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The Courtier: Il Cortegiano Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 180 ratings
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The Book of the Courtier remains the definitive account of Renaissance court life. Because of this, it is considered one of the most important Renaissance works.

The book is organized as a series of fictional conversations that occur between the courtiers of the Duke of Urbino in 1507 (when Baldassare was in fact part of the Duke's Court). In the book, the courtier is described as having a cool mind, a good voice (with beautiful, elegant and brave words) along with proper bearing and gestures. At the same time though, the courtier is expected to have a warrior spirit, to be athletic, and have good knowledge of the humanities, Classics and fine arts. Over the course of four evenings, members of the court try to describe the perfect gentleman of the court. In the process they debate the nature of nobility, humor, women, and love.

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  1. Listening Length
    12 hours and 5 minutes
  2. Author
    Baldassare Castiglione
  3. Narrator
    Peter Batchelor
  4. Audible release date
    June 20, 2011
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Trout Lake Media
  7. ASIN
    B0057263AC
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 12 hours and 5 minutes
Author Baldassare Castiglione
Narrator Peter Batchelor
Audible.com Release Date June 20, 2011
Publisher Trout Lake Media
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0057263AC
Best Sellers Rank #205,950 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1,468 in World History (Audible Books & Originals)
#5,064 in Classic Literature
#14,205 in Historical Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
180 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book an enjoyable and engaging read that provides valuable life lessons. They appreciate its positive influence on developing well-rounded qualities and acquiring a refined appreciation of art. Readers praise the translation quality as good and the work as a classic primary text worth reading for history enthusiasts.

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ReadabilityInfluenceTranslation quality
9 customers mention "Readability"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and well-transcribed to Kindle format. They enjoy the story and footnotes, though some find the formatting difficult to read.

"...Well done. I wish I could give it more than five stars." Read more

"...Great read. Another excellent book that gets into the mind of late medieval thinkers is "The Art of Worldly Wisdom" by Baltasar Gracian." Read more

"...The extensive foot notes are nearly as enjoyable as the book. A fun read that was well transcribed to the Kindle format." Read more

"Great book. The audio book however that is connected with this one is not the same." Read more

7 customers mention "Influence"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book motivating and inspiring. They say it provides an interesting insight into norms and practices in music, culture, politics, humanities, life. Readers mention it gives a different and interesting insight into how to form one's behavior, thoughts, and outfit in the world. It is worth remembering for students of history, languages, music, and culture.

"..."Discretion and decorum, nonchalance and gracefulness," are the qualities of the complete and perfect courtier as described by Castiglione in a..." Read more

"I enjoy reading history, and this book gives a different and very interesting insight into the norms and practices of 600 years ago..." Read more

"...This was a common style for non-fiction, from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century, but does feel a little odd to many modern..." Read more

"...of excellencies described herein, this text motivates and inspires the average to good, the good to better, and the better to best...." Read more

6 customers mention "Translation quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the translation quality. They say it's a good translation of an important work, well-written, and a classic primary text. The narration flows smoothly and is appropriate.

"...than Machiavelli's "The Prince" and has the added benefit of beautiful prose. Well done. I wish I could give it more than five stars." Read more

"...A fun read that was well transcribed to the Kindle format." Read more

"...book, the nemesis of Machiavelli’s “the Prince”, and the translation is really good. The printing quality though, I expected to be better." Read more

