Book Description
Machiavelli's best known work is The Prince, in which he describes the arts by which a Prince (a ruler) can retain control of his realm. He focuses primarily on what he calls the principe nuovo or "new prince", under the assumption that a hereditary prince has an easier task since the people are accustomed to him. All a hereditary prince needs to do is carefully maintain the institutions that the people are used to; a new prince has a much more difficult task since he must stabilize his newfound power and build a structure that will endure. This task requires the Prince to be publicly above reproach but privately may require him to do things of an evil nature in order to achieve the greater good. The Prince is different from other books about creating and controlling principalities because it doesn't tell the reader what an ideal prince or principality is. Machiavelli explains through examples which princes are the most successful in obtaining and maintaining power. He draws his examples from personal observations made while he was on diplomatic missions for Florence and from his readings in ancient history. His writing has the mark of the Renaissance upon it because he sprinkles his text with Latin phrases and many examples are drawn from Classical sources. ... Read more

Book Description
Machiavelli's best known work,in which he describes the ways a Prince can control his kingdom. The book focuses on the 'principe nuovo', the belief that a hereditary prince has an easier task since the people are used to him. ... Read more

Book Description
In a commentary on the first ten books of Livy's history of Rome, Machiavelli derives lessons and principles about how to govern a republic.This is the companion book to his notorious "The Prince", which deals with monarchies and dictatorships.This seminal work of political science, also provides insight into the history of Rome and of Renaissance Italy.Download Description
We should, therefore, be careful how we censure the government of Rome, and should reflect that all the great results effected by that republic, could not have come about without good cause. And if the popular tumults led the creation of the tribunes, they merit all praise; since these magistrates not only gave its due influence to the popular voice in the government, but also acted as the guardians of Roman freedom, as shall be clearly shown in the following Chapter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A truely great evaluation of government
I am glad that I had read and re-read Titus Livy before reading this book. Doing so is not an absolute necessity, but I think it helps.

This fantastic book reveals how the governments of ancient Rome, renaissance Florence, and, if you will, modern America are confronted with nearly identical problems, and it is also made clear that nobody has worked out solutionw much superior to those embrassed by the leaders of Republican Rome. We would all be better off if our leaders could be required to read this book.

In THE PRINCE the author provides a renaissance monarch a survival kit for coping with the problems he would likely face. In the DISCOURSES we are treated to a much broader analysis of a better and more viable system of government which is amazingly similar to what the Founding Fathers of the United States tried to achieve. Alas, as with the Roman Republic, ours has, because of its current massiveness and complexity, appeared to have lost sight of what once made it great.

Father of Modern Political Philosophy
Niccolo Machiavelli, (1469-1527), writes the greatest treatise on keeping a republic vibrant by comparing Rome to republican Venice.Machiavelli has gained an unwarranted notorious reputation for his "evil" treatise on political thinking and acting through his authorship of "The Prince"."The Prince" received more notoriety than his politically erudite work "Discourses on the First Ten Books of Livy" in which Machiavelli espouses his belief that the Roman Republic was the best and most virtuous form of government to emulate.His breadth and understanding of Roman history is remarkable.Machiavelli's love of his country Florence, and the proud political work as a minor government administrator and ambassador Machiavelli performed during its years as a republic show through in this work.It was on his many ambassadorial trips to the French, Papal, and Italian courts that he learned to observe political leaders and their governmental institutions which formed the basis of his political theories in his many writings.My favorite quote from Machiavelli is; "It's better to act and repent then not to act and regret".

Modern philosophers starting with Machiavelli reject the classical view of politics as undemocratic and elitist.Only wealthy men of leisure would have time to develop the virtues and character necessary to rule.Machiavelli believed that man by nature was selfish and driven by ambition.Machiavelli is not interested in character formation and moral appeal but in building the right kind of institutions to govern society.Laws and justice would protect men from power hungry rulers.Modern philosophy is an out growth of the revolution that takes place in the natural sciences during the Enlightenment.The purpose of science is the conquest of nature man is in control of human life.Philosophers from Machiavelli on become sectarian."Everything good is due to man's labor rather than to nature's gift."

As a retired Army officer and student of political philosophy, I found this to be an indispensable book to continue one's journey into political philosophy and history of Europe.
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Book Description
"Those who strive to obtain the good graces of a prince are accustomed to come before him with such things as they hold most precious, or in which they see him take most delight; whence one often sees horses, arms, cloth of gold, precious stones, and similar ornaments presented to princes, worthy of their greatness.Desiring therefore to present myself to your Magnificence with some testimony of my devotion towards you, I have not found among my possessions anything which I hold more dear than, or value so much as, the knowledge of the actions of great men, acquired by long experience in contemporary affairs, and a continual study of antiquity; which, having reflected upon it with great and prolonged diligence, I now send, digested into a little volume, to your Magnificence."(From the author's dedication to "To the Magnificent Lorenzo Di Piero De' Medici.") ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Higher Education, published by Ohio State University Press on March 1, 1999. The length of the article is 8479 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: Nicolo Machiavelli is used in relaying suggestions on how university and college administrations can effect change in their organizations. The main tasks facing school administrators is to get an accurate assessment of their institutions. They should also have a keen appreciation of how decisions are made and implemented. Their success as school administrators depends on managerial expertise along with moral and political persuasiveness.

