Customer Reviews

The Prince (Dover Thrift Editions)

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Politicians usually read this text in the first political science class which they take. Actually, understanding Politics without understanding the principles in this text is an impossibility. A person who does not understand the principles of this text is too naive to understand why their leaders do what they do. Politics occurs in business, family life, and other settings, as well as government; Machiavelli's rules may be applied in all of these. Though living by these rules isn't necessary, a successful politician must act with mindfulness of their implications, or face failure. Considering the far reaching implications of Machiavelli's thought, one might wonder why elementary school children do not study "the Prince."

Many people don't have the guts to face what Machiavelli says. He presents the rules of 'hardball' politics; the only time that he mentions morality is when he describes the occasions in which a leader may need to fake it. Politicians have become so adept in following these rules that those whom they lead will often take offense at the suggestion that their leaders live by them. Read this book and understand the daily news.

"The Prince" is the quintessential text of Political Science. The Dover edition, though small, does not lack any of the origional text. It does lack the clutter of scholarly commentaries. It belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the politics which impacts their life, but it will merely irritate the gullible

Machiavelli wrote this book for the Medici back in a time that is suppossed to be so different from today. Yet, The Prince is as applicable as the day it was wrote- maybe more so. It's a concise, almost surgical, guidebook to world domination. Superficially, this book is written like stereo instructions with precise directions on control of your enemies, followers, and friends. But, deeply, it will force any serious reader to take stock of the lengths neccessary to attain great power. Lives are flited at like pieces on a chess board with absolutely no uneccessary concern (if they can't hurt ya, screw 'em). Why, aside from that whole learning about world domination thing, this book is such a neccessary read for anybody with a stake in daily life is because this is the book your leaders sleep with under their pillow. There hasn't been an intelligent, powerful, and influential political leader that hasn't been influenced by Machiavelli and this book. It's very important to really wrap yourself around reality in reading this book so as to open your own eyes to what people do to lead (not just dictators, facists, and imperialists, but deomcrats and republicans.). This book is Political Reality 101- you must read it.

Machiavelli's brilliant text (I read the N. H. Thomson translation, in the Dover Thrift edition) is sometimes disturbing, but ultimately brilliant in its analysis as to the achievement of political power. His arguments are rational and succinct, and it amazed me how relevant all this was to today's political landscape! Who could have thought that a document nearly 500 years old would survive and remain important.

How to be in charge, and how to stay that way. At least in an Italian political sense amidst the power structures of the time.

Some of this is of course relevant to a lot of situations. More so if you are a dictator as opposed to being the Minister for Water Supply or the Arts, of course.

An interesting book.

This is a must-read classic for anyone interested in history, business, politics or meglomania. It has inspired many of history's most powerful leaders (several of which, it has been said, slept with this book under their pillow) and with good reason. Despite it's age, Machiavelli's arguments and strategies can easily be adopted for use in today's world. Not to mention all the insight it provides for those who question history.

I was looking for a cheap copy of The Prince and the Dover Thrift Edition doesn't add a lot of extra fluff. The text is great, and as per the philosophy of the book, my motive for buying it was the price.

Either you love it or you don't, just wanted to say that the shipping was faster than the speed of light and the book was in fantastic condition.

Reading a piece of work from the intriguing Renaissance helps you get a better understanding of the era and the people in. This is especially true when the work is that of Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince. It is a classical piece of literature that every student or leader should own.

Niccolo Machiavelli was a privy to much of the political activity in Renaissance Italy. In 1512, the roller-coaster political ride of any state took a major dip for Machiavelli as he was banished for suspected treason. It was during this time that the author decided to write down a guide for state rulers. It called it The Prince.

Dedicated to Lorenzo De' Medici of the Italian ruling family, Machiavelli begins by describing the various types of states and principalities. A ruler might find himself over a state that he inherited, or he might find that he is now ruling over a state that he has conquered. These states cannot be handled the same way. Depending on the type of state, the ruler has to be able to adjust how he rules to be effective. He even explains how a ruler who acquires the throne by evil means has to handle his subjects differently if he is to stay in power.

What impresses me the most about The Prince is how Machiavelli does not make the perfect ruler where he has to fit in a one-size only mold. He shows that there are many situations that a ruler can come to power and each of those situations requires different action.

What kind of troops does the ruler want? Each type came with its pros and cons. Machiavelli discusses each of these. How does the ruler want to approach military matters? There are implications here. How does the ruler want to be viewed by those that are his subjects? That will dictate much of his actions.
He even discusses those that treat their subjects cruelly and what to expect as a result. Treachery, piousness, and weakness are all also discussed. Machiavelli approaches the entire subject objectively: "A prince, therefore, must be indifferent to the charge of cruelty if he is to keep his subjects loyal and united."

Machiavelli creates a handbook that rulers even today would benefit from reading. Ruling a state is not easy. The choices a ruler makes determine the how his reign will end. Throughout the book, he gives advice on how a ruler should be wary and wise: "Hence a prince ought to be a fox in recognizing snares and a lion in driving off wolves."

The fact that this work is obviously in the public domain, you will be able to quickly find free versions on the web. Having a hard copy has some advantages and is highly recommended personally. I started reading it online, but found that I wanted to mark certain passages and make notes in the margin. That can be electronically, but I enjoyed having the hard copy in my hand to examine and devour.

If you love history and politics, you really should read The Prince. You probably will agree that leaders of today would benefit from Machiavelli's advice.

As the first political "how to" manual, The Prince has withstood the test of time. He analyzes different methods of gaining power, and once gained, how to keep it. A masterpiece of early political thought. Its methods can be applied to many aspects of life today.

Although well written, and probably realistic, I find the outpourings of Machiavelli leave me a little cold. From his anecdote that men should be flattered or eliminated, to his advice on whether to be loved or feared, the reader is left with the feeling that men who live by these virtues should most definitely be avoided.