The Prince

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.