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And even though it was labeled like a chapter, the longest wwas only a few pages; some was as short as two paragraphs.There are many who likes this book, I'm sure. The book written by Machiavelli itself isn't long. What's long is the notes that came after every chapter. To be honest, I've never like these types of books. But for those that don't like required reading like me (I preferred reading for pleasure, not required), this book, while not an easy read, is quite light and might even be enjoyable. But when I started reading it- voila.- it's not that long and boring after all. I bought this book as a reading requirement for one of my class and was dreading how long and archaic it might be. Much better than some other required reading you have to read over the year.
In today's day and age, chances are, if you're on Amazon.com reading this review, you're living in a democracy. It's a great size, and you can take it pretty much anywhere, so if you're like me and tend to cram your reading into your fleeting moments of free time throughout the day, it's perfect. Written as an open letter to a Renaissance-era ruler, Machiavelli prescribes the ins and outs of how to seize, defend and expand a kingdom, using countless historical examples to support his claims.
These moments represent what I personally love about books, and what I consider to be the true power of literature - and Machiavelli's work, despite being a relatively short 129 pages, has them in spades.Unlike a few reviewers, I had no problem with the translation. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I haven't tried reading any other versions, but I found the Enriched Classic version very pleasant and definitely readable; in fact, I was impressed with how well Machiavelli's Italian was translated into such beautiful, flowing English.
Written with an accessible yet supremely elegant prose, I found Machiavelli's most famous work a delightful, provocative chronicle of political realism. Machiavelli seems to unapologetically endorse oppression, violence and cruelty at times, but does so in pragmatic way that will make you question your ideals. It no doubt deserves its status as a classic, and I heartily recommend it to anyone willing to consider politics from a different angle.
However, The Prince finds is true power not in the political answers it offers to its readers, but the difficult questions it raises. You were probably raised to revere democratic and republican ideals, and if that's the case, you will feel uncomfortable reading The Prince at times, although I found this aspect exciting.
There's some good quotes you can use in Facebook too. I almost became a general because I read this. It teaches good strategies.
After many years of hearing and reading about Machiavelli and this timeless classic, I decided to read it for myself. I understand how Machiavelli has earned his "the ends justify the means" reputation - his observations and discussions about rulers maintaining power and control are interesting, logical, and singularly focused.I believe this book is written in such a way that readers will draw their own conclusions about the author's intentions, and the book's main points or themes. Being my first "enriched classic," I was very pleasantly surprised with the notes and commentary in the introduction and at the end of the book. lands that are used to governing themselves, lands acquired by force, lands acquired by heredity, lands acquired by the aid of others, lands acquired by treachery, ecclesiastical lands, etc).
Fate changes, and Machiavelli believed it is best to be bold and aggressive than to be passive - be proactive, not reactive; make things happen vice waiting for things to happen.I now understand why this book has survived through the centuries, and why so many government, corporate, and civilian leaders have read it and talked so much about it - it is one heck of a thought-provoking book that demands great judgment from its readers. For me, the book was more than just a historical analysis of the rulers and regimes of Machiavelli's time, it was his primer for rulers of all times. While he acknowledged that fate plays a large role in the success of rulers, Machiavelli repeatedly stressed that rulers must be able to adapt their methods to fit the realities of the situations they face. If you want to read this classic book, I strongly recommend you exercise your great judgment right from the start by choosing this "enriched classic" version. He argued that rulers should willingly be a blend of good and evil depending on when each is best for them. Not only did I instantly appreciate the book's `classic' status, my experience was enhanced by choosing this "enriched classic" version.
The book's main principle was that rulers are measured by how long they rule, and everything they do should be calculated to strengthening their power and control. They prepared me well for the book, and helped me put Machiavelli's words into meaningful contexts.The book was organized into twenty-six small chapters, each dealing with a specific situation that a ruler is likely to face: dealing with soldiers and mercenaries; how the strength of regimes are measured; how to govern different types of lands and lands acquired by different means (e.g. Machiavelli provided many historical examples to illustrate his points, and show what happens when rulers did not practice his points.
It's a dog-eat-dog world out there. These books are good not only for manipulating but also for avoiding being manipulated. MOST Americans are using these tactics today. My reputation tarnished, my fortune and relationships gone.So you say, I must have been naive, right. It comes as no surprise that those who are looking for power find an excuse to misuse it as a huge relief.
A corrupted society cannot stand. The trend in society right now is to praise this garbage as the answer to all of life's problems, but once its effects become even more pronounced in our society many years from now, I know we will see a turn in the other direction. You say, that is the purpose of these books, right. Instead of working toward a society in which cruelty is minimized, we are working toward our own destruction.It is easy for people to applaud amorality (the easy way) until it happens to them. In only a small amount of time, because of a small number of ruthless people practicing Machiavellian tactics, I lost nearly everything. Yet, there are some attacks for which you cannot prepare a defense because you just cannot see them coming.I find it utterly disgusting to see so many Americans applauding this garbage. So while it is fun to envision a glorious future after these techniques are mastered, I for one have first-hand experience of having them used AGAINST me without any knowledge whatsoever of them happening. I'd already read 'The Prince' and '48 Laws of Power,' had them on my bookshelf, referenced them every day and was aware of what others tried on a daily basis.
After all, if others aren't playing the game, it is so much easier to win, right.Well, things are changing. On the contrary, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anybody. I cannot wait for that day. Everybody is screwing each other over with a smile on their face and their fingers crossed behind their backs. Several years of my life spent for naught.
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