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The Prince

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
By: (1469-1527)

Machiavelli has created a ruthless guide on how to rule the country in his volume "The Prince". The book is dedicated to Lorenzo De Medici, the ruler of Florence. The author explains in simple language about the nature of great men and the characters of the government. The first chapter gives an outline of the book discussing various styles of ruling as a prince, character traits that a ruler should have and the political situation of Italy in the 16th century.

The book is composed of 26 chapters which fall into four major sections. In part one Machiavelli discusses the four types of principalities. The first type is hereditary princedoms meaning they are inherited by the ruler. There are also mixed principalities which are seized by force, civic principalities which are acquired by various criminal methods and finally ecclesiastical principalities influenced by the church. Machiavelli outlines how to maintain a newly acquired territory as these various types of principalities.

The author details the characters of a prince for example paying close consideration to the armed forces so that they help him keep his power. There are four types of armies that are identified by the author beginning with mercenaries who are the hired soldiers and tend to be unreliable and dangerous. There are also auxiliaries which are the soldiers lent by other rulers, native troops which are the soldiers in their own country and lastly the mixed troops which will have soldiers from native troops, auxiliaries and mercenaries.

Machiavelli also takes a chapter to put forth the character and behavior of a prince. In an ideal world a virtuous prince would do well. Additionally Machiavelli considers it better to be economical than to be generous, pitiless than amorous and sneaky rather than sincere.

Reading “The Prince” will take you into the ruthless and cunning mind of Machiavelli as he systematically describes how to conquer and rule in the 16th century Italy. The astute reader will find that Machiavelli's principals apply just as much in today's world as they did hundreds of years ago.


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Reviews (Rated: 5 Stars - 9 reviews)

Reviewer: - February 19, 2018
Subject: Best Assignment Ever
I was assigned to read this book for my Intro to Internstional Relations class. I just fell in love with it. It is the only assigned reading that I have read several times over and cited whenever I could.
Reviewer: - February 11, 2017
Subject: John
I conceive you have remarked some very interesting points , regards for the post. debccebedcdbbkaf
Reviewer: - December 31, 2015
great site, listening everyday :)
Reviewer: - November 6, 2014
Glad to find this site .. well done and completely satisfied
Reviewer: - August 12, 2014
The clear voice of the reader is great
Reviewer: - December 26, 2013
Subject: One of the greatest works of satire
While the English translation of this work is badly mangled, it is still sterling work of political satire and musings about human nature. Great narration and content.
Reviewer: - August 29, 2013
Great book, and the narration is incredible. This recording is a keeper!
Reviewer: - August 8, 2013
Excellent! Great book and well read!
Reviewer: - June 21, 2013
Subject: Student
I find this book good reading to improve one's knowledge.


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