The Prince (Mentor) [Paperback]

Niccolo Machiavelli (Author), E.R.P. Vincent (Editor), Luigi Ricci (Translator), Christian Gauss (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1980 | ISBN-10: 0451627555 | ISBN-13: 978-0451627551

A new edition of the classic THE PRINCE. A political treatise by the Florentine political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was a Florentine statesman who was later forced out of public life. He then devoted himself to studying and writing political philosophy, history, fiction, and drama.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Mentor Books (1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451627555
• ISBN-13: 978-0451627551
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,354,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic deserving of its fame, April 7, 2004

By 

JPAN (Saint Paul, Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prince (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

This classic treatise is the most famous work on the subject of political power, and with good cause. Machiavelli outlines the basic principles of how to properly govern a kingdom, from whether it is better to fight with native troops (he argues that it is better to lose with your own soldiers than with with mercenaries) to whether it is better to be loved or feared (he clearly sides with the latter). Despite its somewhat negative connotations, the author goes to great lengths to outline why he comes to the conclusions he does. Taken in their proper context, Machiavelli's positions are, I believe, much less inflamatory than their stereo-types. One also must considers the time and circumstances in which the book was written.
In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone who considers themselves to be a reader of classics. I picked up this edition in the airport for 4 dollars...how could you go wrong? Anyone would be proud to place this on his or her bookshelf.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not much I can add, April 3, 2008

By 

J. S. Breunig (Princeton) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prince (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

What more to write that others haven't? It's The Prince, Machiavelli's work, chances are you're coming in with a lot of preconceived notions, assumptions, or just intrigue.

First, the writing style. The book is divided into short essays. This makes it great for reading for 5 minute bursts or sitting down and reading at leisure. The language is natural and flowing, for the most part. Some of the references are to "contemporary" actions, which unless you study fifteenth-century Italian politics will be a bit over your head. Still, points are made, and examples usually at least have a sentence of background.

Now, the content. Not being in the business of power, I can't attest to the efficacy of the claims. The author certainly does a good job of making his case: using examples, hypotheticals, abstract theories and a dash of reason. I do now look at things like office politics, organized crime and international relations in a new light, trying to understand if the concepts still apply. Surprisingly, a number of them seem to play out no matter the stakes or timeframe. So for a new perspective, this book does deliver.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars #20 Power Politics (Understanding the Enemy), May 29, 2010

By 

T. Price "Ty Price" (Jax Fl.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prince (Paperback)

Power Politics (Understanding the Enemy)

The quintessential evil doers manual...knowing this will give you insights to all the power mongers of the planet!