For this treatise on statecraft the author drew upon his own experience of office under the turbulent Florentine republic, rejecting traditional values of political theory and recognizing the complicated, transient nature of political life.

'A prince must not have any other object nor any other thought...but war, its institutions, and its discipline; because that is the only art befitting one who commands.' When Machiavelli's brief treatise on Renaissance statecraft and princely power was posthumously published in 1532, it generated a debate that has raged unabated until the present day. Based upon Machiavelli's first-hand ...

Machiavelli made his name notorious for centuries with the Prince, his clever and cynical work about power relationships. The key themes of this influential, and ever timely, writer are that adaptability is the key to success and that effective leadership is sometimes only possible at the expense of moral standards.

How can a leader be strong and decisive, yet still inspire loyalty in his followers? How do you keep your enemies in check? Is it better to be feared than loved? When is it necessary to break the rules? This book answers these questions by examining regimes and their rulers around the world and throughout history.

The Prince offers - some believe with satirical intent - advice on how a ruler should best preserve his power, conduct warfare and maintain his reputation. The Art of War provides a practical handbook for the conduct of Renaissance warfare covering every military contingence that affects the state.

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

Focuses on adaptability as the key to success and that effective leadership is sometimes only possible at the expense of moral standards

Written in 1513 for the Medici, immediately following their return to power in Florence, The Prince remains as relevant a text on the craft of ruling and the exercise of power in today's world, as it was in the 16th century.

Machiavelli's words are as timely today as they were when he first wrote them, more than 500 years ago. This book features details of Machiavelli's eventful life, and examines his work in the context of the time he lived in.

Proposes a system of government that would uphold civic freedom and security by instilling the virtues of active citizenship, and that would also encourage citizens to put the needs of the state above selfish, personal interests. Ambitious in scope, but also pragmatic, this work creates a modern theory of republic politics.

Presents a study of power and politics. This book makes the author's own name a byword for manipulative scheming, and having an impact on such major figures as Napoleon, Frederick the Great and Mussolini.

Today The Prince is still seen as the Bible of realpolitik, read by strategists, businessmen and political animals everywhere as the ultimate guide to gaining and maintaining power in a dangerous world.

Initially denounced as a collection of sinister maxims and a recommendation of tyranny, this text has more recently been defended as the first scientific treatment of politics, challenging the traditions of ancient and medieval thought and morality.

Written in the 16th century as advice from a senior civil servant to the ruling Prince, Lorenzo de Medici, this book is useful for those seeking and attaining power, and gives the listener a psychological insight into character formation.

Suitable for students of history and political theory, this work includes notes, a 2-page map, an index, and an Introduction by David Wootton.

A translation of The Prince .

Machiavelli's commentary on Livy's history of Rome sets out his fundamental preference for a republican state. This translation is richly annotated, providing the contemporary reader with sufficient historical, linguistic, and political information to understand and interpret the revolutionary affirmations Machiavelli made, based on the historical evidence he found in Livy.