Essential Writings of Machiavelli (Modern Library pbk Edition)

FINALIST--2008 PEN TRANSLATION PRIZEIn 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 Machiavellis 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 featuresvital and concise annotations and cross-referencesthis unique compendium is certain to become the standard one-volume reference to this influential, versatile, and ever timely writer.Machiavelli's stress on political necessityrather thanmoral perfection helped inspire the Renaissance by renewing links with Thucydides and other classical thinkers.

This new collection providesdeeper insight into Machiavellis personality as a writer, thus broadening our understanding of him.Robert D.

Kaplan, author of Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan EthosConstantines selection is not only intelligent; his translations are astonishingly good.

Thoughtfully introduced by Albert Russell Ascoli, this edition belongs in everyones library.John Jeffries Martin, professor and chair, department of history, Trinity UniversityIf one were to assign a single edition of Machiavelli's works, this most certainly would be it.John P.

McCormick, professor, department of political science, University of ChicagoFrom the Trade Paperback edition.