From the Back Cover
Maugham found a parallel to the turmoil of our own century in the duplicity, intrigue and sensuality of the Italian Renaissance. Then and Now enters the world of Machiavelli, and covers three important months in the career of that crafty politician, worldly seducer and high priest of schemers.
'A historical novel and a first-class example of brilliant dialogue-writing...In plain economic modern English it draws a picture of Renaissance politics as cleanly edged as the neat figures and landscapes in an Italian picture...It is all as exciting as any gangster story of modern politics, and parallel with it runs a counter-plot as good as any tale of gallantry from Bocaccio' Spectator
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.