Customer Reviews

The Prince

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There are lots of translations of Machiavelli's The Prince out there, both in in print and online. I first came across this one in graduate school. After having read it several times since being introduced to it as an undergraduate in different forms (in anthologies, in the Portable Machiavelli, etc.), this happens to be the most accessible one. Its introduction is fairly detailed, so new readers to Political Theory may find it overwhelming, but for those who have some background it presents intriguing ideas.

Machiavelli's work came about after the end of his diplomatic career. The contents lay out his reflections on how to rule. He includes such wisdom such as: It is better to be feared than to be loved. He notes two different types of leaders--lions and foxes, and speaks of the implications of each. As he notes in Chapter 18: "A prince must imitate the fox and the lion [and] must be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves."

There are many interpretations of this work. Is it satire, actually suggesting that a clever, nasty, feared prince is, in fact, likely to fail? Or a handbook for a leader? Or an effort to get in good graces with the powerful so that he could resume his career? Or. . .?

For the era, this is a fascinating work--especially read in juxtaposition with his Discourses. This represents a solid version of this classic work.

Wootton's work is splendid. The Introduction amply explains his approach. Eminently readable by a broad audience. I truly enjoyed it.

Machiavelli's The Prince is genius, not because it tells us how things should be, but because he tells us how things are. Inside The Prince, we gain a view of politics during his lifetime that in honestly still last today. He delves into many issues such as whether it is better for a leader to be loved or feared, and reality vs. perception. This book also leads to discredit the myth that all was well and mighty and just in the good old Renaissance, providing us with a history of what history almost erased.

Probably within my top 5 favorite works of literature written before the 1700s

This book arrived to me in perfect condition! It was as if it wasn't even used. I am very happy with the quality that it is in!

I ordered this book for a college class. It arrived on time and in great condition.