Rating: 
Summary: A classic ...
Review: "The Prince" is one of the classics you cannot do without, if you want to understand the dynamics of power. Here, Machiavelli tells us how to achieve (and mantain) power.This short book is profoundly innovative, because Machiavelli leaves aside everything that is not directly relevant to political theory, thus giving the opportunity for the birth of an autonomous political science. Previously, considerations of rigth and wrong were deeply connected with debates regarding power, the good prince or the perfect regime. After "The Prince" that wasn't necessarily true anymore. Machiavelli believed that, in order to be able to study correctly political facts and events, he needed to get rid of the illusions that had clouded the vision of previous generations (for example, the possibility of eliminating evil). In that respect, he could be described as the first truly modern thinker. Sheldon Wolin says that Machiavelli gave the new science of the art of ruling as an alternative to the old principle of legitimacy, promising that he could make "a new prince look old". In that respect, "The Prince" was groundbreaking... There are many more ideas in "The Prince" you might find interesting, even if you don't agree with them. Strange as it may seem, this book is as relevant today as it was the day it was written. Of course, some parts of it are outdated, but others might help you to understand the way some leaders behave. In my opinion, that is the main contribution of "The Prince". It helped giving political theory a new direction,yes, but it also allows us to understand a little better what is happening nowadays. I think that is the crucial mission of political books: help us to understand the world, in order to be able to improve it later. My advise?: read it --> it is a classic that somehow has managed to maintain its edge :)
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Summary: How to rule the world in just a few easy steps
Review: Even if you aren't an aspiring politician, Its nice to know that even YOU could preside over a massive dominion if you wanted to.
Rating: 
Summary: Long Reading
Review: It was a good and informative book...but for someone who likes to read action books, or anything that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this is not the book for you. For those of you who like learning about politics, this has a lot of relevence. It can pertain to the present day events in society. Machiavelli's "The Prince" goes into extraordinary detail as to the characterists and needs of traits to be a good ruler. Machiavelli gives the good and the bad points to each trait or characteristic. He also discusses the type of armies a ruler should have or the one's a ruler shouldn't...and he lists the good and the bad sides. I didn't like this book a whole lot because I am a person who likes to be entertained with excitement and adventure. I am an adventuruous person. In my opinion, if you're adventurous and into politics you might like this book. I didn't on the other hand. The only way to really find out about whether you like it or not is to buy it and read it yourself. I can't be the decider of whether or not you like, so choose for yourself.
Rating: 
Summary: You need a long attention span
Review: This book has some good points and is interesting for about five total pages. Personaly i didnt like it a all because its is extremely boring. All it seems to be is a long essay that rambles on and on.
Rating:
Summary: a classic
Review: Machiavelli wrote this masaterpiece for the Prince of Florence as a guide on how to attain power and, once there, how to keep it. The lessons contained therein are as true today as they were in Renaissance Italy 500 years ago. While much of what Machiavelli has to say may seem "underhanded" or even "immoral", this book has been the manual for many who were successful in reaching their political goals - one might even say (in true Machiavellian fashion) that morals have no place in politics... Regardless of one's feelings about the messages of the book, it is an excellent commentary on the human condition, on politics, and especially on those who practice the art. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: A classic?
Review: This book did not hold my interest. Machiavelli does make some good points about politics, but his writing style failed to hold my interest. I don't have much else to say about this book. I apologize if this review was not helpful to you.
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Summary: Not as men SHOULD act, but as they DO act
Review: Machiavelli's immortal treatise on monarchical government, while not necessarily applicable in the strictest of senses today, nevertheless contains many valuable insights pertinent to the modern leader. Machiavelli has gotten a bad rap, and not all of it undeserved, but his work nevertheless contains some extremely valuable information. The likes of Hitler, Napoleon, and Mussolini have counted themselves among Machiavelli's disciples, and the term "Machiavellian" often is synonymous with deceit and evil. So what is the use of Machiavelli today? After all, the book was written over 400 years ago, in the age of feudalism. Despite its age, Machiavelli's advice is very useful today. One of his best qualities is that he sees people for what they are, not what they should be. Where other philosophers concern themselves with how men should act (in an ideal situation), Machiavelli realizes that, in reality, men will not act as they should, and so his focus is on how men actually do act. If he has an overall pessimistic view of mankind, he is not entirely unjustified. Of course, not all of Machiavelli's ideas are acceptable in today's world. Machiavelli asserts that the populous is weak, stupid, and easily contented. And though he believes popular support to be extremely important, he believes so only because this condition adds to the power of the monarchy. In today's world of democracy, this doesn't really fit. And his admonitions that the prince use hypocrisy and deceit whenever convenient are a bit hard to swallow. Still, if you REALLY understand what he's saying, it becomes clear that Machiavelli, while condoning these and other vices, says such unlawful practices should be indulged in ONLY when it will benefit the state. In his eyes, the end should justify the means. In short, Machiavelli's work is a masterpiece of human thinking. We still have much to learn from this old thinker, and do ourselves a great disservice by dismissing his ideas as evil (in fact, his condoning of deceit is exaggerated to some extent). Machiavelli's methods are certainly dated and cruel in many respects, but many of his basic thoughts are very useful in today's world.
