Before the reader is the story of an Italian family of the 15th century, the Sforza dynasty. The Sforza were the epitome of Niccolò Machiavelli's ideal - fine warriors, deft schemers, they achieved their goal at all costs, not stopping to kill their friends or rivals. Against the background of Italy, forever torn by strife, where the great cultural movement of the Renaissance was born, L. Collinson-Morley talks about an incredibly successful family, whose representatives have gone from simple mercenary warriors, condottieres, to the sovereign rulers of the glorious city of Milan.