Samuel Shellabarger (1888–1954)
Author of Prince of Foxes
About the Author
Disambiguation Notice:
Samuel Shellabarger wrote mysteries using the pseudonym John Esteven.
Image credit: Courtesy of the NYPL Digital Gallery (image use requires permission from the New York Public Library
Works by Samuel Shellabarger
Il capitano di Castiglia 1 copy
Captain from Castile, vol 2 1 copy
Captain from Castile vol 1 1 copy
Fåfängans karneval. 1 1 copy
Fåfängans karneval 1 copy
Bag Maske og Visir - bind 1 1 copy
Bag Maske og Visir, bind 2 1 copy
Sois un homme, mon fils... 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Shellabarger, Samuel
- Other names
- Esteven, John (pen name)
Loring, Peter (pen name) - Birthdate
- 1888-05-18
- Date of death
- 1954-03-21
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Princeton University
Harvard University
University of Munich - Occupations
- professor
historical novelist
mystery writer
headmaster
magazine writer - Organizations
- Columbus School for Girls (headmaster)
- Short biography
- Samuel Shellabarger was an American academic and author of both scholarly works and best-selling novels. He was a skillful linguist who spoke and wrote French, German, Swedish, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish, and was knowledgeable in Greek and Latin. He originally used pen names for his fiction, while continuing to write scholarly works and teach under his real name. But his meticulously researched historical novels, which he began publishing in the 1940s, proved so popular that he started putting his own name on them. Shellabarger has been compared to Alexandre Dumas for his rapid narrative style, highly developed characters, and vivid, colorful depictions of the past. Some of his books were made into classic films.
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Washington, D.C., USA
- Places of residence
- Washington, D.C., USA
Princeton, New Jersey, USA - Place of death
- Princeton, New Jersey, USA
- Disambiguation notice
- Samuel Shellabarger wrote mysteries using the pseudonym John Esteven.
- Associated Place (for map)
- New Jersey, USA
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Reviews
This is my favorite ‘cloak-and-sword’ book, in the spirit of Zorro and the Three Musketeers. The story is set in Renaissance Italy and concerns young and handsome Andrea Orsini, captain in the service of the evil and powerful Cesare Borgia. Borgia intends to advance on the independent cities of Italy in the spring and unite Italy under his banner. One particular city stands in his way, and because of its location, would be a difficult and expensive object to take by force of arms. Borgia show more assigns the ambitious and talented Andrea Orsini to present himself to the Duke of the city and ingratiate himself there, and then arrange for the removal of the aged Duke by the spring advance. If he succeeds, Borgia has promised Orsini the city and the beautiful young wife of the old Duke for himself. show less
This swashbuckling novel shows us the Borgias through the eyes of those who served them, living in their shadow and carrying out their orders in the hope of lands and favour in return. Set in the years immediately around 1500, it focuses on a fictional character who is nevertheless so engaging and plausible that he could very well have been real (yes, a comparison with Lymond is unavoidable). While the key people and place are fictional, however, Shellabarger knows his Renaissance well, and show more the book is rich with Machiavellian realpolitik: ambition, half-truths, bluffs and double-bluffs. Alongside that there are the familiar motifs of the adventure novel, which in this case are much more subtle and successful than usual. We have daring disguises, secret identities and hair’s-breadth escapes, with a soupcon of romance: not the saccharine kind, but one involving two people of such charm and charisma that you genuinely believe they’d be drawn together. The whole thing feels like the kind of escapade that Sabatini might have dreamed up over a bottle of Barolo with Baldassare Castiglione. I will be coming back to it again; and again...
For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2014/01/09/prince-of-foxes-samuel-shellabarger/ show less
For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2014/01/09/prince-of-foxes-samuel-shellabarger/ show less
An entertaining, light summer read. Set in the 15th/16th centuries era - it occurs in Italy and involves the Borgias, their minions and their enemies - the chief protagonist and, at least initially, Cesare Borgia's henchman, is one Andrea Orsini - who is actually a peasant named Zoppo - possessed of artistic ability and a smooth self-confidence that allows him to engage with noblemen, artisans and the ladies - ultimately it is an old fashioned love story, sprinkled with violence, concerning show more Orsini and the virginal wife of an aging aristocrat (apparently too old to consummate the marriage) - Orsini's accomplice, one Mario Belli, is an entertaining add-on to the story line who brings intrigue and danger to the matter. (Shellabarger's book "Captain from Castile" is similar and somewhat better, but I enjoyed them both.) show less
Step into the renaissance with crafty statesman Andrea Orsini as he navigates this time of extreme beauty and depravity.
Andrea Orsini begins as an agent of the infamous intriguer Cesare Borgia, but as time goes on he sees that there is perhaps more to life than cynicism and self advancement. The morale of this tale is a true highlight. The message of lust, greed, and glory paling in comparison to what is simple, humble, and good is timeless. It’s an uplifting story as it reminds the reader show more that no matter the time period we can all do good and move beyond the petty worldly motives that surround us.
It is noted that there are some Christian overtones, even including a Saint of the period as a side character. However, I believe the religious elements were included to capture the period rather than to influence anyone. This redemptive story can be enjoyed regardless of religion.
Even with its important themes it still remains rooted in the adventure genre. There are daring escapes, duels, sieges, and a healthy dose of romance. The plot will satisfy anyone who enjoys historical adventure, but there wasn’t anything that really sparked my excitement or made me turn the pages all night. Still, our hero favors brain to brawn, and it’s amusing to see him cleverly avoid the dangers that surround him. He definitely earns his title of “Prince of Foxes”
A tale written in the style of Sabatini and Dumas, but it doesn’t quite have their level of quality. There wasn’t anything in the plot that particularly gripped me but the beautiful messaging makes this a good read! Before I read this the only familiarity I had with the Borges is when Orson Welles name dropped them in The Third Man, so I learned quite a lot! show less
Andrea Orsini begins as an agent of the infamous intriguer Cesare Borgia, but as time goes on he sees that there is perhaps more to life than cynicism and self advancement. The morale of this tale is a true highlight. The message of lust, greed, and glory paling in comparison to what is simple, humble, and good is timeless. It’s an uplifting story as it reminds the reader show more that no matter the time period we can all do good and move beyond the petty worldly motives that surround us.
It is noted that there are some Christian overtones, even including a Saint of the period as a side character. However, I believe the religious elements were included to capture the period rather than to influence anyone. This redemptive story can be enjoyed regardless of religion.
Even with its important themes it still remains rooted in the adventure genre. There are daring escapes, duels, sieges, and a healthy dose of romance. The plot will satisfy anyone who enjoys historical adventure, but there wasn’t anything that really sparked my excitement or made me turn the pages all night. Still, our hero favors brain to brawn, and it’s amusing to see him cleverly avoid the dangers that surround him. He definitely earns his title of “Prince of Foxes”
A tale written in the style of Sabatini and Dumas, but it doesn’t quite have their level of quality. There wasn’t anything in the plot that particularly gripped me but the beautiful messaging makes this a good read! Before I read this the only familiarity I had with the Borges is when Orson Welles name dropped them in The Third Man, so I learned quite a lot! show less
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- Works
- 31
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- Rating
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