The book is a fictional description of the life of Giulio Mazarini (Jules Mazarin as he is known in France and the English-speaking world), an Italian who lived in the 17th Century and had an amazing fate. He began his career as servant-companion of a young Italian noble and ended it as a ruler of France. This book is the first in a series consisting of four volumes: In the service of Constable Colonna, His Holiness' diplomat, Richelieu's admirer, and Ruler of France. The book is for anyone who likes adventure in a historical setting, from young adults to a mature audience. Readers may be attracted by the struggle of characters, possible rationale of famous historical personalities' actions, description of seventeenth century Europe, diplomatic battles not dissimilar to our present day clashes, the tenacity, optimism, and knowledge of human nature of the protagonist who rises to the very top against all odds. Apparently no fiction books totally devoted to Mazarini's life and adventures exist. As a character Mazarini appears in Alexander Dumas' "Twenty Years Later" where he is not the main personage and is mostly treated with sarcasm (a tribute to the common prejudice of that time).