173. Book Review | The Prince By Niccolo Machiavelli

In order for you understand the modern political landscape, it is important to read Machiavelli’s The Prince. It includes detailed and wise accounts of how rulers gain, retain and lose power. The version that I recommend in this video also includes a couple other works by Machiavelli. In these other works, he describes the forms of government and which are most preferable and why.

What can be learned from The Prince?

Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince is a political work that teaches how to rule pragmatically, rather than philosophically. Instead of describing the best form of government, Machiavelli teaches those in power how to remain in power. Unlike Aristotle’s Politics, The Prince is a handbook for leaders. In this book, he explains practical steps for rulers to take given certain situations. In other words, this book reads more like a diagnostic manual for rulers than a treatise on government.

“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”
Niccolo Machiavelli

Grab your copy of The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli, author of The Prince — Portrait of Niccolo Machiavelli

About Niccolo Machiavelli

Machiavelli has become somewhat of a shadowy figure in history. He is often thought of as a very mysterious figure. However, Niccolo Machiavelli was a rather normal politician whose work has likely inspired good and leaders. In fact, he’s not much of a mystery at all. We know quite a bit about him.

Machiavelli was an ambassador and military adviser in the Florentine Republic. But, he was not a highly-ranked figure. That said, his knowledge of history and understanding of politics ensured he had the ear of his superiors. His acumen as a tactful observer helped him to see the big picture and predict outcomes fairly well. If you want to learn more about Machiavelli, you can do that here.