Rating: 
Summary: A world without an absolute
Review: What makes The Prince relevant even after 500 years in my view is the flexibility of Machiavelli's view. It is not Machiavelli's theory that reality is molded into; to him, the given are the circumstances, and to those he proposes "remedies." As can be imagined, such approach entails an enumeration of possible options for the given situations, so thus structured is his treatise.The remedy Machiavelli chooses for each given situation is relative to the set of options, and, 1) is independent of moral values (good/evil), 2) is based on the utility/effectiveness of it, and, 3) (as perhaps can be deduced by the previous two qualities) is the _logical_ choice based on common sense. The reader is required to be well versed in neither theory nor classics to appreciate Machiavelli's arguments, though being knowledgeable in the latter would definitely help understanding the dynamics of the examples he writes of. I disagree with people who regard Machiavelli's arguments of being unethical. In other words I refute the prevalent meaning of the word "Machiavellian". I suspect, though without proof, that the word had been coined in a time when stricter moral codes (Christianity) were intact, and have been carried over to this age as convention. I do acknowledge that some of his arguments may sound politically incorrect even in our days, nevertheless think that human beings, rulers if not everyone, have been acting on the basis of his principles from time immemorial.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to read.
Review: A bore. Maybe just because I had to read it for class, and I hated the teacher, but I had an awful time with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting read
Review: An excellent perspective in the legalities, construction, and maintenance of a principality. This book not only does the forementioned feats, but also gives enlightening insight to social interactions amongst the common man, which is relevant even to this day.
Rating: 
Summary: A Truthful Presentation of Politics, However With Problems
Review: This Review refers to the mass market paperback edition of The Prince, composed by Niccolo Machiavelli and as translated/introduced by Daniel Donno. The Prince was and is a pioneering political work. Through this work, Machiavelli describes how a ruler should run their country and behave politically in order to be successful. The varied topics covered include everything from how to keep up public opinion to how to choose advisors. The introduction by the translator, Daniel Donno, describes the author as well as various aspects of his life, and includes a letter by Machiavelli. A rather small selection from The Discourses follows The Prince, providing further information on political concepts. There is also a chronology and extensive notes on both the primary work and the brief selection. The truthfulness as to how to conduct political matters in a ruler's situation at the time is startling. The concepts and methods conveyed in this work would prove quite useful for leaders wishing to sustain their control over their populace as well as for citizens wishing to gain some sort of political power. However, The Prince focuses on the political positions of the time and is therefore not as relevant in modern times as they were at its publication. Despite this fact, there is still an abundance of accurate and usable information pertaining to the said topic. The selections from The Discourses are much more useful to modern politicians and a modern governmental founding than The Prince. Throughout the introduction, the translator presents a literary style that leans towards a more informal tone, often praising the author. The translation Donno provides is a modern one, which is more pleasing to today's reader. The translation is of good presentation, often with useful explanatory endnotes that aid the reader in understanding the ideas presented throughout the text. On this note, Machiavelli fails to explain his examples properly, often leading to the need of the said endnotes. To say the least, the author expects the reader to have a good knowledge base concerning the history of Europe and the events of the time the book received its first publication. The style is assertive, which has its good qualities as well as bad. Overall, The Prince provides a modern literary style without proper elaborations. The introduction is slightly biased, but still relevant. The selections from The Discourses are a welcome addition, although it would have been more so had the selection been larger. A good political work with a few problems, The Prince deserves a place in any political collection.
Rating:
Summary: Machiavelli tells it like it is
Review: A book describing tactics for politics and warfare, this illustrates the gains that can be exploited when power is mixed with an understanding of human nature. Critics and utopian dreamers deride Machiavelli as a manipulative fascist, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Machiavelli simply understands the concepts of ambition and sociology, among many other things. These very instinctive human traits may be at times deplorable, but Machiavelli didn't invent them. He's just pointing them out and showing how they're used to further one's pursuits. A very interesting read indeed.
Rating:
Summary: Must reading if you wish to consider yourself well read
Review: I read Machiavelli at age 25, right after I graduted college. I found it a tad dry and boring but I still learned from it. Anyone who wishes to be able to argue and win or "manipulate" others <hehehe> should read Machiavelli. Required reading for all attorneys, politicians, military officers and anyone else in any serious leadership position. Or anyone who just wishes to be well read. Eric
Rating: 
Summary: Loads of Machiavellis out there even today...
