Introducing Machiavelli: A Graphic Guide

Introducing Graphic Guides

by Patrick Curry, Oscar Zárate (Illustrator)

Nicolò Machiavelli's The Prince remains controversial in its electrifying frankness as a practical guide to power. Is it a how-to manual for dictators, or a subtle analysis of successful government? Introducing Machiavelli traces the colorful life of this paradoxical realist whose clear-sighted patriotism made him the first truly modern political scientist.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Comics, Graphic Novels

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

I hold a B.A. (University of California at Santa Cruz, 1978, in Psychology, with highest honours), M.Sc. (L.S.E., 1980, in Logic and Scientific Method), and Ph.D. (University College London, 1987, in the History and Philosophy of Science).

Since September 2006 I have been a Lecturer (0.5) in Religious Studies at the University of Kent (Canterbury), where I teach in the MA programme on the Cultural Study of Cosmology and Divination. From 2002-06 I was a Lecturer (0.5) at the Sophia Centre, Bath Spa University College, where I co-taught the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astronomy.

I have reviewed books for History Today, New Statesman, The Guardian, The Independent and (most often) the Times Literary Supplement; appeared on two television programmes; and taken part in two programmes on BBC Radio Four. I also appear in interviews of two of the three extended New Line DVD’s on The Lord of the Rings.

My ongoing project (when I get time) concerns enchantment as a common but little-mentioned human experience – one which touches on and connects a wide range of strange bedfellows: nature, erotic communion, art, divination and spirituality. It is influenced by the work of Max Weber and succeeding critical theorists, as well as other writers such as as J.R.R. Tolkien, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl, David Abram, Sean Kane, Val Plumwood, Bruno Latour and Eduardo Viveiros de Castro. I am also very interested in related issues such as the nature of truth, metaphor, embodied phenomenology, pluralism and post-secularism.

Reviews

[Arman · Rating 3 out of 5]

این کتاب نقاط قوت و نقاظ ضعفی داره

نقطه قوتش، تصویرپردازی های قوی ای هست که توی تمام صفحات انجام شده و خب طبیعتاً کار ناشر اصلی و خارجی کتابه و ربطی به ناشر داخلی نداره. آدم می تونه متصور بشه که چه زحمت زیادی برای این نقاشی ها صورت گرفته

یک خلاقیت دیگه ای هم که به کار برده شده اینه که نویسنده های کتاب اومدن یک شخصیت انتزاعی از ماکیاولی توی عصر حاضر ایجاد کردند و از اواسط کتاب، نظرات ماکیاولی اصلی و ماکیاولی انتزاعی و مدرن رو در کنار هم میذارن و جالبیش اینجاست که عموماً با هم اختلاف نظر دارن

اگه بخوام خیلی کوتاه راجع به اینکه "ماکیاولی که بود و چه کرد؟" بنویسم؛ باید بگم که این شخص کسی بوده که توی قرن چهاردهم توی ایتالیا زندگی می کرده و علاقه خاصی به سیاست داشته و یه پست سیاسی نه چندان بزرگی توی این کشور داشته، اما طی فعل و انفعالاتی از پستش خلع میشه و زندانی میشه و شکنجه میشه و بعدش هم مورد عفو قرار می گیره. ایشون که نمی تونسته دوری از پست های سیاسی رو تحمل کنه، شروع می کنه به نوشتن یه کتاب نصیحه الملوکانه به اسم "شهریار" تا اون رو به حاکمان وقت هدیه بده و دوباره به یه پست سیاسی برسه. هرچند که این هدیه مورد بد گمانی حاکمان قرار می گیره و ترفند ماکیاولی درست از آب در نمیاد، اما چنان توصیه های نوشته شده در این کتاب هوشمندانه و فراتر از اون زمانه بوده که حتی در سال 2015، همچنان کتاب "شهریار" و تئوری های مطرح شده داخلش به عنوان یکی از کاربردی ترین کتاب ها در جهت اداره امور حکومت ها و مردم به شمار میره

