Niccolò Machiavelli's brutally uncompromising manual of statecraft, The
Prince is translated and edited with an introduction by Tim Parks in
Penguin Classics. As a diplomat in turbulent fifteenth-century Florence,
Niccolò Machiavelli knew how quickly political fortunes could rise and
fall. The Prince, his tough-minded, pragmatic handbook on how power really
works, made his name notorious and has remained controversial ever since.
How can a leader be strong and decisive, yet still inspire loyalty in his
followers? When is it necessary to break the rules? Is it better to be
feared than loved? Examining regimes and their rulers the world over and
throughout history, from Roman Emperors to renaissance Popes, from Hannibal
to Cesare di Borgia, Machievalli answers all these questions in a work of
realpolitik that still has shrewd political lessons for today. Tim Parks's
acclaimed contemporary translation renders Machiavelli's no-nonsense
original as alarming and enlightening as when it was first written. His
introduction discusses Machiavelli's life and reputation, and explores the
historical background to the work. Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was born
in Florence, and served the Florentine republic as a secretary and second
chancellor, as ambassador and foreign policy-maker. When the Medici family
returned to power in 1512 he was suspected of conspiracy, imprisoned and
tortured and forced to retire from public life. His most famous work, The
Prince, was written in an attempt to gain favour with the Medicis and
return to politics. If you enjoyed The Prince, you might like Plato's
Republic, also available in Penguin Classics. 'A gripping work, and a
gripping translation' Nicholas Lezard, Guardian 'Tim Parks's swift and
supple new translation brings out all its chilling modernity' Boyd Tonkin,
Independent