About this book
"The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli is a political treatise written in 1513 and published in 1532. Presented as an instruction guide for new rulers, this controversial work suggests that immoral acts may be necessary to achieve political power and glory. Written in vernacular Italian rather than Latin, it breaks from traditional advice literature by focusing on practical effectiveness over abstract ideals. Its worldview challenged dominant Catholic doctrines of the time, making "Machiavellian" synonymous with political cunning and contributing to modern negative connotations of politics itself.
Summary by Project Gutenberg.
Details
- Author
- Niccolò Machiavelli, 1469–1527
- Translator
- W. K. Marriott, died 1927
- Written
- 1513
- Form
- Political treatise
- Language
- English
- Genre
- History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750), Philosophy & Ethics, Politics
- Reading level
- Somewhat difficult to read
- Readers
- 45,102 downloads from Project Gutenberg in the last 30 days
- Free since
- 11 February 2006, on Project Gutenberg
- Wikipedia
- Read about this book
Topics
State, The · Early works to 1800Political science · Philosophy · Early works to 1800Political ethics · Early works to 1800JC