What do you think?
Rate this book
Machiavelli: The Art of Teaching People What to Fear
In a series of poignant vignettes, a preeminent historian makes a compelling case for Machiavelli as an unjustly maligned figure with valuable political insights that resonate as strongly today as they did in his time.
Whenever a tempestuous period in history begins, Machiavelli is summoned, because he is known as one for philosophizing in dark times. In fact, since his death in 1527, we have never ceased to read him to pull ourselves out of torpors. But what do we really know about this man apart from the term invented by his detractors to refer to that political evil, Machiavellianism?
It was Machiavelli's luck to be disappointed by every statesman he encountered throughout his life—that was why he had to write The Prince. If the book endeavors to dissociate political action from common morality, the question still remains today, not why, but for whom Machiavelli wrote. For princes, or for those who want to resist them? Is the art of governing to take power or to keep it? And what is “the people?” Can they govern themselves? Beyond cynical advice for the powerful, Machiavelli meditates profoundly on the idea of popular sovereignty, because the people know best who oppresses them.
With verve and a delightful erudition, Patrick Boucheron sheds light on the life and works of this unclassifiable visionary, illustrating how we can continue to use him as a guide in times of crisis.
Whenever a tempestuous period in history begins, Machiavelli is summoned, because he is known as one for philosophizing in dark times. In fact, since his death in 1527, we have never ceased to read him to pull ourselves out of torpors. But what do we really know about this man apart from the term invented by his detractors to refer to that political evil, Machiavellianism?
It was Machiavelli's luck to be disappointed by every statesman he encountered throughout his life—that was why he had to write The Prince. If the book endeavors to dissociate political action from common morality, the question still remains today, not why, but for whom Machiavelli wrote. For princes, or for those who want to resist them? Is the art of governing to take power or to keep it? And what is “the people?” Can they govern themselves? Beyond cynical advice for the powerful, Machiavelli meditates profoundly on the idea of popular sovereignty, because the people know best who oppresses them.
With verve and a delightful erudition, Patrick Boucheron sheds light on the life and works of this unclassifiable visionary, illustrating how we can continue to use him as a guide in times of crisis.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2020
104 people are currently reading
1040 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 24, 2020
Patrick Boucheron is a distinguished French historian who has written a short general book on Machiavelli. This is a rich and subtle book with the general message that stereotypical views of Machiavelli that have developed in the 500 years since his death are erroneous and unjust. Rather, Machiavelli in a deep and subtle thinker who was also a man of action. He was not evil but understood that politics was a continual tension between the poles of power and force on the one hand and principles and concepts on the other. Power and force always provide the bedrock of political reality and one neglects that only at one’s risk. Machiavelli was no Machiavellian.
Boucheron makes the case well, although I was sold from start.
What is more interesting about the book is the author’s approach towards writing and structuring it. How does one write a general book about a deep and often misunderstood writer, when the writer is best understood by carefully reading his voluminous work and when most general readers today will be unfamiliar with the Tuscan language in which Machiavelli wrote? The answer is not obvious and Boucheron’s book is surprising - but also effective.
The book is short and structured in a series of thirty brief essays/vignettes from the Machiavelli’s biography. The chapters are generally chronological and the author provides nice illustrations to go with his work. He does not view himself as an expert on Machiavelli (although the bibliographic essay at the end might challenge that) but rather uses Machiavelli as a guide - a reasonable man who can cut through the complexity in a social situation so that one can identify and name what is true and what is not true, even at an apparently great historical distance.
The overall punchline is that Machiavelli is not time bound but speaks to situations in which the political dynamics of the time expose the fragile balance between civility and peace on the one hand and force and power on the other. Will the public in a republic display its inherent wisdom or will it be fooled by noise and spectacle. The closer observers to the details of political life, the greater the chance that the wisdom of the public will prevail. The thought here is that 2020 is a time when Machiavelli will have much to say to current observers and participants in political life and thus an effective introduction to his work will find a readership. I cannot disagree with that and highly recommend the book.
Boucheron makes the case well, although I was sold from start.
What is more interesting about the book is the author’s approach towards writing and structuring it. How does one write a general book about a deep and often misunderstood writer, when the writer is best understood by carefully reading his voluminous work and when most general readers today will be unfamiliar with the Tuscan language in which Machiavelli wrote? The answer is not obvious and Boucheron’s book is surprising - but also effective.
