The Prince

This edition includes not only an original translation of The Prince but also several related passages, helping to set Machiavelli’s most famous work in the broader context of his thought.

Provocative, brutally honest, and timeless, Machiavelli’s The Prince is one of the most important yet misunderstood writings in history. In it, Machiavelli lays bare the reality behind politics as it has always been practiced, teaching leaders to avoid the errors and failings of others while also educating those outside of government about what goes on inside the halls of power. This edition offers a new and lively translation of The Prince, written in fluid modern English that is impressively accurate to the original source. It also includes extensive selections from the Discourses on Livy, together with a range of Machiavelli’s other works such as his poetry, his personal correspondence, and the Florentine Histories. The supplemental readings, engaging original introduction, and thorough annotations provided in this edition show the relevance of The Prince to a wide range of themes: human nature, the philosophy of history, and the existential question all rulers face—how to survive in a world that is largely outside of one’s control.