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The book written by Machiavelli itself isn't long. I bought this book as a reading requirement for one of my class and was dreading how long and archaic it might be. To be honest, I've never like these types of books. What's long is the notes that came after every chapter. But when I started reading it- voila.- it's not that long and boring after all. Much better than some other required reading you have to read over the year. And even though it was labeled like a chapter, the longest wwas only a few pages; some was as short as two paragraphs.There are many who likes this book, I'm sure. But for those that don't like required reading like me (I preferred reading for pleasure, not required), this book, while not an easy read, is quite light and might even be enjoyable.
Written with an accessible yet supremely elegant prose, I found Machiavelli's most famous work a delightful, provocative chronicle of political realism. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Machiavelli seems to unapologetically endorse oppression, violence and cruelty at times, but does so in pragmatic way that will make you question your ideals.
However, The Prince finds is true power not in the political answers it offers to its readers, but the difficult questions it raises. I haven't tried reading any other versions, but I found the Enriched Classic version very pleasant and definitely readable; in fact, I was impressed with how well Machiavelli's Italian was translated into such beautiful, flowing English. Written as an open letter to a Renaissance-era ruler, Machiavelli prescribes the ins and outs of how to seize, defend and expand a kingdom, using countless historical examples to support his claims.
These moments represent what I personally love about books, and what I consider to be the true power of literature - and Machiavelli's work, despite being a relatively short 129 pages, has them in spades.Unlike a few reviewers, I had no problem with the translation. In today's day and age, chances are, if you're on Amazon.com reading this review, you're living in a democracy. You were probably raised to revere democratic and republican ideals, and if that's the case, you will feel uncomfortable reading The Prince at times, although I found this aspect exciting.
It's a great size, and you can take it pretty much anywhere, so if you're like me and tend to cram your reading into your fleeting moments of free time throughout the day, it's perfect. It no doubt deserves its status as a classic, and I heartily recommend it to anyone willing to consider politics from a different angle.
I almost became a general because I read this. It teaches good strategies. There's some good quotes you can use in Facebook too.
Being my first "enriched classic," I was very pleasantly surprised with the notes and commentary in the introduction and at the end of the book. The book's main principle was that rulers are measured by how long they rule, and everything they do should be calculated to strengthening their power and control. After many years of hearing and reading about Machiavelli and this timeless classic, I decided to read it for myself. Machiavelli provided many historical examples to illustrate his points, and show what happens when rulers did not practice his points. If you want to read this classic book, I strongly recommend you exercise your great judgment right from the start by choosing this "enriched classic" version. They prepared me well for the book, and helped me put Machiavelli's words into meaningful contexts.The book was organized into twenty-six small chapters, each dealing with a specific situation that a ruler is likely to face: dealing with soldiers and mercenaries; how the strength of regimes are measured; how to govern different types of lands and lands acquired by different means (e.g. For me, the book was more than just a historical analysis of the rulers and regimes of Machiavelli's time, it was his primer for rulers of all times.
He argued that rulers should willingly be a blend of good and evil depending on when each is best for them. Not only did I instantly appreciate the book's `classic' status, my experience was enhanced by choosing this "enriched classic" version. While he acknowledged that fate plays a large role in the success of rulers, Machiavelli repeatedly stressed that rulers must be able to adapt their methods to fit the realities of the situations they face. lands that are used to governing themselves, lands acquired by force, lands acquired by heredity, lands acquired by the aid of others, lands acquired by treachery, ecclesiastical lands, etc). I understand how Machiavelli has earned his "the ends justify the means" reputation - his observations and discussions about rulers maintaining power and control are interesting, logical, and singularly focused.I believe this book is written in such a way that readers will draw their own conclusions about the author's intentions, and the book's main points or themes. Fate changes, and Machiavelli believed it is best to be bold and aggressive than to be passive - be proactive, not reactive; make things happen vice waiting for things to happen.I now understand why this book has survived through the centuries, and why so many government, corporate, and civilian leaders have read it and talked so much about it - it is one heck of a thought-provoking book that demands great judgment from its readers.
After all, if others aren't playing the game, it is so much easier to win, right.Well, things are changing. You say, that is the purpose of these books, right. So while it is fun to envision a glorious future after these techniques are mastered, I for one have first-hand experience of having them used AGAINST me without any knowledge whatsoever of them happening. I'd already read 'The Prince' and '48 Laws of Power,' had them on my bookshelf, referenced them every day and was aware of what others tried on a daily basis. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there. Everybody is screwing each other over with a smile on their face and their fingers crossed behind their backs. It comes as no surprise that those who are looking for power find an excuse to misuse it as a huge relief. On the contrary, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody.
The trend in society right now is to praise this garbage as the answer to all of life's problems, but once its effects become even more pronounced in our society many years from now, I know we will see a turn in the other direction. These books are good not only for manipulating but also for avoiding being manipulated. A corrupted society cannot stand. Several years of my life spent for naught. MOST Americans are using these tactics today. Yet, there are some attacks for which you cannot prepare a defense because you just cannot see them coming.I find it utterly disgusting to see so many Americans applauding this garbage.
In only a small amount of time, because of a small number of ruthless people practicing Machiavellian tactics, I lost nearly everything. My reputation tarnished, my fortune and relationships gone.So you say, I must have been naive, right. Instead of working toward a society in which cruelty is minimized, we are working toward our own destruction.It is easy for people to applaud amorality (the easy way) until it happens to them. I cannot wait for that day.
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