apa17th's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
I found myself surprisingly engaged with this book, and even though I keep experiencing it, I'm always so fascinated when something written hundreds of years ago can be relevant today (at times, at least). A very fascinating read, even when I don't agree, and an interesting piece of history.
I also thought showing the translation process and comparisons was very interesting (extra points for that, in my opinion), and made me happy to get a hold of the new version rather than a free old one.
I also thought showing the translation process and comparisons was very interesting (extra points for that, in my opinion), and made me happy to get a hold of the new version rather than a free old one.
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
5.0
I recently started a book titled The Next Decade: Empire and Republic in a Changing World by George Friedman and it relies on the philosophies offered up in Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince. Before starting this new book, I decided to refresh my memory and reread The Prince so that I would go into this new book a little better equipped than I would be without a reread. The book was much as I remembered, but I forgot how much of a proponent Machiavelli was of having a happy population. So, instead of a review of this classic, I’m going to share a few quotes that we all remember (and get the most press), as well as a few that we may forget.
See the quotes at The Book Wheel.
See the quotes at The Book Wheel.
jordanpt's review against another edition
4.0
A mix between utilitarian & pragmatic philosophy looking & people and acts as means to ends. His mix of advise against trusting others was likely heavily influenced by the time lived (very chaotic & violent).
Although easy to imagine parallels to a business setting I think as a whole a Machiavellian approach would be foolish.
I feel most misinterpret the point that it one had to choose it is better to be feared than loved, but never hated. As with context it is better understood as a last resort & "it might perhaps be answered that we should wish to do both".
Machiavelli was also very nationalistic & wanted nothing more than to see Italy prosper again. Which gives better context as to why he was willing to go to the lengths he suggests to acquire a princedom etc
Although easy to imagine parallels to a business setting I think as a whole a Machiavellian approach would be foolish.
I feel most misinterpret the point that it one had to choose it is better to be feared than loved, but never hated. As with context it is better understood as a last resort & "it might perhaps be answered that we should wish to do both".
Machiavelli was also very nationalistic & wanted nothing more than to see Italy prosper again. Which gives better context as to why he was willing to go to the lengths he suggests to acquire a princedom etc
filipa_maia's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Is it a blasphemy if I say that Machiavelli was the first 'lider coach'?
I'm sorry, this is not my kind of book, I know that it is a classic but is not for me.
Even though I completely recognise the brilliance of Machiavelli's writing, the historical but, most of all, the political importance of this book, it was really hard for me to finish this reading.
I'm sorry, this is not my kind of book, I know that it is a classic but is not for me.
Even though I completely recognise the brilliance of Machiavelli's writing, the historical but, most of all, the political importance of this book, it was really hard for me to finish this reading.
susi_sorglos's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.0
Only interesting if you like history or plan to take over a country and establish your own rule. Since I like neither of those, it was kind of boring.