Machiavelli: a portrait

Machiavellian used to describe the ruthless cunning of the power-obsessed and the pitiless is never meant as a compliment.

But the man whose name became shorthand for all that is ugly in politics was more engaging and nuanced than his reputation suggests.

Christopher S. Celenza's 'Machiavelli' removes the varnish of centuries to reveal not only the hardnosed political philosopher but the skilled diplomat, learned commentator on ancient history, comic playwright, tireless letter writer, and thwarted lover.