Heretics and Heroes: How Renaissance Artists and Reformation Priests Created our World by Thomas Cahill (nonfiction)

Part of a series with a massive scope, this book deals with the end of the medieval period.  Sometimes nonfiction historical work with such a wide range can be dry and boring, as well as difficult to follow.  Cahill brings it all together with wit, and I'm just amazed at the breadth of his learning.

Niccolo Machiavelli - an Intellectual Biography by Corrado Vivanti (nonfiction)

Part of a veritable storm of books recently, this one focuses on Mach's thought.  The author transforms what might be a drier topic into an narrative full of interesting insight.

The Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople by Jonathan Phillips (nonfiction)

Wonderful book, ranging over a number of topics having to do with the crusade from logistics to religious motivations to war machines.  As the author points out, it isn't often that we have firsthand accounts from the losers in a conflict, and even from poor people.  Phillips makes great use of these. 

Fellini's Roma (DVD)

It's a wonderful movie for Rome lovers, sort of an autobiography for Fellini.  It doesn't have much of a plot or story but I enjoyed it.

Marbeck and the Double-Dealer and Marbeck and the King-in-Waiting by John Pilkington (historical mystery)

The first two books in a new series, plenty of fun twists and turns and an interesting hero. These books have lots of action.  In The Double-Dealer, I thought I knew the guilty party but was way off.  Pilkington doesn't let wordiness get in his way, so the action moves quickly while giving a real sense of the place and time.  Recommended for mystery and history lovers.