این توصیه ها البته به هیچ وجه مردم پسندانه و محبوب نیست، بلکه دقیقا راه هایی رو پیش روی حکما قرار میده تا مردم تحت امرشون رو ساکت و در حال ترس نگه دارند و فقط به طول دوره حاکمیتشون اضافه کنند و پایه های قدرت رو محکم تر و محکم تر کنند

نقطه ضعف کتاب اینه که کتاب دلچسبی برای خوندن نیست. نمی دونم مشکل از نویسنده های کتابه یا مترجمش، ولی لحن جذاب و گیرایی نداره. مثلا من قبل از این که این کتاب رو بخونم، تنها یک چیز راجع به ماکیاولی می دونستم و اون ماجرای مرگ مرموزش بود. اینکه داستان مرگش غیر واقعی بوده و چندین سال بعد مردم می فهمن که زنده ـست (چیزی که به توپاک شکور؛ رپر آمریکایی هم نسبت میدادن و حتی شباهتهایی هم توی مرگ این دو نفر دیده میشد) اما چیز به خصوصی راجع به مرگ ماکیاولی ننوشته بود

صادقانه توصیه نمی کنم که بخونید، چون احتمالا منابع بهتری از این کتاب هم توی اینترنت یا توی کتاب های دیگه می تونه وجود داشته باشه

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to one of the most profound and misunderstood political philosophers.

[Castles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good introduction to Machiavelli and the influence of his theory on our time.

[David Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read, it introduces the basic ideas proposed by Machiavelli, not just in the prince but in it's life and other works, with the right context.

It also goes through some examples of leaders in history and how they have failed or succeeded in applying his ideas.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent introduction to the ideas and the times in which Machiavelli lived. It also looks at why he was considered a master political manipulator and why it is somewhat undeserved.

[Hojjat Saki · Rating 4 out of 5]

قضاوت ماکیاولی صرفا بر اساس شهریار کار درستی نیست کتاب مهمتر او گفتارها هست ...

[Eswar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book that is far more than a summary of Machiavelli. It introduces the context of Machiavelli’s time, his predecessors, the (ever changing, dynamic) political landscape, and his biography before delving into his exile and the writing if The Prince. It interweaves his trials and tribulations by summarizing his works literary and stage, showing how his ideologies change through time.

I really enjoyed hearing how Machiavelli is neither Left nor Right from a political landscape and understood the origins of his vilification. I appreciated how the end of the book ties in later philosophical thought to Machiavelli’s philosophy and how he would perceive them. The book clearly tries to dispel the myth that Nicolo Machiavelli was the devil incarnate - it is equally clear who would have leveled that allegation at him.

[kewan alghofaily · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكتاب بأكمله يعتمد على الصور والرسوم التوضيحية

مما اعجبني:
من النصائح للأمير المنتظر:
١. لايعتمد على قدرته على الاستمالة والإقناع بل لابد أن يكون قادرًا على أن يقف وحده دون أن يعتمد على الآخرين
٢. إن أراد أن يحافظ على اشتهاره بالسخاء فسوف يؤدي إلى فرض ضرائب باهظة على شعبه مما يجعل رعاياه يكرهونه، لذلك ينبغى عليه أن يكون بخيل
٣. من الأفضل أن يكون مرهوب على أن يكون محبوبًا، لأن طبيعة الناس تجحد المعروف

"قيمة الدين تعتمد على إلهام الشعب في المحافظة على الناس أخيارًا وجعل الأشرار يخجلون"
"إذا كانت ديانتنا تطلب منك أن تكون قويًا، فإنها تطلب منك أن تكون قويًا في تحمل المعاناة، وليس قويًا لتقوم بأعمال جريئة"

[Biblioteca de evocaciones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sirve como aproximación a la obra de Maquiavelo pero ahonda demasiado en el pensamiento personal del divulgador, algo que es muy común en esta serie de libros pero en este caso se nota más; es molesto porque se trata de compilar en pocas páginas los conceptos básicos de este gran pensador y se va demasiado por las ramas. Cuenta las ideas básicas de sus obras políticas como EL PRÍNCIPE y DISCURSOS pero no deja de lado otras más pequeñas tales como LA HISTORIA DE FLORENCIA, EL ARTE DE LA GUERRA o la comedia de ficción LA MANDRÁGORA. Por mí aprueba con lo justo pero debo admitir que la pasé muy bien leyéndolo.

