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.
gabrielhopkins's review against another edition
3.75
I didn't like this translation very much and I am not a fan of the notes being at the back of the book. I like notes in the footnotes instead. Tim park had a better translation
saluki's review against another edition
4.0
“The lion cannot protect himself from traps, and the fox cannot defend himself from wolves. One must therefore be a fox to recognize traps, and a lion to frighten wolves.”
A fascinating insight into the government of Renaissance Italy. Machiavelli contrasts idealistic views with reality, underscoring fundamental weaknesses in human nature, yet advocating a ruthless approach to the pursuit of power. A ruler must master the art of cunning deception as well as maintain an appearance of honour and virtue. A Prince must "...learn 'how not to be good' as protection from unscrupulous men." Even patronage and favours must be measured with care, "...for friendships acquired by a price and not by greatness and nobility of spirit are bought but are not owned, and at the proper time cannot be spent."
Machiavelli describes personal qualities of a successful ruler, the importance of military force, the art of war, wealth, patriotism and even luck as strategies to protect the prince while safeguarding the nation.
The information and ideas in this book are mind-bending and a Machiavellian pursuit of power is scary business if considered in a modern context.
A fascinating insight into the government of Renaissance Italy. Machiavelli contrasts idealistic views with reality, underscoring fundamental weaknesses in human nature, yet advocating a ruthless approach to the pursuit of power. A ruler must master the art of cunning deception as well as maintain an appearance of honour and virtue. A Prince must "...learn 'how not to be good' as protection from unscrupulous men." Even patronage and favours must be measured with care, "...for friendships acquired by a price and not by greatness and nobility of spirit are bought but are not owned, and at the proper time cannot be spent."
Machiavelli describes personal qualities of a successful ruler, the importance of military force, the art of war, wealth, patriotism and even luck as strategies to protect the prince while safeguarding the nation.
The information and ideas in this book are mind-bending and a Machiavellian pursuit of power is scary business if considered in a modern context.
sophieecook's review against another edition
3.0
this was interesting. i'm not planning a coup d'etat so perhaps i'm not the intended audience for this, but the sheer cynicism and immorality of this treatise on ruling as a monarch is honestly staggering. it's clear that while some good points were certainly made, this outlook on life is certainly not a healthy one; here's a snippet that tells you exactly how Machiavelli saw mankind, "We can say this of most people: that they are greedy and unreliable; they lie, they fake, they're greedy for cash and they melt away in the face of danger."
wouldn't recommend this as a self-help book if you're looking to change your way of treating people lol
regardless, reading this while listening to Rachmaninov's piano concertos was certainly an experience
wouldn't recommend this as a self-help book if you're looking to change your way of treating people lol
regardless, reading this while listening to Rachmaninov's piano concertos was certainly an experience
ferris_mx's review against another edition
3.0
Satisfactory. Nothing that hasn't been repeated and embellished in 100 modern books on the nature of power; i.e., nothing shocking. He didn't seem evil, but rather the product of a time and place with great political instability.
Except for the random and horrifying misogynist comment near the end.
Except for the random and horrifying misogynist comment near the end.