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The Essential Writings of Machiavelli

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The Essential Writings of Machiavelli

FINALIST--2008 PEN TRANSLATION PRIZE In "The Essential Writings of Machiavelli," Peter Constantine has assembled a comprehensive collection that shows the true depth and breadth of a great Renaissance thinker. Refreshingly accessible, these superb new translations are faithful to Machiavelli's original, beautifully crafted writings. The volume features essays that appear in English for the first time, such as "A Caution to the Medici" and "The Persecution of Africa." Also included are complete versions of the political treatise, "The Prince," the comic satire "The Mandrake," "The Life of Castruccio Castracani," and the classic story "Belfagor," along with selections from "The Discourses, The Art of War," and "Florentine Histories," Augmented with useful features-vital and concise annotations and cross-references-this unique compendium is certain to become the standard one-volume reference to this influential, versatile, and ever timely writer. "Machiavelli's stress on political necessity rather than moral perfection helped inspire the Renaissance by renewing links with Thucydides and other classical thinkers. This new collection provides deeper insight into Machiavelli's personality as a writer, thus broadening our understanding of him." -Robert D. Kaplan, author of W"arrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos" "Constantine's selection is not only intelligent; his translations are astonishingly good. Thoughtfully introduced by Albert Russell Ascoli, this edition belongs in everyone's library." -John Jeffries Martin, professor and chair, department of history, Trinity University "If one were to assign a single edition of Machiavelli's works, thismost certainly would be it." -John P. McCormick, professor, department of political science, University of Chicago

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Customer reviews of The Essential Writings of Machiavelli

Customer rating: 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
November 6, 2008
By Forrest, Plattsburgh, NY

"Peter Constantine has produced a translation of the major works of this great Renaissance scholar of human nature. He has transcended many of the translations that lack the spirit and the depth of Machiavelli's critical study of human behavior. One is immediately refreshed, and moved beyond second-hand critiques, often of inadequate translations of language that is bold, fresh and vibrant. This is a book for historians and scholars, and surely for anyone who seeks to grasp the complexities of human behavior in political circumstances. Machiavelli's search for stability in uncertain times is a very useful guide for we 'moderns' who too often forget ancient truths in social behavior."

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