[Jaime Portillo De la O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente librito para Maquiavelo, quien comúnmente es malentendido. Por ejemplo "El fin justifica los medios." Pero nadie dice: "Si el fin es bueno." que está en el contexto de su obra más conocida.

A través de entretenidas páginas, logramos entender un contexto en el que se escriben sus obras, incluyendo El Príncipe. Lugares donde artistas del máximo renombre universal, turbias situaciones políticas que sentarían el precedente para las adaptaciones modernas de estados europeos, las relaciones directas con el clero y el poder político de entonces.

Historia viva y un entendimiento entretenido de su contexto en Maquiavelo para principiantes.

[Elīna · Rating 3 out of 5]

People call him the devil and yet he was pretty sane considering his time.
As i'm not a big fan of politics but who is intrigued by his personality, this really was a great introduction into his general beliefs and morals. Even if they were a bit radical for that time.
There were things i disagreed upon, nevertheless, his points were decent.
His works are only further prove that people will interpret things to their own liking, trying to benefit from whatever they get their hands on...aghm, the Bibel for example.

[Fatemeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

این کتاب، به طور خلاصه و گذرا، اندیشه‌ی ماکیاولی و شرایط زندگیش رو توضیح میده. هم‌چنین به بستر تاریخی و وقایع مهمی که در اون زمان اتفاق افتاده اشاره میکنه. بعد از اون هم تاثیر کتاب‌های ماکیاولی بر اندیشمندان مختلف و نسبت اون با نظام‌های سیاسی جدیدتر رو توضیح میده. هر صفحه نقاشی‌های مرتبطی داره که باعث میشه متن هم کوتاه‌تر باشه. یعنی کل کتاب که حدود ۱۷۵ صفحه است، تقریبا به اندازه‌ی ۸۰ صفحه متن داره و خیلی سریع خونده میشه.

[Nibir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A reinterpretation of the Actual Machiavelli

Bad press has rendered the term "Machiavellian" with political deceitfulness and hypocrisy, though, the real Machiavellian ideals were pragmatically progressive. The book aims to bring forward these ideals which no one talks about being "Machiavellian".

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few of the graphic guide series and think this is one of the best. The text and illustrations compliment each other and nicely. It been a few years since I read any Machiavelli, but this seems to hit all of the high points as well as giving a good general account of Machiavelli's life and times.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. Quick and easy to read and understand. This is a book that every school kid should be encouraged to read. It has so much relevance for the world today and explains an awful lot about why well know people act the way they do. It also puts Machiavelli himself in the right context; he is a very misunderstood historical character.

I have reread a couple of times already.

[Aditya Sathe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much much more than just The Prince

If you ever wonder who Machiavelli was and what he contributed to tbe world, you should definitely come to this book. Accompanied by wonderful graphics, it's easy to understand who was Machiavelli, what was his contribution and what can that mean in current world.

[Jaesin Kilpela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Clearly written, it introduces Machiavelli in such a way as to be easily understood. It also includes modern examples of how his writings were and are put into modern practice.

[Ronalds Purgailis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read it after you read the actual book, I liked the graphical design, but it was hard to read after a while because the text placement was a little bit off for me.

I also liked that it touched other Machiavelli books.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goes astray

The beginning of the book about Machiavelli is good. The last 20% of the book talks about ideas that occurred after Machiavelli s death and are abstruse. The artwork is black and white political cartoons.

