Customer Reviews

The Prince (Special Student Edition)

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This book was written by the famous Italian statesman Niccolo Machiavelli in 1531. This book is a classic and I was pleasantly surprised that the content was not dated and the principles translate easily into the modern worlds of business and politics.
The author wrote this book as an instruction guide for governing princes in the 1500's when Italy was divided into city states and were being defeated by many foreign powers. I belive that the work is directed to Lorenzo de Medici by a letter included in the work and because at the end of the writing Machiavelli calls for a prince to unite and lead Italy against its oppressors.
The book is not unethical as I had imagined from my understanding of the ruthlessness of Machiavellian ethics. The author is only explaining tactics to use to maintain power in a kingdom or city state that are pragmatic for his time period.
Here are some examples of principles from the book:
1. When conquering a territory keep the current laws and institutions in place, but eliminate all the family of the defeated prince.
2. When trouble is sensed ahead of time it can be easily remedied, if you wait for it to show itself, it is to late.
3. Whoever is responsible for another becoming powerful, ruins himself.
4. There is no surer way of keeping possesion than by devastation.
5. Men do you are harm either because they hate you or they fear you.
6. Violence must be inflicted once and for all, it must be over quickly.
7. Build your power through the people.
8. Power is maintained through religious institutions.
9. Neglect the art of war and you lose your state.
10. If you act virtuously, you will be undone by those who are not, make use of this or not according to need.
The above is just a small sampling of the lessons in this book. My review can not do this book justice, it is full of wisdom and life lessons. It is a guide book for business leaders and politicians. I strongly suggest adding this book to your home library and referring to it often

This edition of Machiavelli's "The Prince" obviously received considerable attention by the publisher. It is intricately typeset, and on each page there is a reasonably wide column left for notes.

Unfortunately the aesthetics of the typesetting while sound as long as they are judged upon pure technicality, are superficially lavish in ways that do not typographically (or typography-historically) fit the subject matter. Despite that, while the large drop-caps are certainly "loud", they do not greatly distract from the content which is fascinating indeed.

If you have the money, there are more professionally treated editions. However, for its price, this edition is a reasonable proposition for the student on a tight budget.

Fast delivery! Book perfect condition, daughter has to read it for summer homework ... thanks! Not sure if a 14 year old will understand, may have to re-read a few times and ask a lot of questions ... this book is so relevant to our current political madness.

This book is fairly priced. I also like the fact that this book has margins on the side to write notes on. Each chapter has a couple of words explaining the theme of that chapter making it easier to determine what chapters you might want to read and which ones you might not. Great for students!

It's more useful than the Bible, mainly because it's relevant to everything occurring right now. This book will only enhance the reader and give an understanding of why leaders of countries, businesses, and organizations make certain decisions. You want to read this if you want to know what's going on.

Even after 500 years this is still one of the most insightful and revolutionary books ever written about power and politics

This book is a look into the mind of Machiavelli when he wrote it. This clears out the definition of "Machiavellian".

This is a must read for literate thinking persons. I have enjoyed the historical setting introduction to the text. It was a valuable enlightenment into the character of Machiavelli, and the events occureing in the nations during Machiavelli's life. Many of the things he speaks of, a person can see repeated or reflected in politics in our world history in the succeeding centuries since Machiavelli's time. A worthwhile way to use reading time. Highly recommended.

Everyone that vies for or holds political office needs to reread this classic. I read this as a freshman in college, had a hard time with it & then when my child had to read it for high school I read it again. Obviously neither W. nor Obama has picked this up in a long time.

I have not yet finished reading this wonderful book, but I about doing it...It has been a wonderful reading experience...I really recommend it to all readers in search of a good book.