The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli (3 May 1469 - 21 June 1527) was an Italian Renaissance diplomat, philosopher and writer, best known for The Prince. He has often been called the father of modern political philosophy and political science. For many years he served as a senior official in the Florentine Republic with responsibilities in diplomatic and military affairs. He wrote comedies, carnival songs, and poetry. His personal correspondence is of high importance to historians and scholars. He worked as secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence from 1498 to 1512, when the Medici were out of power.

Descriere de la o altă ediție sau format:

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. . . "The Prince" . . .has become essential reading for every student of government, and is the ultimate book on power politics.

That Machiavelli's name has become synonymous with cold-eyed political calculation only heightens the intrinsic fascination of The Prince - the world's pre-eminent how-to manual on the art of getting and keeping power, and one of the literary landmarks of the Italian Renaissance. Written in a vigorous, straightforward style which reflects its author's realism, this treatise on states, statecraft, and the ideal ruler is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how human society actually works.

"This is an excellent, readable and vigorous translation of The Prince, but it is much more than simply a translation. The map, notes and guide to further reading are crisp, to-the-point and yet nicely comprehensive. The inclusion of the letter to Vettori is most welcome. But, above all, the Introduction is so gripping and lively that it has convinced me to include 'The Prince' in my syllabus for History of Western Civilization the next time that I teach it... Great price, too! And lovely printing and layout." -- Rachel Fulton, University of Chicago.
"...lively and readable and makes the pithy, bracing, and forceful aspects of Machiavelli's thought accessible to nonspecialists." -- Michael C. Downs, Indiana University.
"The best edition of The Prince that I have ever read. Wooton's translation is lively and easy to read, and his introduction is provocative and engaging." -- Angelo Louisa, University of Nebraska, Omaha.
"...readable text in vigorous prose. I have not read a translation of The Prince into English that is more lively..." -- J H Hexter, Washington University.