Customer Reviews

The New Prince: Machiavelli Updated for the Twenty-First Century

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you can get past any preceived ideas you might have of Mr. Morris, this is an insightful discussion of modern U.S. politics. Morris did not invent modern political polling, he just raised it to an art form. The real villian is neither Morris or Machiavelli. The real and dangerous villian is the Prince who seeks to achieve, first and foremost, political power for himself and distantly second, if at all, to enhance the welfare of the state. Machevelli's and Morris's genius is not in what they created, but rather in what they were able to discern already in operaton in the real world. These observations, which escaped all others until pointed out, are condemned along with the writers as evil incarnate. Morris illustrates how modern politics operates and what motivates our modern politician. Machiavelli's and Morris's most important observation is "Get Real". This is how the game evolved and is now played. To be in the game, either as a player or as an educated observer, Morris book provides timely and valuable insights.

Dick Morris' is without doubt a brilliant political consultant and tactitian. His new text is in essence an "Anarchist's Cookbook" for the politician who wants to win an election - regardless of party, ideology or character. In fact, he argues that character is no longer so important - certainly not as important as the candidate's message.

My great disappointment, however, was that Dick's book is only a partial revisit to Macchiavelli's works (The Prince, Discourses). While Macchiavelli stresses the importance of character, and centers his thesis for a successful republic on righteous leadership that is focused upon the welfare of the people, Dick remains committed to the "message" and "issues", only. "Jeffersonian Democracy" in his eyes is based on public opinion NOW - with all of its fickleness, partisanship and emotional "heat of the moment" decisionmaking.

Like his most famous protege', it is my personal opinion that Mr. Morris possesses no moral compass and no real concept of LEADERSHIP under fire. Tough decisions often must be made from controversial options, and as in Chess, the long term "end game" is what's really important - especially in foreign affairs and National security. This is where character, strong will and moral authority really play a role - if you possess them.

Dick Morris is the recognized master at waging and winning political war - but what does one do after the victory? Many of thus are still asking that question.

The guy successfully combines the theories of a trained political scientist, which he isn't, with the experiences of a wise political advisor, which he is. It's a delightful read.

This is one of the easiest-to-read, most comprehensible political books I have ever read. Dick Morris made his basic ideas about a subject some call "dull" become important to the reader. "The New Prince" provided me with a deeper understanding of politics, giving me new insights into the subject. I have not yet read "The Prince" by Machiavelli, but nonetheless this book appears to have ideas that will prove meaningful in the years to come. Dick Morris gives more credit to voters than most people in the political arena do. He realizes that voters no longer make decisions based on single issues. He recognizes that people today are much more informed than citizens of past administrations. In America, people no longer want to elect a senator, let him do his job, and six years later evaluate his work in another election. They want involvement all the time. The author shows us how these changes in the desires of citizens change how a politician should make decisions. This books expresses great new political ideas in user-friendly vocabulary through an almost conversational tone with understandable, sound examples.

Some of the ideas in the book are good. I am grateful for the short chapters because the writing is not that great. In fact half way through the book I could no longer read it. It was just boring and the chapter design does not allow for a smooth transition. The book is choppy and the Prince idea is more of a gimmick than a reality. Thumbs down for me!!

An interesting and engaging writer and speaker, Mr. Morris illustrates how pandering to populism's most basic instincts will win one an election. However, in doing so, he equally illustrates that a government led in this manner speaks ill of democracy, ill of the electorate, and even more ill of their leaders. His exemplary argument that the current electorate is better informed than previous generations is misleading: they may have more information as he states, but if their opinions can be altered by such rhetoric, they are certainly less likely to apply critical reasoning, know the limits of their insight, or the long term effects of policy decisions. By demonstration and example he creates an indirect but persuasive argument for the dangers of populism by poll and paints 'the worst kind of democracy' more vividly than any historian ever could. Like the people he counsels, Mr. Morris focuses all too much on what can be done in leading a democracy by maintaining individual political popularity, rather than what should be done for the good of the people and the future of the state. If not for his energy and progressive voice, and for the sometimes sad ring of truth in each point, the vision of a people led by such sycophants is dark, Orwellian, and devoid of hope. He does nothing whatsoever to provide a guide for politicians becoming strong and popular statesmen, yet he does, by accident, contribute to the current debate about the relationship between culture, rule of law, liberalism and democracy-- not as a commentator, but as a sidebar. Niccolo would not have approved.

One would have expected to see some direct ties between Prince espousings and what Dick Morris has observed in his various capacities, but save the first few paragraphs in the intro which mention Machiavelli, the book is void of any reference to Machiavelli's theses. In terms of an expose on how present-day political adminsitrations reflect Machiavellian principles, it comes up short. It is more a giving of personal views and opinions of how politics should work.

Mr. Morris' book is inspiring. I read the original Prince by Machiavelli, but it was inconclusive and difficult to apply to today's democratic standards (although there are some things that will never change). This book can be applied in all stations and situations of life, for all of these are relative.
I believe that this is, truly, a guide to people--not just politics. It is a worthwhile read.

I read this book and applied the concepts to overcome a seemingly impossible situation. Result, I got one of the highest ratings in my department. My department is also one of the best and the toughest to succeed in. I like this book because it is well organized and you do not have to read it cover to cover. You simply review the section you need advice on. I wish Morris would write a book about staying in the top ranks after you succeed.

This is an interesting read. Morris describes how the new political system works. Since he and his best bud Bill Clinton upset the political formula in the nineties, this was something to behold.
This book is chock full of good advice. I can repeat them here: have a message, focus that message to the voters, forget about the undecided-they don't vote anyway, stay positive, when the election turns dirty, focus on your opponents misrepresentations, etc. I don't think Morris actually followed this advice, but hey, what do you expect from a politician.
I think this is sage advice. The messenger was bad. Americans don't like dirty campaigns. They want the message of what a person stands for. This is a book about how a good campaign should be run. For those considering running for an elective office, this is a very good read. It is Politics 101. I just wish the author was different.