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The Prince (Dover Thrift Editions) (Dover Thrift Editions: Philosophy) Paperback – Unabridged, August 10, 2016

by Niccolò Machiavelli (Author), N. H. Thompson (Translator)

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As a young Florentine envoy to the courts of France and the Italian principalities, Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) was able to observe firsthand the lives of people strongly united under one powerful ruler. His fascination with that political rarity and his intense desire to see the Medici family assume a similar role in Italy provided the foundation for his "primer for princes." In this classic guide to acquiring and maintaining political power, Machiavelli used a rational approach to advise prospective rulers, developing logical arguments and alternatives for a number of potential problems, among them governing hereditary monarchies, dealing with colonies and the treatment of conquered peoples. Refreshing in its directness, yet often disturbing in its cold practicality, The Prince sets down a frighteningly pragmatic formula for political fortune. Starkly relevant to the political upheavals of the 20th century, this calculating prescription for power remains today, nearly 500 years after it was written, a timely and startling lesson in the practice of autocratic rule that continues to be much read and studied by students, scholars and general readers as well.

Print length

80 pages
Language

English
Publication date

August 10, 2016
Reading age

14 years and up
Dimensions

5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
ISBN-10

0486272745
ISBN-13

978-0486272740
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From the Publisher

The father of modern political theory, Machiavelli proposed that theological imperatives have no place in the political arena — a revolutionary concept for 16th-century Italy.

“The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.”

”Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception.”

“He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command”

Classic guide to acquiring and maintaining political power is refreshing in its directness, yet often disturbing in its cold practicality.

Starkly relevant to the political upheavals of the 20th century.

This calculating prescription for power remains today, nearly 500 years after it was written, a timely and startling lesson in the practice of autocratic rule.

Dovers Thrift Edition Library of classic literature - a long standing mission of exceptional value

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From the Back Cover

That Machiavelli's name has become synonymous with cold-eyed political calculation only heightens the intrinsic fascination of The Prince - the world's pre-eminent how-to manual on the art of getting and keeping power, and one of the literary landmarks of the Italian Renaissance. Written in a vigorous, straightforward style which reflects its author's realism, this treatise on states, statecraft, and the ideal ruler is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how human society actually works.

About the Author

The father of modern political theory, Machiavelli proposed that theological imperatives have no place in the political arena — a revolutionary concept for 16th-century Italy. Even though his philosophy is often misunderstood, Machiavelli's works offer fascinating insights into Renaissance government.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications, Incorporated; Reprint edition (August 10, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486272745
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486272740
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #148,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #152 in European Politics Books
- #260 in Political Philosophy (Books)
- #416 in History & Theory of Politics

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Daniel Richardson

Fascinating

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 23, 2023

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Product came in perfect condition, and the book itself is a fascinating read.

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Bill Williams

People up to no good are said to be Machiavellian and manipulative

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 2, 2017

Verified Purchase

I’d been meaning to read The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli based on the reputation of the book alone. People up to no good are said to be Machiavellian and manipulative. I expected a treatise on how to manipulate people on an individual level. It is a much broader book than that.

The Prince is a guidebook for new rulers, or Princes, instructing them on the best way to rule over a populace. It’s a book on good governance with interesting bits of wisdom here and there. And, it’s a difficult read because the text calls on events that were current at the time it was written in 1513. The Prince also features a translation straight from antiquity.

Consider this little bit about building fortresses…

"So that, on the whole, the best fortress you can have, is in not being hated by your subjects. If they hate you no fortress will save you; for when once the people take up arms, foreigners are never wanting to assist them."

That’s a bit of wisdom. It is immediately followed by this passage…

"Within our own time it does not appear that fortresses have been of service to any Prince, unless to the Countess of Forlì after her husband Count Girolamo was murdered; for by this means she was able to escape the first onset of the insurgents, and awaiting succour from Milan, to recover her State; the circumstances of the times not allowing any foreigner to lend assistance to the people. But afterwards, when she was attacked by Cesare Borgia, and the people, out of hostility to her, took part with the invader, her fortresses were of little avail. So that, both on this and on the former occasion, it would have been safer for her to have had no fortresses, than to have had her subjects for enemies.

All which considerations taken into account, I shall applaud him who builds fortresses, and him who does not; but I shall blame him who, trusting in them, reckons it a light thing to be held in hatred by his people."