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Summary: Ever wonder why politicians are merciless dogs?
Review: Of course you have. Well, here's the answer. Machiavelli's classic text on acquiring and maintaining political power laid the foundation for modern politics, for better or for worse, and remains its bedrock. Machiavelli was an Italian patriot and a long-time member of the Italian hierarchy as a sort of political consultant, having been recently ejected from his position when he wrote this manual. Italy was then in a turbulent political situation, seemingly under attack from all quarters, and very unstable. The author wrote this treatise and sent it to Lorenzo Medici -- the Prince, as it were, who was ultimately responsible for Machiavelli's dispension. Such a loyal patriot was our good author that he actually wrote this book and sent it to him as a gift. Well, what does it contain? Just about everything that anyone would want to know about how to acquire political power, and how to keep it. Machiavelli covers just about every conceivable situation: how to rule a brand new land colonly, or one that has been taken over; how a Prince should bear him or herself; how they should keep faith; how to maintain their army; how to keep tabs on the commoners and the nobles, and much more. He includes many maxims and principles that have been taken up time and time again in the nearly 500 years since the publication of this slim volume. One need only look at the current political landscape to see just how inudated these principles have become in the political philosophies of our world leaders, e.g., Machiavelli's idea that it is better to go to war on your enemy's turf before they come to your own, in order to minimize losses, and his famous statement that it is better to be feared than to be loved -- but try your best not to be hated. Many have condemned the ideas and principles contained herein because they eschew moral and ethical standards in deference to pragmatic political gain. Well, wake up, folks. Politics is a dirty game and always has been. It is viscious, ruthless, and takes no prisoners -- a truly dog-eat-dog world. It is not for the faint of heart. Machiavelli tried to tell us this 500 years ago; it's about damn time we started listening. The writing style used in the book is very, very simple, and it is extremely short. Machiavellis states his points, offers then-contemporay and also classical examples to justify his various points -- and then stops. I agree with what another reviewer said that, if this book was written today, especially by an academic, it would be much, much longer. Machiavellis states clearly what he wants to state, and spends no time on anything else: not a word in the text is wasted. So, who would read this book? Well, if you are looking to enter the field of politics, or to assume a leadership position in general, then you probably already have. If not, you are probably wondering why you are failing. It is also an essential read for anyone in the fields of political science or Rennaisance literature. It is, also, a classic text, a long-surviving piece of Italian Rennaisance literature, and an easy, short, and worthwhile read for the general classical reader.
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Summary: "The Prince" A classic masterpiece!
Review: Machiavelli's "The Prince" is the most realistic and accurate blueprint on how to obtain and hold the influence of power, whether it be through one's own natural ability, through the fortune of others, or through attrition and deception. I found it truly ironic that Machiavelli wrote this passage after he had been removed from his political position, and exiled to his farm that was left to him by his father. It is useful reading for anyone who has ever thought of entering the political field, or any other form of leadership.
Machiavelli's perfect leader would be a person who would willing to gain power through any means necessary. The leader would also be able to effectively decide what type of leadership should be applied no matter what the situation may be. To Machiavelli, "The end; justified the means".
As the translator, Daniel Donno said, "The prince he envisioned would be unencumbered by ordinary ethical and moral values; his prince would be man and beast, fox and lion". Furthermore, Machiavelli goes on to state that the perfect situation for a leader to be in is to be loved and feared at the same time. Although this is a rare occurence, Machiavelli goes on to state that it is much better to be feared as a leader, then loved.
In conclusion, Machiavelli's "The Prince" is a sixteenth century masterpiece that is as true today, as it was when it was written back in the early fifteen hundreds. I would recommend this book to anyone who was considering a career in politics, leadership, as well as the common everyday person. Not only does his writing explain to you what traits are essential and necessary to become an effective and efficient leader, it also shows the everyday person what traits to watch our for and to expect from a leader as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Ideas
Review: Machiavelli presents really great ideas in this bok, which he has written for the prince. A great history/politics book. It was a tad uneventful though.
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