In the more than 500 years that have passed since its publication, Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince has not ceased to be a major subject of discussion – or of controversy. Banned for years by the Roman Catholic Church, and fulminated against by many others, Machiavelli's seminal book nevertheless remains a touchstone of Western political thought and an essential text for our own turbulent times.
By reading The Prince, students will not only become better acquainted with Machiavelli as a historical figure, but they will also obtain a key to understanding the deeds and preoccupations of statesmen all over the world. Additionally, the study of Machiavelli and The Prince can serve as an...