Niccolo's Smile : A Biography of Machiavelli 1st American ed Edition

by Maurizio Viroli (Author), Antony Shugaar (Translator)

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ISBN-13: 978-0374221874

ISBN-10: 0374221871

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A compelling portrait of the Italian philosopher who coined the phrase "the ends justify the means" looks at the man's surprising career and relationships, delving deeply into the personal history that enlivened his masterpiece, The Prince.

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Editorial Reviews

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Machiavellian is a pejorative term suggesting serpentine scheming and use of immoral, ruthless means to achieve desired ends; those ends usually include the maintenance of power at all costs. Inevitably, it is often assumed that Machiavelli himself must have reflected and practiced these methods in his personal and public life. Viroli, a professor of politics at Princeton, effectively refutes that notion in this absorbing and surprising survey of a full, eventful life. Machiavelli was cursed to live in interesting but chaotic and violent times. In Viroli's view, his longing for a powerful ruler was not merely based on a cynical wish to see power exercised; rather, Machiavelli hoped for a strong and, if necessary, devious ruler who could rule effectively but also wisely and justly. In his personal life, he is revealed here as a caring, sensitive man who, contrary to expectations, was frequently ruled by his heart rather than his head. This is a compact and enjoyable look at a man far more interesting than his myth. Jay Freeman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Maurizio Viroli is the author of numerous works in political theory and of a study of Machiavelli's political philosophy. A professor of politics at Princeton University, he lives in Princeton, New Jersey, and Forlì, Italy.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar Straus & Giroux; 1st American ed edition (October 1, 2000)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 271 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374221871
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374221874
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #785,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #212 in Medieval Thought Philosophy
- #671 in Philosopher Biographies
- #942 in History of Philosophy

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tanguero compadrito

Machiavelli is quite unlike what I learned from the history books.

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020

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The movie "Atomic Blonde" reawakened my interest in Machiavelli. In the seventies I took a university class on the Renaissance. The professor became very intense when he said that someday someone would write a biography of the real Machiavelli. I was happy to learn that at age 98 he is still going strong. I'm sure that twenty years ago when he found this book, his ever-present smile grew even broader.
The author must be a fun professor. I bought a hardback book because I had a feeling I would want a copy for my library even though I'm trying to downsize. The words make Machiavelli and the Renaissance come alive. Kudos also to the translator. People are amazed that I'm reading an actual book but I'm old-school, yet I use my laptop to look up Italian and Latin translations, locate the scene of the action, see what the vast number of characters looked like and refresh my knowledge of things that have become fuzzy. Because of this book I see so many connections that I missed: da Vinci as military advisor and spy, Heinrich Isaac, Cicero and on and on. I now want to compare the Prinzen Spiegel for the young Maximillian with the Prince, something I should have noticed back then. Many thanks for my personal renaissance to Professor Viroli

One person found this helpful

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B. GOOD

SHEDDING A NEW LIGHT ON A GREAT MAN IN HISTORY

Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2016

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I came about reading "Niccolo's Smile" when assigned to read "The Prince" and a desire to know more about the author and his motivation, I am so very delighted that I did.

In the past, whenever I came across the word "Machiavellian", there was always a negative connotation tied to it. Now I know better.
Not many books in this genre have moved me as this one has and I am so grateful that I discovered it. The smile is no longer so enigmatic, but more importantly, the realization that this wonderful man was so horribly misunderstood and under-appreciated and the sadness that he must have felt throughout his life was very moving. It was also a great review of the happenings of that critical time in Italian history in which he played such an important role for such little recognition. A wonderful gift from the author.

4 people found this helpful

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Machiavelli as a human being rather than an epithet

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2002

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This is a concise and lively account of Machiavelli's life. It provides the general reader with much needed context and background in order to read Machiavelli's works with any kind of understanding. While there are good scholarly works that can provide the feeling of more intellectual heft, this book should not be underestimated simply because it is easy to read and doesn't require weeks to read.
Machiavelli is one of those brand-name characters that evoke certain reactions in people in such a generalized way that people mistakenly believe they know something about the man and his work. This book can help debunk much of that received nonsense. It is surprising how "modern" a man he was considering he lived nearly 500 years ago.
The author has admiration for Machiavelli's skills as an analyst and as a diplomat, has sympathy for his personal suffering and disappointments, and forgiving in his attitude towards Machiavelli's human failings (the author might not even agree they were failings - they were just human). And that is the book's greatest contribution; it shows its subject as a human being rather than a caricature or a statue.
In any case, I found this to be a very valuable and entertaining book. I recommend it highly. You can draw your own conclusions about the subject and they author's conclusions. But you will have gained a lot in the process of coming to those (now better informed) conclusions.
There are a few helpful maps throughout the book and a suggested reading list at the end. The translation is terrific.

12 people found this helpful

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Denise Bozovich

Thanks

Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2019

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Great book

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Patrick Hogan

Great Book, Great Condition, Great Service!

Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2018

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No complaint, first class service!

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Don

An interesting perspective

Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2012

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Many see Machiavelli as a cold hearted bastard that taught people to be liars and dictators. This puts his life and works in a new perspective. Who would have known that Machiavelli was the life of the party at one point? If you want to get to know one of the greatest minds this world has ever seen a little better you need to read this book.

2 people found this helpful

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Allen K. Heacock

His smile is well worth the investment.

Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2009

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The "story" is well worth the reading, for the entertainment value if nothing else. The picture painted of Machiavelli by our collective conscious was that of rather sociopathic advice, probably given by a sociopath. The picture painted by this author suggests that Nicolo was something of a male chauvinist. My perception has been constructively widened. Allen of Kerrville TX

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Amazon Customer

that boot was always in turmoil much like fuedal japan

Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2016

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certainly clarfies fuedal italy and therefore the prince. that boot was always in turmoil much like fuedal japan.

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