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Machiavelli: Philosopher of Power
by
Ross King
The author of "The Prince"--his controversial handbook on power, which is one of the most influential books ever written--NiccolO Machiavelli (1469-1527) was no prince himself. Born to an established middle-class family, Machiavelli worked as a courtier and diplomat for the Republic of Florence and enjoyed some small fame in his time as the author of bawdy plays
...morePaperback, 245 pages
Published
November 3rd 2009
by Harper Perennial
(first published May 29th 2007)
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"It was easy to find oneself on the wrong side of the ruler-du-jour in 16th-century Italy, which was controlled by corrupt families and defended by contract soldiers whose loyalties were readily purchased. Machiavelli ventured into this world with his diplomatic acumen, then, when he fell out of favor, turned his ambitious mind to brutal political writings, satirical plays and the occasional courtesan. A theoretician of conspiracy and duplicity, he was also a brilliant observer of his times...more
Pasteurisiert mit 5 von 5 Sternen. Die Biographie des Menschen, der die Macht analysierte.
Ross King erzählt lebendige Geschichte. Spannend und kompetent schreibt er aus dem Leben Niccolò Machiavellis, der als Diplomat unterwegs, als vermeintlicher Verschwörer eingekerkert und gefoltert und als Autor frivoler Theaterstücke und umstrittener Texte, i.e. Il Principe (Der Fürst), weltberühmt/berüchtigt wurde.
In der Zeit Machiavellis Aktivitäten 1498 – 1527 gab es in Italien pausenlos Kriege und Fehde...more
Ross King erzählt lebendige Geschichte. Spannend und kompetent schreibt er aus dem Leben Niccolò Machiavellis, der als Diplomat unterwegs, als vermeintlicher Verschwörer eingekerkert und gefoltert und als Autor frivoler Theaterstücke und umstrittener Texte, i.e. Il Principe (Der Fürst), weltberühmt/berüchtigt wurde.
In der Zeit Machiavellis Aktivitäten 1498 – 1527 gab es in Italien pausenlos Kriege und Fehde...more
انتهيت حالاً من الكتاب..في الحقيقة أسعدكثيراً حين تسنح لي الفرصة لأكتب انطباعي فوراً حال انتهائي من قراءة عمل ما..لعل الأسماء والأماكن أتعبتني بعض الشيء فالسيرة الذاتية حافلة بالأسماء والتواريخ والأحداث المتلاحقة ولا عجب فهي أشبه بدراسة منها لرواية..وحين يحكي الإنسان سيرته الذاتية يشوب حكايته التأثر والانفعال بخطواته حلوها ومرها لكن حين يكتبنا الآخرون يروننا من منظورهم هم أو من منظور الآخرين..
أعود إلى مكيافيللي ذلك الرجل اللغز الذي عامله كثيرون بكثير تأفف لأنه شرير أو داعية شر..جعلتني قراءة...more
أعود إلى مكيافيللي ذلك الرجل اللغز الذي عامله كثيرون بكثير تأفف لأنه شرير أو داعية شر..جعلتني قراءة...more
Before reading this biography, I knew the Machiavellian personas of The Prince and Renaissance drama, and I was also aware that the real Machiavelli was a multi-talented statesman who wasn't nearly as villainous as his later reputation...but that was about it. I had no idea that he wrote bawdy poetry and plays, that he created and trained a (ultimately unsuccessful) citizen militia, that he was imprisoned and tortured, that he wrote the Prince after his forced retirement, or that he had a wife a...more
For what it is, this is a fine volume. I prefer, I must confess, longer biographies. But this is meant as a brief introduction to an important thinker, part of the "Eminent Lives" series.
This book follows Machiavelli's career, from a successful career as a diplomat to an outcast, as power positions changed, to--at the end of his life--something of a player again.
The book considers some of his major works--plays and political tracts, although I wish that there ...more
This book follows Machiavelli's career, from a successful career as a diplomat to an outcast, as power positions changed, to--at the end of his life--something of a player again.
The book considers some of his major works--plays and political tracts, although I wish that there ...more
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Interesting insight into the life and times of Niccolo, specifically covering the formative experiences which led him to develop his analysis of power politics. The book is best for its anecdotes, including one point where Machiavelli is momentarily given command of one of the best fighting forces in Italy, with instructions to parade them. Laughing at the resulting chaos, the general whose troops had been borrowed remarked: "Machiavelli is good at writing about things, whilst I am good at ...more
I think Machiavelli's writings have been taken much too seriously. I think he wanted to be part of the "In" crowd (the Medici family, the pope, or a combination of the two). So he wrote whatever he thought would gain him entrance into the rarefied corridors of power. I think he really had no idea what he was talking about. His treatises on warfare & combat were outdated even before they were printed. I think he just wanted 1. to make some money & 2. to be "somebody." It makes...more
Solid, well written and concise, virtues similar to those of King's books about Michelangelo and Brunelleschi. However, those two dudes were hugely more talented and interesting than Machiavelli, so the book about the latter ends up being on the dull side.
This short bio reveals Machiavelli to be a true *character* with many quirks, gifts and failings, and in general to be much more endearing than his Prince inspired reputation allows. His life was peopled with a Who's Who of famous Florentines, so the setting of his bio is at least as interesting as his personality.
Easy to read and fast paced, this short biography is perfect for someone already at least somewhat familiar with Italian Renaissance history and not wanting to spend too much time on Machiavelli, but seeking to know more about the man than just: "he wrote 'The Prince.'"
This an enjoyable and easy read considering the complicated history of renaissance Italy. I would high recommend it to anyone interested in this period or the genesis of the "end justifies the means" mantra.
Love reading Ross King's books. This book wasn't as good as his other offerings, the topic wasn't as interesting as expected.
I like Ross King and especially enjoyed this clear and fair depiction of a controversial man.
Another interesting insight in the the era of da Vinci, Michelangelo and Machiavelli and renaissance Florence. Machiavelli was not at all what I expected considering his reputation for writing The Prince
classic ross king. well researched and very readable. this book adds a lot of context to the Prince.
not bad
Ross King is great - I'm to blame that the book offered more detailed information than I ever wanted to know about Machiavelli
Ross King is one of the finest young historical writers I've read to date. Although I didn't walk away loving Machiavelli, this piece truly enhanced my understanding of the fickle nature of 15th and 16th century Florentine politics. A chilling parallel can be made to the equivocation and stubbornness of our own modern-day U.S. governments. I added that last part. Much love to Ross King.
A Fascinating book about a very misunderstood man. The Prince didn't even come out until about 200 years after his death, in fact when he was alive, few people even knew about it. He was better know for being a lower tier politician and a play write than anything else. Very intersting
I loved Brunelleschi's Dome and hope this will be equally good
a little less engaging than his other reads. i enjoyed it--just not a lot.
J.E.W.
marked it as to-read
Amadou Taal
marked it as to-read
Nicki
marked it as to-read
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Ross King (born July 16, 1962) is a Canadian novelist and non-fiction writer. He began his career by writing two works of historical fiction in the 1990s, later turning to non-fiction, and has since written several critically acclaimed and best-selling historical...more
More about Ross King...
Ross King (born July 16, 1962) is a Canadian novelist and non-fiction writer. He began his career by writing two works of historical fiction in the 1990s, later turning to non-fiction, and has since written several critically acclaimed and best-selling historical...more
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