The Prince

by Machiavelli, Niccol

• ISBN13: 9780486272740
• ISBN10: 0486272745
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1992-09-21
• Publisher: Dover Publications

Summary

"This political science classic still has the power to shock, just as it did when first published almost five hundred years ago. Fritz Weaver reads in an appropriately detached manner, for it is this air of objectivity regarding the ruthless pursuit of political power that has made Machiavelli's name synonymous with evil. This quality recording begins and ends with ceremonial music, which sets the right tone for a treatise directed to royalty. A masterpiece of prophecy, psychological insight, and forceful prose, "The Prince "is a classic of realpolitik, stunningly relevant to our times.

Author Biography

The father of modern political theory, Machiavelli proposed that theological imperatives have no place in the political arena — a revolutionary concept for 16th-century Italy. Even though his philosophy is often misunderstood, Machiavelli's works offer fascinating insights into Renaissance government.

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Mentor Edition	p. 7
The various kinds of Government and the ways by which they are established	p. 33
Of Hereditary Monarchies	p. 34
Of Mixed Monarchies	p. 35
Why the Kingdom of Darius, occupied by Alexander, did not rebel against the successors of the latter after his death	p. 43
The way to govern Cities or Dominions that, previous to being occupied, lived under their own Laws	p. 46
Of New Dominions which have been acquired by one's own arms and ability	p. 48
Of New Dominions acquired by the Power of others or by Fortune	p. 52
Of those who have attained the position of Prince by villainy	p. 59
Of the Civic Principality	p. 63
How the strength of all States should be measured	p. 67
Of Ecclesiastical Principalities	p. 69
The different kinds of Militia and Mercenary Soldiers	p. 72
Of Auxiliary, Mixed, and Native Troops	p. 77
The Duties of a Prince with regard to the Militia	p. 81
Of the things for which Men, and especially Princes, are praised or blamed	p. 84
Of Liberality and Niggardliness	p. 86
Of Cruelty and Clemency, and whether it is better to be loved or feared	p. 89
In what way Princes must keep Faith	p. 92
That we must avoid being despised and hated	p. 95
Whether Fortresses and other things which Princes often contrive are useful or injurious	p. 105
How a Prince must act in order to gain reputation	p. 110
Of the Secretaries of Princes	p. 114
How Flatterers must be shunned	p. 116
Why the Princes of Italy have lost their States	p. 118
How much Fortune can do in human affairs and how it may be opposed	p. 120
Exhortation to liberate Italy from the Barbarians	p. 124
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