Statecraft

Military leader Carafa's (1642-93) nephew and heir commissioned his old teacher and friend Vico (1668-1744) to write a biography of his uncle, and provided him with all the documents and correspondence available. Carafa had major responsibilities in the war between the Hapsburg and the Turks, and his biography tells of the princes, potentates, mighty personages, and machinations of the two political and religious superpowers of the 18th century. Pinton, an American scholar of philosophy and theology who has translated three other works by Vico, offers evidence that challenges Carafa's widespread reputation as the Butcher of Eperjes. Annotation : 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).