The Art of War & the Prince [Paperback]

Niccolò Machiavelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 24, 2008

Collected here in one omnibus edition are Niccolò Machiavelli's most import works, The Art of War and The Prince. It was Niccolò Machiavelli who essentially removed ethics from government. He did it with The Prince, when he asserted that The Prince (president, dictator, prime minister, etc.) does not have to be concerned with ethics, as long as their motivation is to protect the state. It is this questionable belief that in many ways had lead to the modern world as we know it. His assertion was that the head of state must protect the state no matter the cost and no matter what rules he or she breaks in the process. If you want to understand modern politics you must read this book. Machiavelli considered The Art of War his greatest achievement. Here you will learn how to recruit, train, motivate, and discipline an army. You will learn the difference between strategy and tactics. Machiavelli does a masterful job of breaking down and analyzing historic battles. This book of military knowledge belongs alongside Sun-Tzu and Clausewitz on every book shelf.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469 –1527) was an Italian philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, playwright, and a civil servant of the Florentine Republic. He also wrote comedies, carnival songs, poetry, and some of the most well-known personal correspondence in the Italian language. His position in the regime of Florence as Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Republic of Florence lasted from 1498 to 1512, the period in which the de' Medici were not in power. The period when most of his well-known writing was done was after this, when they recovered power, and Machiavelli was removed from all functions. Sun Tzu was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored the Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy. Sun Tzu has had a significant impact on Chinese and Asian history and culture, both as an author of the Art of War and through legend. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Sun Tzu's Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use in Western society, and his work has continued to influence both Asian and Western culture and politics. Historians have questioned whether or not Sun Tzu was an authentic historical figure. Traditional accounts place him in the Spring and Autumn Period of China (722–481 BC) as a military general serving under King Helü of Wu, who lived c. 544—496 BC. Modern scholars accepting his historicity place the completion of The Art of War in the Warring States Period (476–221 BC), based on the descriptions of warfare in the text, and on the similarity of text's prose to other works completed in the early Warring States period. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wilder Publications (November 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160459361X
• ISBN-13: 978-1604593617
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #953,260 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Government > Constitutions
  • #94 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Military > Strategy

More About the Author

Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was born in Florence. He served the Florentine republic as a secretary and second chancellor, but was expelled from public life when the Medici family returned to power in 1512.His most famous work, The Prince, was written in an attempt to gain favour with the Medicis and return to politics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ends Justify The Means, June 18, 2005

By 

Sam Butler - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of War & The Prince by Machiavelli (Paperback)

The combination of these two works into one unified book shows how clearly Machiavelli saw the value of power. His vision was straightforward: Might Makes Right. Or, at least, morality is only important to the survivors. The application of hard, cold logic to the ends of grasping and wielding power was applied by Machiavelli in these two discourses with astonishing clarity.

In Machiavelli's philosophy, success was all important. His is the prime example of the doctrine of "The Ends Justify the Means." To win, to obtain and hold power and thereby achieve fame and glory was considered by Machiavelli to be the only worthy goal of those who had an opportunity to find greatness in the exercise of power.

The combination of these two important documents in one volume reinforces his view that success by any means is justifiable if one succeeds. After all, the winner writes the epitaph. Who can argue that the victor, with the reins of power firmly in his grasp, does not have the right to tell the story so his side is presented in the best possible light?

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Appeal to Absolute Reason, July 19, 2006

By 

John McLeod - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of War & The Prince by Machiavelli (Paperback)

Machiavelli was a man of many talents and rare insight. His writing skill, the ability to effectively make his points is clearly shown in this edition which displays two different styles of presentation. His "Art of War" is presented as a series of dialogues. "The Prince" is done as a straight exposition. Both are superbly done.

His honest lessons, on how to use power, were revolutionary in their appeal to the rational mind. He pointed out how to profit from the best use of one's assets, and that remorse over spilt milk is a waste of time. Although he advises ruthlessness over kindness, the outstanding feature of his work is the appeal to absolute reason.

This particular volume, which combines his two greatest books, is well worth reading and re-reading. Both of these works are classics that were ahead of their time and undoubtedly will continue to be read and appreciated for another 500 years.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intrigue and Politics, July 25, 2009

By 

Heath Sides (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of War & The Prince by Machiavelli (Paperback)

Two of the giants in military strategy are brought together in this special edition. I have now read 3 books in this series, and although "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu is still at the top, in my opinion, Machiavelli can't be denied his place in the pantheon of genius strategists. Although Machiavelli appears to have copied Sun Tzu's style, his aphorisms are still thought provoking, like of course, "The ends justify the means."