Machiavelli

by Quentin Skinner

Overview

Niccolo Machiavelli taught that political leaders must be prepared to do evil that good may come of it, and his name has been a byword ever since for duplicity and immorality. Is his sinister reputation deserved? In answering this question Quentin Skinner focuses on three major works, The Prince, the Discourses, and The History of Florence, and distills from them an introduction to Machiavelli of exemplary clarity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781402775291
Publisher:	Sterling
Publication date:	05/04/2010
Series:	A Brief Insight Series
Pages:	157
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.20(h) x 0.70(d)
Lexile:	1440L (what's this?)

About the Author

Quentin Skinner is the Regus Professor of Modern History at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Christ's college. His numerous books on such subjects as political theory have been translated into many languages. In 1979, his two-volume study The Foundations of Modern Political Thought won the Wolfson Literary Prize.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1. The Diplomat; 2. The Adviser to Princes; 3. The Philosopher of Liberty; 4. The Historian of Florence.

What People are Saying About This

James E. Goldrick

An exceptionally lucid biographical sketch and analysis of Machiavelli's ideology. For beginning students of this subject, I have never found anything better.
—(James E. McGoldrick, Cedarville College)

Marcia L. Colish

[An] excellent brief study, incorporating much recent research effectively without losing the author's own distinctive viewpoint. Lucidly written. A fine contribution.
—(Marcia L. Colish, Oberlin College)

Editorial Reviews

"[An] excellent brief study, incorporating much recent research effectively without losing the author's own distinctive viewpoint. Lucidly written. A fine contribution."—Marcia L. Colish, Oberlin College

"An exceptionally lucid biographical sketch and analysis of Machiavelli's ideology. For beginning students of this subject, I have never found anything better."—James E. McGoldrick, Cedarville College

From the Publisher