Machiavelli: The Prince
 | Cambridge Texts in the History of Political ThoughtBy Niccolo Machiavelli, Quentin Skinner, Russell Price Cambridge University Press, 1989, Hardcover Customer Rating: 284 reviews Recommend |
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In his introduction to this new translation by Russell Price, Professor Skinner presents a lucid analysis of Machiavelli's text as a response both to the world of Florentine politics, and as an attack on the advice-books for princes published by a number of his contemporaries. This new edition includes notes on the principal events in Machiavelli's life, and on the vocabulary of The Prince, as well as biographical notes on characters in the text.
When Lorenzo de' Medici seized control of the Florentine Republic in 1512, he summarily fired the Secretary to the Second Chancery of the Signoria and set in motion a fundamental change in the way we think about politics. The person who held the aforementioned office with the tongue-twisting title was none other than Niccolò Machiavelli, who, suddenly finding himself out of a job after 14 years of patriotic service, followed the career trajectory of many modern politicians into punditry. Unable to become an on-air political analyst for a television network, he only wrote a book. But what a book The Prince is. Its essential contribution to modern political thought lies in Machiavelli's assertion of the then revolutionary idea that theological and moral imperatives have no place in the political arena. "It must be understood," Machiavelli avers, "that a prince ... cannot observe all of those virtues for which men are reputed good, because it is often necessary to act against mercy, against faith, against humanity, against frankness, against religion, in order to preserve the state." With just a little imagination, readers can discern parallels between a 16th-century principality and a 20th-century presidency. — Tim Hogan
Title: Machiavelli: The Prince (Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought)
Sales Rank: 241224 in Books
Author: Niccolo Machiavelli
Creator: Quentin Skinner, Russell Price
Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 1989-10-28, Hardcover, 192 pages, ISBN: 0521342406
Package Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.51 x 0.71 inches, 0.88 pounds
- Hard to follow
- Always heard about the man and the book but it was difficult trying to follow and understand. Gave up three quarters of the way through. Did learn a little something though. More reviews
- The Giant of the Self-Help Genre
- Forget about Covey and the habits of highly effective people and any other book you have ever glanced at to try to pick yourself up and guide yourself out of the rat race and have a look at the greatest specimen ever conceived of the self-help genre. The Prince is a mysterious, multi-layered magnum opus with shocking and provocative insights into… More reviews
- A Poor Translation
- This review was submitted on the web page presenting Mansfield's translation.
I have been using Wootton's translation of The Prince in a university program where the texts are set by the faculty. This year we changed to the Mansfield translation and I've requested that we return to Wootton's.
In his attempt to provide an "accurate" translation of the Italian, Mansfield… More reviews
- mc review
- I ordered this book for a college class. It arrived on time and in great condition. More reviews
- The Recipe of the American Corporate State
- Machiavelli's "The Prince" is a guide of morality-void techniques for acquiring and maintaining political power and ultimately, political fortune. Written nearly 500 years ago, this blueprint for tyranny is just as relevant today. As his compass, Machiavelli uses history, both ancient and contemporary. In 500 years, no one has proven him wrong. Here's a flavor for you innocents out… More reviews