"This is a good translation of an important work...." Read more

Poor print quality
2 out of 5 stars
Poor print quality
Definitely doesn't feel worth the $30 price for hard cover, Text doesn't fill page, and looks like very bad photo copy, the cover itself feels nice and has an okay graphic but print quality just doesn't work, some text has marking over it or the ink is so bold the letters just look like blobs.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • J. Hauck (Guerrilla Reader)
    5.0 out of 5 stars References Timeless Qualities as Relevant and Useful Today than Ever
    Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Review of "The Book of the Courtier" by Baldesar Castiglione and translated by George Bull. Baldesar Castiglione was born in 1478, a member of an ancient aristocratic family. He received a thorough humanistic education, while acquiring a refined appreciation of art. He was essentially a courtier. He entered the service of the Duke of Urbino who entrusted him with important missions and in his leisure time participated in the literary and intellectual activities of the Court. After the death of the Duke he remained in the service of the new one and became the resident ambassador in Rome. He was deprived of a job when the Duke was expulsed. He then lived on his estates in Mantua. 1519 he returned to Rome and the Mantuan Ambassador and after further activities from his Mantuan Masters entered Papal service in 1524. From that date until his death in 1592 he was Papal Nuncio in Spain. This book signifies his major work. "Discretion and decorum, nonchalance and gracefulness," are the qualities of the complete and perfect courtier as described by Castiglione in a lively series of imaginary conversations between the real-life courtiers to the Duke of Urbino, where his speakers discuss qualities of noble behavior as well as wider questions such as the duties of a good government and the true nature of love. For example on page 130: "So let the courtier be eloquent when it suits his purpose, and when discussing affairs of state, prudent and wise; and let him be judicious enough to know how to adapt himself to the customs of the people he may be living among. Then in lesser matters let him be entertaining, and in everything sensible. But above all else he should always hold to what is good; he should be neither envious nor slanderous, and he should never seek to gain grace or favour through wicked methods or by dishonest means." This book has as much if not more useful maxims than Machiavelli's "The Prince" and has the added benefit of beautiful prose. Well done. I wish I could give it more than five stars.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Doug
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoy reading history, and this book gives a different and very interesting insight into the norms and practices of 600 years ago (at least of the "nobler" class). What I appreciated the most was relating "yesterday's" social and societal practices to today's. In so many ways, we can see ourselves in these would-be practitioners of the "code". And in many ways, we feel the loss of a certain gentility that was expressed in this book. Great read. Another excellent book that gets into the mind of late medieval thinkers is "The Art of Worldly Wisdom" by Baltasar Gracian.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • NORBVR
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2012
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    This is a delightful way to spend a relaxing, rainy day. Just picture people breathlessly awaiting an evening of conversation about - people like themselves! Good breeding and good behavior never goes out of style; this book recognizes how important a role that played in their day to day life in the court of royals. The extensive foot notes are nearly as enjoyable as the book. A fun read that was well transcribed to the Kindle format.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Edward M. Van Court
    5.0 out of 5 stars A contemporary guide to behavior in the halls of power
    Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2008
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    Well, contemporary for Niccolo Machiavelli. But this book has enduring relevance for anyone who has to spend time among those courting the politically powerful. It would be easy to dismiss this as without current relevance, but that would be a clear indication of either naiveté about political life or intellectual laziness (or both). The book is formatted as a series of fictional or fictionalized discussions among the influential. This was a common style for non-fiction, from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century, but does feel a little odd to many modern readers.

    Over the course of several evenings, the topic is "What makes the perfect courtier?" That is to say, the perfect flunky in the company of the politically powerful. Many attributes an behaviors are discussed as appropriate for a courtier, and two things jumped out at me. First, that this could be a textbook for a political intern or a climber in the business world. Second, how shallow the desired traits were. Social graces, from a good family, a good dancer, a good athlete, but never a skilled planner, a thoughtful or reflective nature, and definitely not someone who will tell the boss the ugly news. There is also great deal of discussion of how to backstab with grace and style.

    Reading this was something of a secret and dirty pleasure; the conformation that so little in human behavior has changed in five centuries, the underhanded social techniques, the unbridled ambition of the players.

    If you are headed for an entry level position in the political arena, read this, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.

    E. M. Van Court
    19 people found this helpful
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  • Percevale
    5.0 out of 5 stars A guidebook to the art of being a gentleman
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    While the less memory gifted among us might find the coterie of individuals engaged in conversation throughout the book confusing, the Book of the Courtier does well as a handbook of sorts for aspiring gentleman.

    It goes beyond the Ps and Qs, it's a way of life and a method of being. It espouses Sprezzatura, an art which proposes that as men, we should conceal our gifts and abilities with practiced nonchalance- I would go so far as the call it the "casually" bedswept hair of the renaissance era.

    The book tends to overindulge and flesh out each of the characters involved, but you find the meat of the text in really arguments that form and create the perfect courtier- that of man comfortable amongst kings and princes, while respectful to those "beneath his class" (ironic I know).

    If you are interested in being above office politics, this might be the best book for you to "play the game" yet remain above it.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Moe
    3.0 out of 5 stars Audiobook is not same as the book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023
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    Great book. The audio book however that is connected with this one is not the same.
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  • Robert
    5.0 out of 5 stars History with a sense of fun
    Reviewed in Australia on May 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The humour in this book is absolutely brilliant and will be a treat for those of you with an appreciation for dry and sarcastic wit. Very detailed and vivid presentation of characters, time period. It's an immersive story that acts as a fun escape from modern life.
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  • Roger Eastaughffe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great novel, I liked the part where the dragons ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Great novel, I liked the part where the dragons came and the courtier had to slay them. Personally, I was recommend this book by a "friend" as an introduction to modern manners. I am not sure how often I will use the techniques for dragon slaying in my personal life, but at least I know that if the situation ever arises, I will be able to deal with it politely!
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  • S. Prasad
    3.0 out of 5 stars Slow burn read
    Reviewed in India on August 31, 2016
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    The book of courtier is a slow burn read. At times the text is so dry that the characters keep repeating themselves on the most pointless topics. Nevertheless, this book deserves attention as it raises some pertinent issues that are relevant even today. Don't look to finish it in haste -- this book needs to be read in a leisurely manner.
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  • Grossvater
    5.0 out of 5 stars 専門書中の専門書
    Reviewed in Japan on May 6, 2013
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    本書はルネッサンス期イタリア宮廷における紳士淑女の礼儀作法を記したもので、以後ヨーロッパ諸国の宮廷に大きな影響を及ぼした。本書はその英訳である。
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  • J S Proctor
    5.0 out of 5 stars recommended classic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 23, 2013
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    Part of my missed clasical education, as afoil to the Prince. I wish I had known it when I was young Manager
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