The problem with Machiavelli is that he is right.

We have one political picture in our office. My wife and I are standing between Jim Edgar on the one side-the very icon of good and honorable government-and on the other side, Lee Atwater-a brilliant strategist whose goal was to win at any price. Some viewed Atwater as the modern incarnation of Machiavelli.

But what people mistakenly think is that Machiavelli was a proponent of ruthless politics. Read the book, perhaps repeating some sections, and you see Machiavelli as simply recounting his observations, stripped of all pretense of the goodness of man, and laying bare the distressing reality of government and power.

The problem with Machiavelli is that he is right.

41 people found this helpful

You have to know what you get with The Prince

Any additional comments?

Casual readers beware, you have to know what you are getting when you purchase The Prince. It is difficult to fault the narrator for some of the more boring parts of the book because Machiavelli is just boring sometimes. However, he also has some of the boldest insights into political thought that were hundreds of years before his time and many of which are still applicable today. Brush up on your Italian, Greek, and Roman history and dig in.

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Politics Demonized But Told Like It Is

The Prince, course, was written by Niccolo Machiavelli, and narrated by, Grover Gardner. The western world’s seminal work on power politics. If you read this some time ago, you may have forgotten that it was Italian Florentine power politics. During his initial years of city management the Medici’s had been overthrown by a democratic surge by would be democratic partisans. When Medici returned in 1513 Machiavelli had been removed from power and this work was his effort to show the Prince, the ruler to be that the Prince could learn much by reemploying Machiavelli by demonstrating to the Prince, Machiavelli’s cunning and ruthlessness. In this work Machiavelli postulates how to manage his citizen population, conquer foreign peoples, ones political enemies, and control the European power sources. Simply put political control by cunning, duplicity and if necessary bad faith. The last 25% of the book is a history of Fourteenth Century Northern Italian Wars that exemplify the arguments presented by Machiavelli.

Thus, the book is a primer on how to wield power. Could be a good book for the new American administration to review. Well, let’s hope they do not know what old Niccolo and we are talking about. If you are a political scientist, or just a political junkie, this is required reading.

The terms parted by Machiavelli are put into the simplest verbiage to convey a most complex philosophical understanding of politics or diplomacy based primarily on considerations of given circumstances. Its argument is let’s not hesitate to spread our power to achieve our means notwithstanding the humanity that may stand in the way. Easy to read (listen to) and easy to learn; just hard to bear as a humanistic being. Yet, again and again, Machiavellianism has more often prevailed than it has not.

What I find interesting in the story is that it was written for Lorenzo de Medici, but there is no evidence that Lorenzo ever read the work that was delivered to him as a gift by Machiavelli. Well, if Lorenzo didn’t know better about its importance you do so go ahead. Read it. You will enjoy its demonic character.

13 people found this helpful

Better than Wagland narrated version

Any additional comments?

Very important for the history an influence, this translation has a good introduction and a place where the history is explained.
If you are very interested in the topic the Teaching Company course "Machiavelli in Context", also available here, is the best at truly putting Machiavelli in Context and shedding light on his times and thought (I highly recommend it); The Kreeft Modern Scholar Ethic's course, also available here, is probably the most out-of-context I have listened to... This is a fine addition to either course.

36 people found this helpful

The Devil’s Statecraft

The Prince has an interesting historical reputation. To many, this book represents some of the darkest, yet highly effective methods of achieving political mastery over both friends and enemies. It is very much a product of Machiavelli’s time amongst the warring Italian city-states, but it’s still shockingly applicable to modern day. Basically, this is an extremely real politic view of the world; leave morality at the door and replace it with a sharp dagger and wizened hand. On a related note, it is super weird/creepy that this version of the book is categorized as “self-improvement.”

As for the narration, Grover Gardner is one of my all time favorites. You really couldn’t ask for a better fit for this material. Highly satisfied.

8 people found this helpful

Neither Good Nor Evil

Machiavelli's name has become synonymous with evil and corruption, and it was many years with this understanding that I first encountered this book. Now over 20 years later, I return to it with a far better understanding of the situations he writes about and who the players are, most especially Cesare Borgia, whose successes and ultimate failure were of considerable example to this work.

With this new understanding, I'm able to see the pragmatism behind this book, how as a tool to strengthen the objectives of whoever wields it. That it's become a how-to handbook for the tin pot dictators of history is an unfortunate side effect of its wisdom and simplicity that perhaps Machiavelli foresaw when he opted not to publish it himself. But much like Sun Tzu's The Art of War or the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, this book cannot be judged by those who have taken its instruction in the ages since it was written. This book is truly one for the ages, capable of raising our awareness of both its historical context and of the modern world around us.

8 people found this helpful

Not enough history in my background.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It wasn't wasted, but it would have been more productive if I had possessed the proper historical context for the details discussed.

Would you recommend The Prince to your friends? Why or why not?

I would say it is only for someone who has a good grounding in ancient and Italian history.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He gives a very clear, reading of the material - I always enjoy his work.

Do you think The Prince needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

If it does, it needs some ancient and Italian history, followed by a re-listen.

Any additional comments?

The fault is mine, not the book's. Just trying to broaden my horizons, but I need some lower level broadening before I tackle this one again (which I just might do).

59 people found this helpful

I look at historical events that apply today

Here we have a man who was brought into a position of leadership to help people just to have it taken away. While he was moving toward leadership, while in it and afterwards Machiavelli studied those around him. Looking at what all the leaders around him were doing and wanting to help certain ones to remain in power because of stability this book was written.

I found this book enlightening as it applies to modern life. Whether it’s office politics, politics of any kind this book will be helpful. I had read this book a decade back and didn’t see its significance, but now I do! I recommend reading this book whether you’re in politics or not.

6 people found this helpful

Buyer beware. Know what you are getting

First of all, this book is boring. Incredibly boring. That does it mean it’s not a classic Or that Machiavelli is not correcting his observations. However, most of it is obvious by today’s standards. It is a historical book, it pertains to medieval European politics. If that is not your background or not your interest you may be overwhelmed and wonder what all the fuss is about. I find the Prince a bit like the story of “the emperors new clothes”. People still say it’s great because everyone else says it’s great. Yes, it once was unusual. Honest pragmatic observation was once rare. So it is historically valuable. It does not however, hold up in the way that Shakespeare, Dickens, Plato or Buddha do, still providing insight.

5 people found this helpful

amazing insight into politics that applies today.

Uses historical examples and a biography to demonstrate practical concepts regarding how one seeking political power must relate to those from whom he seeks power. Excellent for the price. Easy to understand.

8 people found this helpful