Here is the world's most famous master plan for seizing and holding power. Astonishing in its candor The Prince even today remains a disturbingly realistic and prophetic work on what it takes to be a prince . . . a king . . . a president. When, in 1512, Machiavelli was removed from his post in his beloved Florence, he resolved to set down a treatise on leadership that was practical, not idealistic. In The Prince he envisioned would be unencumbered by ordinary ethical and moral values; his prince would be man and beast, fox and lion. Today, this small sixteenth-century masterpiece has become essential reading for every student of government, and is the ultimate book on power politics.
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When Lorenzo de' Medici seized control of the Florentine Republic in 1512, he summarily fired the Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Signoria and set in motion a fundamental change in the way we think about politics. The person who held the aforementioned office with the tongue-twisting title was none other than Niccolò Machiavelli, who, suddenly finding himself out of a job after 14 years of patriotic service, followed the career trajectory of many modern politicians into punditry. Unable to become an on-air political analyst for a television network, he only wrote a book. But what a book The Prince is. Its essential contribution to modern political thought lies in Machiavelli's assertion of the then revolutionary idea that theological and moral imperatives have no place in the political arena. "It must be understood," Machiavelli avers, "that a prince ... cannot observe all of those virtues for which men are reputed good, because it is often necessary to act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion, in order to preserve the state." With just a little imagination, readers can discern parallels between a 16th-century principality and a 20th-century presidency. --Tim Hogan
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“[Machiavelli] can still engage our attention with remarkable immediacy, and this cannot be explained solely by the appeal of his ironic observations on human behaviour. Perhaps the most important thing is the way he can compel us to reflect on our own priorities and the reasoning behind them; it is this intrusion into our own defenses that makes reading him an intriguing experience. As a scientific exponent of the political art Machiavelli may have had few followers; it is as a provocative rhetorician that he has had his real impact on history.” –from the Introduction by Dominic Baker-Smith
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Most helpful customer reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The Prince is truly a legendary masterpiece. More than a book on political theories, it covers topics such as human nature, influence, leadership, trickery, psychology, philosophy, etc. However, it is mostly the latter chapters that are interesting and deal with these subjects. The first half or so is not that interesting of a read. So I would advise that you just skip over the first forteen or so chapters at first, and then read them later if you want.
Also, there is a fantastic summary and overview of The Prince in the book A Collection of Wisdom by Rodney Ohebsion that I highly recommend. In ten pages or so, it gives you really the essence of The Prince that is applicable to people in their lives.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Patrick Sullivan
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was not what I expected at all. I always thought this book was only about stab in the back politics.
Machiavelli is tremendous observer of human nature. He understands human nature on a individual level, and on the larger scale of an entire society. He explains how an individual will react to certain situations, and how the group at large will react. His conclusions are timeless.
Machiavelli also draws many conclusions from the lessons of history. He recommends that leaders study history.
He also has valuable lessons in regards to the various types of governments. He points out the positive and negative aspects of democracies, aristocracies, and dictatorships. Once again his conclusions are timeless.
Machiavelli is tremendous observer of human nature. He understands human nature on a individual level, and on the larger scale of an entire society. He explains how an individual will react to certain situations, and how the group at large will react. His conclusions are timeless.
Machiavelli also draws many conclusions from the lessons of history. He recommends that leaders study history.
He also has valuable lessons in regards to the various types of governments. He points out the positive and negative aspects of democracies, aristocracies, and dictatorships. Once again his conclusions are timeless.
By Mark Hanson
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I had to read this book for my AP European History class, and I thought that this book was great... for putting you to sleep. I was additiced to Nytol, but I kick the habit with this book. Yes, there are some very good ideas that this book talks about: war, leadership, backstabbing, etc. What you should know is once you start reading this book, you will find tha language very hard to understank, and if you did bad on the SAT, your in tough luck. Good luck to those who will try to read "The Beast."
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4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling ... Especially for Despots
Perhaps it is fair to call Nicollo Machiavelli a teacher of the tyrants. After all, this early sixteenth century book has long served as a reference guide to the likes of Hitler... Read more
Published on May 8 2005 by Alexander Uhi
4.0 out of 5 stars
An important and interesting work of political philosophy.
The term "Machiavellian" is frequently used to describe ruthlessness and brutality in a leader, and most people who have read about Machiavelli but have not actually read... Read more
Published on July 9 2004 by Monika
3.0 out of 5 stars
From the viewpoint of a high school Sophmore...
Being as though it's on our school's required reading list, we have to buy a copy and read it.
I would have no problem if the book wasn't so boring. Read more
Published on July 8 2004
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good guide to Politics and Leadership
I've never read any book related to politics in my whole life, and I found out by one of my World History teachers, that this book is a good way to get into politics and learn to... Read more
Published on Jun 2 2004 by David Orozco
4.0 out of 5 stars
Machiavelli-Still Today giving us knowledge...
Machiavelli's The Prince is undoubted one of the books that gives historical evidence of past governments. Read more
Published on Feb 21 2004 by "lud20"
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Prince
Machiavelli was the Plato for Italy in the early sixteenth century. He is an author who in my opinion, should be studied by all who are interested in politics, government, and... Read more
Published on Feb 21 2004 by Katie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Incomplete for an adult, but good reading for a ninth grader
Sometimes it is strange to think how far common knowledge has advanced over the past several hundred years. DaVinci was truly revolutionary during the Renaissance. Read more
Published on Jan 10 2004 by A. M. Rosencrants
5.0 out of 5 stars
divide et impera
"The Prince" is certainly one of the ten most influential books of all times, due to the practical character of the advices its author organically lists in this... Read more
Published on Dec 29 2003 by Roberto P. De Ferraz
2.0 out of 5 stars
I've read worse books for class...
This book is more or less a sort of handbook that Machiavelli wrote for future rulers. In it, he breaks down different styles of ruling, different military defenses, and many other... Read more
Published on Dec 23 2003 by Victory Silvers
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Prince
What makes the prince a classics is that if one substitutes competing businesses for rival empires and subordinate employees for faithful troops and soldiers it still remains... Read more
Published on Dec 13 2003 by Amazon Customer
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