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&&LDIV&&R&&LDIV&&R&&LDIV&&R&&LI&&RThe Prince and Other Writings&&L/I&&R, by &&LB&&RNiccolo Machiavelli&&L/B&&R, is part of the&&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R&&LI&&R &&L/I&&Rseries, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R: &&LDIV&&R New introductions commissioned from today''s top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader''s viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics &&L/I&&Rpulls together a constellation of influences--biographical, historical, and literary--to enrich each reader''s understanding of these enduring works.&&L/DIV&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&LDIV&&R &&L/DIV&&R&&LDIV&&ROne of history''s greatest political philosophers, &&LB&&RNiccolò Machiavelli&&L/B&&R is notorious for his treatise &&LI&&RThe Prince&&L/I&&R, which has become a cornerstone of modern political theory. Written in 1513 and published in 1532, after Machivelli''s death, &&LI&&RThe Prince&&L/I&&R immediately provoked controversy that has continued unabated to this day. &&LBR&&R&&LBR&&RDefining human nature as inherently selfish, Machiavelli proposes that social conflict and violence are natural phenomena that help determine the ablest, most versatile form of government. Asserting that idealism has no place in the political arena, &&LI&&RThe Prince&&L/I&&R primarily addresses a monarch''s difficulties in retaining authority. Considered the first expression of political realism, it has often been accused of advocating a political philosophy in which "the end justifies the means." Indeed the emphasis in &&LI&&RThe Prince&&L/I&&R on practical success, at the expense even of traditional moral values, earned Machiavelli a reputation for ruthlessness, deception, and cruelty. Many scholars contend, however, that the author''s pragmatic views of ethics and politics reflected the realities of his time, as exemplified by the Medici family of Florence. &&LBR&&R&&LBR&&RDebates about Machiavelli''s theories are as lively today as they were 450 years ago, but no one questions the importance of his fundamental contribution to Western political thought. This newly translated edition also includes Machiavelli''s &&LI&&RLetter to Francesco Vettori&&L/I&&R, &&LI&&RThe Life of Castruccio Castracani&&L/I&&R, and excerpts from the &&LI&&RDiscourses on Livy&&L/I&&R.&&LBR&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&LDIV&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R&&LSTRONG&&RWayne A. Rebhorn&&L/B&&R&&L/B&&R, Celanese Centennial Professor of English at the University of Texas, has authored numerous studies of Renaissance European literature. His &&LI&&RFoxes and Lions: Machiavelli''s Confidence Men&&L/I&&R won the Howard R. Marraro Prize of the Modern Language Association of America in 1990. &&L/P&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&L/DIV&&R… (more)
User reviews
But now, to the more casual reader. Not surprisingly, this is not an easy read. The sentences are circuitous and, to be honest, so is some of the logic. There are good points throughout. However, as I read them, I began to wonder about some of the conclusions he was making.
There are business books out there (hang in there with me, this will tie in) where the authors have a premise they want to make. Then they go out and find successful (or unsuccessful – depending on the premise) companies which support that premise. To some extent, this is the way it felt with Machiavelli – he has a point he wants to make, and finds the events in history that support it. And, to be honest, some of his conclusions do not, completely, follow from the story he tells.
It is a book that should be read by anyone that is involved in any politics – all types of politics, even office politics – because there are truths within. But the revelations have to be dug for.
The additional material within this volume follows in the same form, if at a somewhat lower success rate. However, the absolute highlight for me – even better than The Prince – was the end of The Life of Castruccio Castracani of Lucca. After describing the aforementioned life, Machiavelli provides some of Castracani’s “retorts and stinging remarks.” These are excellent and should be required reading for all – even required before The Prince.
I now watch each election with a cynical eye as people extol the virtues of different candidates with conviction and idealism. I know that these people have never read "The Prince" and if they did, failed to grasp its primary message. After
Politics and government will not change for the better or make the world a better place. Only one thing can bring about true change and improvement and that is the improvement of the human species itself. When human beings cease to suck this world will be a pretty fine place.
Stop devolving now!