Introducing Machiavelli

by Patrick Curry and Patrick Currey

Book Overview

Illustrated guide to the crucial Italian philosopher and author of The Prince. 'Machiavellian' is a popular byword for treachery and opportunism. Machiavelli's classic book on statecraft, The Prince,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1874166285
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: Icon,Totem Books
• Length: 175 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Machiavelli's philosophy

Who was Niccolo Machiavelli? Why is his name synonymous with deceit, skullduggery, stiletto knives and J.R. Ewing? What did he really believe and how would his philosophy be applied throughout time -- even to our current crop of kakistocrats in office? This book uses illustration to put good ol' "St. Nic" (as I refer to him tongue-in-cheek) in modern situations, each time offereing some pithy comment on the situation. Quite intriguingly done.

Great for Machiavelli Beginners.

Many people will read the Prince, The Discourses, or the Art of War and not know what the hell Machiavelli was talking about. I picked this book up, and right away I figured the other books out. This is a required reading if you need to read the Prince, or the other books by Machiavelli.

Excellent Book - Machiavelli as you never knew him

I picked this up from a sorting shelf this afternoon, and I am very very glad I did so. This book introduces you to Machiavelli's life and ideas, and then deftly compares his writings to contemporary and recent history. The "running commentary" by Machiavell is fascinating. It's opened my eyes to just how switched-on Machiavelli was, and how earnest and well-intentioned. I'm definitely going to be reading more about Machiavelli - indeed, this book was so good I'm considered changing out of science and into arts to pursue the topic more closely!

Great introduction!

I knew very little about Machiavelli before reading this amusing illustrated book. I had heard many 'negative' remarks about him, but just like Nietzsche, Machiavelli is not at all that simple. A fascinating character with much to say that is still quite relevant to our world today. I will definitely go on to read Machiavelli's books. The cartoon sequence featuring Mussolini and Gramsci in a dialog moderated by old Nick was great. Go out and get this book!

Best available synopsis of Machiavellian thought . . .

Now that McCanles' _Discourse of Il Principe_ is out of print, this is the most readable and insightful analysis / synthesis of Machiavellian thought available. The author catches the dialectical nuances of Machiavelli's thought exactly. But the joy of the text comes from the comparisons between Machiavelli and contemporary figures, e.g., Antonio Gramsci, Benito Mussolini, Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, etc. Must read!