Citation Details
Title: A memo from Machiavelli.(Nicolo Machiavelli)
Author: Daniel J. Julius
Publication: Journal of Higher Education (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 1999
Publisher: Ohio State University Press
Volume: 70Issue: 2Page: 113(2)

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Book Description

A timeless classic including the works of Machiavelli:

Book Description
The works of Niccolo Machiavelli focuses on the problem of the State: its efficiency, military, and laws, representing the first attempt to express political science as an autonomous branch of learning. ... Read more

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"Those who strive to obtain the good graces of a prince are accustomed to come before him with such things as they hold most precious, or in which they see him take most delight; whence one often sees horses, arms, cloth of gold, precious stones, and similar ornaments presented to princes, worthy of their greatness.Desiring therefore to present myself to your Magnificence with some testimony of my devotion towards you, I have not found among my possessions anything which I hold more dear than, or value so much as, the knowledge of the actions of great men, acquired by long experience in contemporary affairs, and a continual study of antiquity; which, having reflected upon it with great and prolonged diligence, I now send, digested into a little volume, to your Magnificence."(From the author's dedication to "To the Magnificent Lorenzo Di Piero De' Medici.") ... Read more

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Easily navigate between individual chapters
with the embedded bookmarks for hassle free reading.

Amazon.com
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 HoganBook Description
The prince has long been both praised and reviled for its message of moral relativism, and political expediency. Although a large part is devoted to the mechanics of gaining and staying in power, Machiavelli's end purpose is to maintain a just and stabile government. He is not ambiguous in stating his belief that committing a small cruelty to avert a larger is not only justifiable, but required of a just ruler.
Machiavelli gives a vivid portrayal of his world in the chaos and tumult of early 16th century Florence, Italy and Europe. He uses both his contemporary political situation, and that of the classical period to illustrate his precepts of statecraft.Download Description

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 what 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.

Customer Reviews (261)

The prince
I love this item. It is an excellent item; new and clean. The transaction was also very good. Thanks very much.

Classic Political Treatise
Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Everyone who invests themselves in really reading The Prince, though, should also find time to sit down and read the dedication to The Prince and follow it up with the dedication to Machiavelli's Discourses.

"Anyone who abandons what is..."
For the life of me, I don't understand why Niccolo Machiavelli was vilified as mean-spirited. This book cuts through the camouflage of pretense and lay's out the logical and methodical steps of acquiring and maintaining power. It also correctly presupposes, given all men being equal, that our true nature is that of selfishness unless we're forced to be or do otherwise. If you want to cut through the maze of political correctness and learn a something about human nature read this book, it's fun and revealing.

THE PRINCE
This book will make you see history in a different light, and is insightful into how kings and rulers have viewed thier powers and responsibilities.

Great book, terrible translation!
The Prince is a classic work of political science. Unfortunately, this version of the book is not suitable for serious study or anything academic. This version is from an amateur publishing outfit! If you compare it with legitimate academic translations, sometimes it's not even accurate. I had to buy another (legit) version to be able to write my college papers, just a warning. ... Read more

Book Description
Purchase one of 1st World Library's Classic Books and help support our free internet library of downloadable eBooks. Visit us online at www.1stWorldLibrary.ORG-- Nicolo Machiavelli was born at Florence on 3rd May 1469. He was the second son of Bernardo di Nicolo Machiavelli, a lawyer of some repute, and of Bartolo-mmea di Stefano Nelli, his wife. Both parents were members of the old Florentine nobility. His life falls naturally into three periods, each of which singularly enough constitutes a distinct and important era in the history of Florence. His youth was concurrent with the greatness of Florence as an Italian power under the guidance of Lorenzo de' Medici, Il Magnifico. The downfall of the Medici in Florence occurred in 1494, in which year Machiavelli entered the public service. During his official career Florence was free under the government of a Republic, which lasted until 1512, when the Medici returned to power, and Machiavelli lost his office. The Medici again ruled Florence from 1512 until 1527, when they were once more driven out. This was the period of Machiavelli's literary activity and increasing influence; but he died, within a few weeks of the expulsion of the Medici, on 22nd June 1527, in his fifty-eighth year, without having regained office. ... Read more

Book Description
"Whether 'tis better to be loved or feared."'The Prince' is Machiavelli's classic text on the principles of gaining and holding power. ... Read more