Review: Certain reviewers have argued that "The Prince" lacks in modern relevance. While there is merit to this point one must also entertain these thoughts:
-Machiavelli wrote this guidebook to serve the rulers of his time and not ours, but more importantly:
-had he lived in our times his book would've been as accurate as it was for when he lived. This is obvious by the fact of how well he has grasped human nature. Indeed, "The Prince" is a handbook on how to rule a nation, a kingdom or a folk in easy steps. He asserts that a leader must understand basic human nature function in order to be a succesful leader. By "succesful" he doesn't (obviously) mean "good to the people" but that he doesnt lose his grip on power. "Unsuccesful" in machiavellian terms means merely to lose power due to ineefective leadership. And what would "innefective" then mean? Innefective, in that sense, would mean a leader who does not know how to implement fear but simoultaneously respect (a tight rope that one), a leader who isn't constantly watching his subordinates for suspicious behaviours and who doesnt take measures to keep them "satisfied" (jump from one rope onto another then), a leader who doesnt understand the pulse of the people he rules over thus putting himself in danger of being overthrown, a leader who doesn't grasp the basic techniques of manipulation of the people may those be through religion, education, or direct politics. Machiavelli's advice moves along those lines as he tries to aid the "Prince" in overcoming these difficulties (political counseling anyone?). This book has been termed "cynical" because it promotes ruthlessness, cunning, and manipulation. Well, anybody who doesnt understand that this is what politics are all about to begin with has a very shallow definition of cynicism. The "Prince" is fundamentally honest, and yes, while cynicism is basically honesty expressed in emphasis Macchiavelli is not a cynic, that's not his intention(s), he was just a very servile political advisor of his time and he was quite good at doing his job.
Problem is, the world has always been full of Machiavellis especially when one looks at the ruling "elite". The interesting part? Most of them have not even read machiavelli by all probabilities. They wouldn't need to, since human nature becomes anyway corrupted by power, and when it does, it then automatically functions in "Machiavellian" frequencies.
That's precisely the logical fault that certain people make when they argue about the "relevance" of this book in modern times. The relevance is direct and self evident. It lies in the effect of power (and the means to keep it) and human nature as it becomes corrupted by it. If one reads the modern political handbooks available he will find that they all repeat fundamentally the same techniques. Yes they have adapted to current balances, but if you want to read the "Prince" and "enjoy" its straightforwardness then you have to use a little (just a little) imagination.
Rating:
Summary: Treatise on Power
Review: Perhaps one of the most misunderstood books ever written, the Prince by Niccolo Macchiaveli is a must read if for no other reason than to dispell the horrible misinterpretations of the author's intent. The Prince is a collection of essays for a young Medeci prince (Florence, Italy), who must learn how to be a good leader. The ends, for Macchiaveli, do not justify the means. Many of us oversimplify the role of the modern statesman, assuming that those with the power will always rule. Macchiaveli, however, analyzes the role of the Prince in creating, keeping, and maintaining order. Those with power, as we well know do not always keep their power. The Prince is the cornerstone of much of our modern political philosophy. At the heart of the Prince is man's ability to become better through knowledge. Even a Prince needs instruction.
Rating:
Summary: Great Advice for princes, but you are not a Prince are You?!
Review: Read it, but don't follow it.
Rating:
Summary: How to rule the world...
Review: How to rule the world when the rest of the world is ruled by wimps! Not really, but this book proves that strong, aggressive leaders are the only ones who can get things done (even look at more recent history - Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain are a perfect example). This book not only talks about how to reign supreme, but how to avoid scandal, etc. Perfect for the young ambitious politicians and business executives out there. This edition in particular is good too because it has several things most others don't - a lengthy introduction explaining Machiavelli's character, and some recorded history by Machiavelli (History of the Duke Valentino's Conquests, Life of Castruccio Castracani) all in all a good read, and a word of advice to those ambitious and forgetful - write commentaries after every chapter, it helps with language skills and you'll have philosophical points on paper an easier to access.
| 
