masterful retelling of the sensational tale of treachery, family betrayal, and murder brings late 15th-century Florence back to life in a way that only the writing of great Renaissance historian could.