There are chapters on how to deal with flatterers and how to treat Ministers. The text concludes with Machiavelli encouraging a leader to use the lessons of the book and to step forward to rid Italian soil of barbarians.

Machiavelli advises the need for realism and talks of the influence of Fortune, for good and bad. The Prince an interesting read with applications to the modern age, but to get to the meat of the advice, you get a big dose of the politics of the ancient world.

5 people found this helpful

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Eddie

Politicians usually read this text in the first political science ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 14, 2016

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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

4 people found this helpful

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david mason

I knew what I was getting into before buying this ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 31, 2015

Verified Purchase

I knew what I was getting into before buying this. The truth is I saw a documentary on Nikki Barns (the drug dealer) which said that he read this book. Naturally curious, I did some research and found that some feel this book and its lessons are cruel and unusual. Yet you have to remember that this book was written in the 1500's which, the last time I checked, you were able to get away with murder if you were of high class. With that being said, I did find the book very informative in that it shows you how some people of power can think and some of the reasons behind their actions. My suggestion: read between the lines. Substitute murder for blackmail or extortion. Notice how the process of gaining allies in The Prince is very similar to how it is done today. The book is only 71 pages and for the price it's worth sitting down for a night or two to see how someone 50 years ago would think.

3 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Nothing fancy, but good value for price

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 24, 2022

Verified Purchase

It's exactly what it says it is. Good value

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Felix Delgado

Always wanted to read this

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

Considering the number of references to Machiavelli that I've heard, I thought that it was important to read this. I cannot say how his name came to have this current meaning from reading this. It's conclusion is definitely a self-aggrandizing and sets the whole of the book as a resume for a position.

Helpful

User

This book will crush all fantasies about government

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 14, 2018

Verified Purchase

The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, is one of the most influential Italian literature in the world.

This dangerous book exposes and analyzes the fundamental principles of power and government. These principles are always followed regardless of the form of government (democracy, monarchy, dictatorship,etc.).

The book exposes the fact that there is no form of government in which power is shared with the people. Unless you have power and influence, you do not, and never will matter to the government.
Gandhi and MLK changed their respective countries because they obtained power and influence.

There are only a handful of countries in the world with direct democracy, which counts everyone's vote equally.

I think real democracy may exist among less than ten people.

41 people found this helpful

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Ransom Vannoy Colvard, Jr.

great deal

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 22, 2022

Verified Purchase

great price and condition.

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Kingram

I should have bought this 40 years ago!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 27, 2013

Verified Purchase

I bought this book after seeing a documentary on Machiavelli on BBC.. The book was written 500 years ago. I should have bought this 49 years ago, now I am retired. But still find it very interesting and now I am thinking where did I go wrong. I never knew that this book was in existence for 500. No body told me about this book. I am now happy that my son and daughter have bought this book and they find it useful in their career.

2 people found this helpful

Chris_Carlisle

Still Relevant Today

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 5, 2016

Verified Purchase

Everyone knows the gist of The Prince I think, so I won't write a long review.
A lot of good points and strategies in there, but quite a dry read - good job it's short!

Amazon Customer

The Prince and relevance to today.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 20, 2015

Verified Purchase

II found the writing style very difficult to follow at first. The long sentences with many inserted additional points hard to follow and keep the main thread going. However I did get used to it about a third of the way through. The points described about the methods of power management and the position of a 'Prince' seemed very relevant to the power struggles we see being played out today. Perhaps this say a lot about human behaviour not really changed much from then to now.

Dr

great

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 29, 2014

Verified Purchase

Used this in one of my business lectures as I compared Machiavelli's text to current business - and particularly what a CEO should do when acquiring new companies. Interesting......

bushmaster57

Very interesting book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 17, 2013

Verified Purchase

This book, much like Sun Tzsu's The Art of War is a favourite among politicians and big businessmen alike. A very interesting look into the tactics of skullduggery and political survival

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The father of modern political theory, Machiavelli proposed that theological imperatives have no place in the political arena — a revolutionary concept for 16th-century Italy.

Classic guide to acquiring and maintaining political power is refreshing in its directness, yet often disturbing in its cold practicality.

Starkly relevant to the political upheavals of the 20th century.

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The father of modern political theory, Machiavelli proposed that theological imperatives have no place in the political arena — a revolutionary concept for 16th-century Italy.

Classic guide to acquiring and maintaining political power is refreshing in its directness, yet often disturbing in its cold practicality.

Starkly relevant to the political upheavals of the 20th century.

Editorial Reviews

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