The Art of the Machiavellianist


Book Description

"The Art of the Machiavellianist" is an enthralling novel that centres on Joseph, a character deeply influenced by the political philosophies of Niccolò Machiavelli, particularly as outlined in "The Prince." The story begins with Joseph's early exposure to Machiavellian concepts and follows his ascent as he skilfully applies these principles in various spheres of his life. Joseph, portrayed as a complex figure with a keen understanding of human nature, navigates through challenging scenarios in politics, business, and personal relationships. His journey highlights the practical application of Machiavellian tactics, ranging from subtle manipulations to overt power plays. The novel meticulously details his strategies for gaining influence, controlling outcomes, and safeguarding his interests. As the plot progresses, the narrative delves into the psychological aspects of Machiavellianism, examining how traits like manipulation, moral flexibility, and a focus on self-interest play out in Joseph's interactions and decisions. The story provides a rich exploration of the psychological underpinnings of this trait and its manifestation in different environments. A critical aspect of the novel is its exploration of the ethical implications of Machiavellian practices. It engages the reader in a philosophical debate over the morality of Joseph's actions, questioning whether the ends justify the means and the potential moral cost of such tactics on an individual and societal level. Through various subplots and interactions with other characters, the novel presents real-world parallels, drawing comparisons to historical and contemporary figures known for their Machiavellian tactics. These examples serve to ground Joseph's story in a broader context, offering insights into the pervasive influence of Machiavellianism in modern society. In conclusion, "The Art of the Machiavellianist" offers a comprehensive, thought-provoking examination of Machiavellianism through the lens of a captivating fictional narrative. It appeals to readers interested in psychology, philosophy, politics, and the intricate dynamics of power and influence.




Machiavelli


Book Description

A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE In a series of poignant vignettes, a preeminent historian makes a compelling case for Machiavelli as an unjustly maligned figure with valuable political insights that resonate as strongly today as they did in his time. Whenever a tempestuous period in history begins, Machiavelli is summoned, because he is known as one for philosophizing in dark times. In fact, since his death in 1527, we have never ceased to read him to pull ourselves out of torpors. But what do we really know about this man apart from the term invented by his detractors to refer to that political evil, Machiavellianism? It was Machiavelli's luck to be disappointed by every statesman he encountered throughout his life—that was why he had to write The Prince. If the book endeavors to dissociate political action from common morality, the question still remains today, not why, but for whom Machiavelli wrote. For princes, or for those who want to resist them? Is the art of governing to take power or to keep it? And what is “the people?” Can they govern themselves? Beyond cynical advice for the powerful, Machiavelli meditates profoundly on the idea of popular sovereignty, because the people know best who oppresses them. With verve and a delightful erudition, Patrick Boucheron sheds light on the life and works of this unclassifiable visionary, illustrating how we can continue to use him as a guide in times of crisis.




The Art of War


Book Description




Machiavelli


Book Description

A NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE In a series of poignant vignettes, a preeminent historian makes a compelling case for Machiavelli as an unjustly maligned figure with valuable political insights that resonate as strongly today as they did in his time. Whenever a tempestuous period in history begins, Machiavelli is summoned, because he is known as one for philosophizing in dark times. In fact, since his death in 1527, we have never ceased to read him to pull ourselves out of torpors. But what do we really know about this man apart from the term invented by his detractors to refer to that political evil, Machiavellianism? It was Machiavelli's luck to be disappointed by every statesman he encountered throughout his life—that was why he had to write The Prince. If the book endeavors to dissociate political action from common morality, the question still remains today, not why, but for whom Machiavelli wrote. For princes, or for those who want to resist them? Is the art of governing to take power or to keep it? And what is “the people?” Can they govern themselves? Beyond cynical advice for the powerful, Machiavelli meditates profoundly on the idea of popular sovereignty, because the people know best who oppresses them. With verve and a delightful erudition, Patrick Boucheron sheds light on the life and works of this unclassifiable visionary, illustrating how we can continue to use him as a guide in times of crisis.




Machiavelli: The Prince


Book Description

Professor Skinner presents a lucid analysis of Machiavelli's text as a response to the world of Florentine politics.




