The Prince: Second Edition
Product ID: 3739410
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The most famous and important book on politics ever written The Prince remains as lively and shocking today as when it was written almost five hundred years ago. Initially denounced as a collection of sinister maxims and a recommendation of tyranny, it has more recently been defended as the first scientific treatment of politics as it is practiced rather than as it ought to be practiced. Harvey C. Mansfield's brilliant translation of this classic work, along with the new materials added for this edition, make it the definitive version of The Prince , indispensable to scholars, students, and those interested in the dark art of politics. This revised edition of Mansfield's acclaimed translation features an updated bibliography, a substantial glossary, an analytic introduction, a chronology of Machiavelli's life, and a map of Italy in Machiavelli's time. "Of the other available [translations], that of Harvey C. Mansfield makes the necessary compromises between exactness and readability, as well as providing an excellent introduction and notes."—Clifford Orwin, The Wall Street Journal "Mansfield's work . . . is worth acquiring as the best combination of accuracy and readability."— Choice "There is good reason to assert that Machiavelli has met his match in Mansfield. . . . [He] is ready to read Machiavelli as he demands to be read—plainly and boldly, but also cautiously."—John Gueguen, The Sixteenth Century Journal Review: Excellent translation and volume by Mansfield - I am no devotee of Machiavelli's. Were I rating this on what I consider sound political theory I'd surely be knocking off a few stars. Nevertheless, this is an important book to read, and reflects the climate of American politics more so than, say, Aristotle's Politics. I do think that there is value, however, in the advice Machiavelli offers, but I think one needs to be a person of high virtue to not let it corrupt. On a side, there may even be some nuggets of dating advice here! As regards Mansfield's translation and introduction, these are top notch. There was one question that arose from the group that I was reading with regarding a certain key term -- Intero, which Mansfield translates as 'honest', but which may have other connotations of 'wholeness'. Other than that, a good, readable translation. Review: Mansfield Translation is the Contemporary Classic - Don't buy a lesser translation to save a few dollars. Get the Mansfield.
| Best Sellers Rank | #41,092 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #82 in Political Philosophy (Books) #113 in History & Theory of Politics |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 559 Reviews |
C**R
Excellent translation and volume by Mansfield
I am no devotee of Machiavelli's. Were I rating this on what I consider sound political theory I'd surely be knocking off a few stars. Nevertheless, this is an important book to read, and reflects the climate of American politics more so than, say, Aristotle's Politics. I do think that there is value, however, in the advice Machiavelli offers, but I think one needs to be a person of high virtue to not let it corrupt. On a side, there may even be some nuggets of dating advice here! As regards Mansfield's translation and introduction, these are top notch. There was one question that arose from the group that I was reading with regarding a certain key term -- Intero, which Mansfield translates as 'honest', but which may have other connotations of 'wholeness'. Other than that, a good, readable translation.
K**T
Mansfield Translation is the Contemporary Classic
Don't buy a lesser translation to save a few dollars. Get the Mansfield.
C**.
Excellent Translation
I had to use this book for class, and it was great. Mansfield provides a lot of historical context in the footnotes unlike some other translations. It really helps because Machiavelli makes many, many, many references to historical events and to things that were happening in his own time. Also, M. lies a lot during the book. He will state something that happened in history that supports his argument, but footnotes set the record straight and tell you when M. is being intentionally deceiving. It’s a great translation and one I will come back to when I decide to read it again.
A**.
Advance translation
The translation utilizes complex terminology, making it challenging to comprehend without advanced vocabulary.
W**E
Understanding can include conquest or control, yet conquest is often too busy to understand.
I have learned much through Machiavelli and Prof. Mansfield. Machiavelli has seemed to captivate most of the reviewers. He certainly has been and continues to be an effective Prince. I personally find fascinating the way in which Machiavelli has used Christian means to promote unChristian ends. Capture the mind and the bodies will follow. The hidden launcher of the modern project and his adept successors have largely succeeded in distorting natural law and its Author. Nature or natures are still stronger and more stabile than moderns realize and yet more malleable than the ancients thought. We can all be thankful for the best in the modern project without becoming too captivated by its founder or unarmed prophet.
K**E
College read
College read! Good even now!
S**W
Bought for School
Nice inexpensive copy for school. The book is quite interesting.
T**Y
As if he were alive today
Easy to read. Valuable lessons about leadership which still apply today. It’s as if he were alive today describing many of our world leaders . His analogies using historic leaders help translate his messages into messages we can understand. Enjoyed the book!
P**A
Well worth the money
This is the real Mansfield translation and the best translation there is . Short and crisp for anyone wanting to dive into Machiavelli. Yes it is a bit expensive but the quality of the book and it’s contents are well worth the price.
N**O
Astonishing
It's astonishingly gorgeous. I'm talking about the quality of the book. The content was good too. I recommend it to those who enjoys politics.
J**N
Books
I personally don't like the way its written. It's unreadable for me. Other editions are great but just not this.
D**K
His Excellence is excellent!
Exactly what I wanted (edition and condition). Came quickly to me as well.
C**B
A must read
If you work in Finance you must read this book. Man is a political animal, Plato said it, Machiavelli illustrates it.
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