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The biography I have been waiting for
What a pleasure to have this new biography of Machiavelli. Until now my favorite was Vilari's, which is more than one hundred years old. I took a month to read Capponi's only because I was deliberately savoring it and didn't want it to end. His writing is clear and entertaining. Too often when dealing with Macchiavelli authors descend into impenetrable, overly erudite prose. Capponi brings him to life as a person. Capponi is a descendant (I don't quite know how) of Machiavelli and a member of the very old and influential Florentine Capponi family. I think only a Florentine and a member of its ruling class could really understand and appreciate Machiavelli so well. I would suggest that anyone new to Machiavelli, or one trying to understand his political thought, should read this biography first so they can put his controversial writings into the proper perspective. A superb job. It made my summer. ... Read more

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Makaveli
"a prince who wishes to achieve great things must learn to decieve" ... Read more

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Diplomat, bureaucrat, and practical politician, Niccolò Machiavelli served as Second Secretary to the Republic of Florence in the early sixteenth century and became the first major political thinker in the western tradition to make a complete break with the Aristotelian model of politics as a branch of ethics.While The Prince is his most famous work, grounding his reputation as the progenitor of ""Realpolitik,"" his many other writings have contributed to a more complex and broader image of the man and his political thought. Thus in recent years Machiavelli has come to be seen as a republican and a proto-liberal by some mainstream political theorists, and as an obfuscator of traditional values and ideologies, including gender roles, by feminists and non-feminists alike.The contributors to this volume, grappling with questions about the position of women in political society, investigate whether or not Machiavelli was truly a misogynist and a proto-fascist or instead a proto-feminist and a democratic republican. Among the themes they explore are the implications of such dichotomies as Fortuna and virtù, the public and the private, nature and reason, ends and means, functionality and the common good, as well as the importance of the military to the socialization of citizens, particularly women, to civic life, and the social construction of gender. Some of the contributors even consider the possibility that Machiavelli's approach to ethics provides a special insight that feminists, and women generally, might explore to their benefit.Besides the editor, the contributors are Wendy Brown, Jane Jaquette, Donald McIntosh, Melissa Matthes, Vesna Marcina, Martin Morris, Cary Nederman, Andrea Nicki, Mary O'Brien, Hanna Pitkin, Arlene Saxonhouse, John Shin, R. Claire Snyder, and Catherine Zuckert. ... Read more

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This comprehensive bibliographic guide to the books, monographs, articles and editions, translations, reviews, and dissertations on this important Renaissance writer provides the much-needed, annotated research source for scholarship and criticism published between 1935 and 1985. Research published after 1985 and available in annotated or abstracted form through computer searches is cited in an appendix. Annotations cover bibliographies, biographies, general and specific criticism, and new primary materials. "It is an important and significant book, sure to provide scholars with a guide through the Florentine secretary's writings for the next several decades." Peter Bondanella Professor of Italian Studies, Indiana University ... Read more

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Niccolò Machiavelli may not have been a cynical realist as he is often portrayed. On the contrary, this book argues that he precociously possessed the characteristics of an impassioned, sometimes misguided idealist, obsessed with the idea of Italian unification, but blinded to the practicalities of attaining that goal. William J. Landon suggests that these characteristics may help to explain his appeal to Italy's "Risorgimento" founders. This interdisciplinary volume, which also contains the first translation of a "Discourse or Dialogue Concerning our Language" since 1961, works well as a core text, or as a complement to courses in Renaissance history, literature or political science. ... Read more

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Plot synopsis of this classic is made meaningful with analysis and quotes by noted literary critics, summaries of the work's main themes and characters, a sketch of the author's life and times, a bibliography, suggested test questions, and ideas for essays and term papers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Time saver
With this guide, you can quickly find the relevant section of the Prince that deals with the research you are conducting.I definately recommend it for students who like to leave essays to the last minute.

One minor detail - the analysis is very general and pretty shallow, you're better off doing that part yourself.

Read the book.
Don't waste your time with this cheat sheet. Read the real book.Become enlightened.It's excellent and I can't seem to understand why people would want to cheat themselves out of such powerfull knowledge. ... Read more

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Edited and translated by Peter Bondanella and Mark Musa, "The Portable Machiavelli" not only gives the casual reader a chance to read different personal and professional works of Machiavelli, but also strives to do away with many of the myths that have plagued the man's posthumous fame. For example, the famous 'the ends justifies the means' quote is actually a gross exaggeration of what Machiavelli originally wrote, which was 'in the actions of all men...when there is no impartial arbiter, one must consider the final result'.The biggest counterargument Bondanella and Musa can supply is the simple fact that they include a less famous piece Machiavelli did called "The Discourses". This piece is often not mentioned or even casually footnoted because it presents the true Machiavelli - a man who was supportive of a Republic government run by the citizens. Any one who believes Machiavelli is a supporter of despots will be surprised to read him speaking in support for fair and public trials and a balance of power between rulers and their people. ... Read more

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The Portable Machiavelli
This educator wanted to stop and expand on my personal look at this historical figure...honestly and indepth.This one helped greatly.

Got it All!
First of all, this is a well-regarded translation by Bondanella. Secondly it includes all of the Prince, much of the Discourses, as well as including pieces of his other major works and even a play! It's a wonderful reference for those who want a much clearer picture of who Machiavelli was!

Required Reading for Politicos
Pure and simple.If you have any interest in the game of politics, and haven't read Machiavelli, you absolutely must read this book.The Portable Machiavelli contains "The Prince", and a collection of private letters written by Niccolo Machiavelli.Read it, learn it, apply it.

A useful collection of Machiavelli's writings
A useful compendium of Machiavelli's works that reveals a breadth of views not typically ascribed to Machiavelli; yes, we have The Prince, but we also have his Discourses, and even The Mandrake Root.

Reading the dedication to the Prince and following it up immediately with the dedication to the Discourses will show you either how Machiavellian Machiavelli was, or, more optimistically, how much one can change as one progresses through his years.

Machiavelli
In a few words:

This is a thick, but fascinating example of Machiavelli.

In quite a few words:

"The Portable" series is generally used to combine the most important works of an author and present them to the public at comfortable, convenient prices for comfortable, convenient books. With Machiavelli, however, the most famous work is rather thin - a small slice out of this thick, well-packed book.

Yes, the most incredible "The Prince" is here, tucked away neatly between other Machiavelli writings. It is remarkably readable (either thanks to the translation, or simply because Machiavelli wrote it so) and amazingly interesting. It is rather like a small history coupled with tactics and tips on "How to Rule Your Kingdom - Ideas for a Young Prince".

If someone is looking only for "The Prince", they could get it here, but as it is not the first piece in the book, this may be inconvenient, and may wish to turn elsewhere to get that book. For people looking for Machiavelli on the whole, this is your book.

"The Portable Machiavelli" doesn't just give us the main published works. Machiavelli's letters are thrust in, as are quite a few plays. On the whole, this book is full of intriguing surprises which may lure readers who enjoyed "The Prince" to purchase this. And that would be a good purchase.

Quite recommended. ... Read more