[Mohammed Iqbal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time reading this

What you will see is pages of cartoons from random politicians through the centuries with vague reference to Machiavelli. If this how the rest of the series of books are then I won't be downloading any of them.

[Rolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting introduction to the breadth of Machiavelli's work (not just The Prince), as well as its influence and applicability to the history that followed him. I thought the applications of Machiavelli to Margaret Thatcher were particularly interesting and insightful.

[K S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book - it’s really breaks it down much simpler than attempting to read ‘The Prince’ or ‘Discourses’ straight away. 100% would recommend and the graphic in it are pretty cool too. Very cleverly written.

[Sedef Pehlivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was brief but complex at the same time.

Next, I will read “The Prince” to get a better understanding.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Eddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very informative graphic novel, this is a great introduction to both the writings of Machiavelli and the man himself. The book takes somewhat heavy text Af balances it well with art.

[Icon Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illustrated guide to the crucial Italian philosopher and author of The Prince. 'Machiavellian' is a popular byword for treachery and opportunism. Machiavelli's classic book on statecraft, The Prince, published over 400 years ago, remains controversial to this day because of its electrifying frankness as a practical guide to power. Is it a how-to manual for dictators, a cynical philosophy of 'the end justifies the means', or a more complex and subtle analysis of successful government? Machiavelli was a loyal servant of the Florentine republic. His opposition to Medici despotism led him to torture on the rack and exile, and yet he chose as his model for the Prince the most notorious tyrant, Cesare Borgia. Introducing Machiavelli traces the colourful life of this paradoxical realist whose clear-sighted patriotism made him the first truly modern political scientist. Machiavelli is seen as central to the postmodern debate on Civil Society. This book brings the creative turbulence of Renaissance Italy to life, and presents a compelling portrait of a key figure of European political history.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

So what was Machiavelli: evil genius or brilliant political theorist? And what does he have to tell us today? To answer that you have to know who he was, and what he wrote in relation to his own time and problems. About as perfect as one of these graphic guide books can be. A crisp, lucid overview of Machiavelli’s life and writings, the political intrigues of his time, and the effect of his writings on the centuries after his death. Cunningly illustrated—the distinctive cartoon Machiavelli wandering through the pages of this book, lurking in the background, observing and undermining the course of history. Fascinating image of him in exile, dressed in royal court robes writing The Prince. And the perceptive sweep of his ideas: civic republicanism vs. individual freedom, public citizenship vs. private self-enrichment, the gap between what you need to do to attain power and how you should wield it. Has me excited to start The Prince and meet the man myself.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Totem Books has a wonderful "Introducing" series that spans many political, artistic, critical, religious and philosophical movements and figures. They're essentially text books in the form of a graphic novel. Most people have heard the phrase "Machiavellian" yet know little about the man or his theories, and I include myself in that. The Introducing... series never fails as a good place to start. Introducing Machiavelli reveals that there was more to Machiavelli than a man who wrote handbooks for dictators, and reveals many ironies of his intent when contrasted with his subsequent influence. These books are great for those of us running out of time to read everything ever written.

NC

[Jrobertus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a graphic guide to the life and work of on of history's most famous authors. I read "The Prince" many years ago, and enjoyed this little book which puts the work in an historical context. In addition to The Prince, which advises a strong leader on securing the state, this book also discusses "The Discourses" which extolls the virtues of a republic and in many ways lays the basis for ideals on the American constitution. The book also explores the Machiavellian ideas on contemporary politics and blasts the corporate world as unpatriotic and devoid of the feelings of citizenship so necessary to a secure and contented state.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so smrt. Introducing Machiavelli seems to be a good... introduction to Machiavelli. :) There is value in basing your actions upon realities rather than ideals, but in this case "realities" seem to be hindered by rigid interpretations that would change with more observation. The message of The Prince and Discourses seem to be at odds - I'm sure I'm not getting something. All in all, a short, interesting and easy read.