The Prince


Book Description

Written in the 16th century, The Prince remains one of the most influential books on political theory. Its author, Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat and political theorist, and is considered the father of modern political thought.




The Art of War - Machiavelli


Book Description

In The Art of War, Machiavelli discusses the importance of a strong military organization for the security and success of a state. The book is divided into seven parts and is presented as a dialogue between Fabrizio Colonna, a veteran soldier and strategist, and other fictional characters. Through this format, Machiavelli explores various aspects of war, including soldier training, battle tactics, the use of artillery, and the importance of discipline. One of Machiavelli's main theses in The Art of War is that war must be well-planned and that leaders must be well-informed and prepared. He emphasizes the importance of continuous training of soldiers and the maintenance of a national militia rather than relying on mercenaries, whom he considered unreliable and motivated only by money. Machiavelli also addresses the importance of terrain and geography in war, arguing that a good commander should know the terrain he fights on as well as possible to use it to his advantage. He discusses the role of fortune and chance in war, but highlights that preparation and skill can often overcome these unpredictable factors.




The Art of War & the Prince


Book Description

This Special Edition of The Art of War & The Prince by Machiavelli unites both of Machiavelli?s volumes on strategy so that the philosophy and mechanisms for obtaining power and managing power may be seen as a single entity. Possessed of a great intellect, Niccolo Machiavelli was uniquely suited to examine and explain the important details of statecraft. Machiavelli, like Plato and Pythagoras and Confucius two hundred odd decades before him, saw only one method by which a thinking man, himself not powerful, might do the work of state building, and that was by seizing the imagination of a Prince. With these writings, he has influenced the history of the world.Other Special Editions in this series that deal with the subject of warfare and strategy include:The Art of War By Sun Tzu - Special EditionThe Art of War By Mao Tse-tung - Special EditionThe Art of War By Baron De Jomini - Special Edition




The Cambridge Companion to Machiavelli


Book Description

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) is the most famous and controversial figure in the history of political thought and one of the iconic names of the Renaissance. The Cambridge Companion to Machiavelli brings together sixteen original essays by leading experts, covering his life, his career in Florentine government, his reaction to the dramatic changes that affected Florence and Italy in his lifetime, and the most prominent themes of his thought, including the founding, evolution, and corruption of republics and principalities, class conflict, liberty, arms, religion, ethics, rhetoric, gender, and the Renaissance dialogue with antiquity. In his own time Machiavelli was recognized as an original thinker who provocatively challenged conventional wisdom. With penetrating analyses of The Prince, Discourses on Livy, Art of War, Florentine Histories, and his plays and poetry, this book offers a vivid portrait of this extraordinary thinker as well as assessments of his place in Western thought since the Renaissance.




The Prince + The Art of War (2 Unabridged Machiavellian Masterpieces)


Book Description

This carefully crafted ebook: “The Prince + The Art of War (2 Unabridged Machiavellian Masterpieces)” is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. This eBook presents 2 Political Masterpieces by Niccolò Machiavelli: The Prince & The Art of War. The Prince: Il Principe (The Prince) is a political treatise by the Florentine philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, written c. 1513, published posthumously 1532. The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning how to consider politics and ethics. Machiavelli dedicated The Prince to the ruling Medici of the time, leading some today to still speculate whether the book was a satire. Niccolò Machiavelli asserted that The Prince (president, dictator, prime minister, etc.) does not have to be concerned with ethics, as long as their motivation is to protect the state. It is this questionable belief that in many ways had lead to the modern world as we know it. His assertion was that the head of state must protect the state no matter the cost and no matter what rules he or she breaks in the process. The Art of War: written between 1519 and 1520 and published in 1521. It was the only historical or political work printed during Machiavelli's lifetime. Voltaire said, "Machiavelli taught Europe the art of war; it had long been practiced, without being known." Machiavelli considered The Art of War his greatest achievement. This book teaches how to recruit, train, motivate, and discipline an army, shows the difference between strategy and tactics. Machiavelli does a masterful job of breaking down and analyzing historic battles.