Niccolo Machiavelli's brutally uncompromising manual of statecraft, The Prince i
s translated and edited with an introduction by Tim Parks in Penguin Classics. A
s a diplomat in turbulent fifteenth-century Florence, Niccolo Machiavelli knew h
ow 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 r
emained controversial ever since. How can a leader be strong and decisive, yet s
till 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 wor
ld over and throughout history, from Roman Emperors to renaissance Popes, from H
annibal to Cesare di Borgia, Machievalli answers all these questions in a work o
f realpolitik that still has shrewd political lessons for today. Tim Parks's acc
laimed contemporary translation renders Machiavelli's no-nonsense original as al
arming and enlightening as when it was first written. His introduction discusses
Machiavelli's life and reputation, and explores the historical background to th
e work. Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) was born in Florence, and served the Flo
rentine 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. H
is most famous work, The Prince, was written in an attempt to gain favour with t
he Medicis and return to politics. If you enjoyed The Prince, you might like Pla
to's Republic, also available in Penguin Classics. 'A gripping work, and a gripp
ing translation' Nicholas Lezard, Guardian 'Tim Parks's swift and supple new tra
nslation brings out all its chilling modernity' Boyd Tonkin, Independent