The book is short and structured in a series of thirty brief essays/vignettes from the Machiavelli’s biography. The chapters are generally chronological and the author provides nice illustrations to go with his work. He does not view himself as an expert on Machiavelli (although the bibliographic essay at the end might challenge that) but rather uses Machiavelli as a guide - a reasonable man who can cut through the complexity in a social situation so that one can identify and name what is true and what is not true, even at an apparently great historical distance.
The overall punchline is that Machiavelli is not time bound but speaks to situations in which the political dynamics of the time expose the fragile balance between civility and peace on the one hand and force and power on the other. Will the public in a republic display its inherent wisdom or will it be fooled by noise and spectacle. The closer observers to the details of political life, the greater the chance that the wisdom of the public will prevail. The thought here is that 2020 is a time when Machiavelli will have much to say to current observers and participants in political life and thus an effective introduction to his work will find a readership. I cannot disagree with that and highly recommend the book.
March 17, 2023
I just finished another massively detailed biography of Machiavelli but this short but playfully original biography gave me much more think about. The book makes Machiavelli feel relevant today. The accompanying artwork is fascinating. Now I have to read his Discourses and History of Florence. I’m loving the historian recently but wish more of his works were available in English.
January 31, 2022
Really nice, but also simple dive into Machiavelli. Would recommend.
November 30, 2019
A short book that is more of a compilation of a historian’s interesting perception on Machiavelli’s character and thoughts, based on weekly speeches he delivered on radio.
Boucheron presents Machiavelli in a more untainted light (devoid of the negative clout he always carries), presenting him as an intellectual who ‘converses with the ancient wisemen’, goes straight to the actual truth, a man who had the good fortune of not finding a powerful figure that capture his admiration – so he created the ‘Prince’.
The author doesn’t pick a side on the debate whether Machiavelli wrote for the rules (Diderot’s assertion), or for the crowds (JJ Rousseau’s), and concurs instead what the author himself claimed, “for the discerning minds,” presenting his philosophy as one based on the ‘need’ without basing it on any moral notion.
My favourite quote: “to expose the true nature of the thing, you must in some sense invent it.”
Boucheron presents Machiavelli in a more untainted light (devoid of the negative clout he always carries), presenting him as an intellectual who ‘converses with the ancient wisemen’, goes straight to the actual truth, a man who had the good fortune of not finding a powerful figure that capture his admiration – so he created the ‘Prince’.
The author doesn’t pick a side on the debate whether Machiavelli wrote for the rules (Diderot’s assertion), or for the crowds (JJ Rousseau’s), and concurs instead what the author himself claimed, “for the discerning minds,” presenting his philosophy as one based on the ‘need’ without basing it on any moral notion.
My favourite quote: “to expose the true nature of the thing, you must in some sense invent it.”
January 24, 2022
Don't expect an in depth discussion of Machiavelli's ideas. The book is just the transcription of a few short talks by the author about a few episodes of Machiavelli's life, and how they could relate to modern day politics (and yes, it's another vaguely anti-trump book). A decent biographical sketch of Machiavelli's life as a statesmen who was on the losing side of a struggle in Florence (his exile and return). I learned a few more things about Machiavelli's life (such as his role as the official Florenian historian) and about his major works in addition to the Prince. Can be skipped but is entertaining enough as a quick mindless read.
August 29, 2020
This was a very interesting little book about a thinker many of think we know but probably don't. I read two books last year that deal with the same period: a biography of da Vinci and The Swerve. This makes a fine companion volume (although it's interesting that da Vinci and many other important figures of the time don't merit a mention.
July 21, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
probably best to read after reading about Machiavelli.
probably best to read after reading about Machiavelli.
August 18, 2023
A short biography of Machiavelli, sprinkled with arguments supporting the author's argument that the famous Italian political thinker was best understood as a pragmatist. The book takes a holistic, succinct approach to the thesis. Drawing from Machiavelli's life, non-political writings, and the political climate he experienced, the book offers a unique insight into an infamous figure of political science.
February 24, 2022
An interesting perspective on what the authors believes was Machiavelli’s intentions with his book “The Prince”
March 16, 2020
Excellent quick and dirty on Machiavelli and why it is/and always relevant.
March 28, 2020
This book places Machiavelli and his ideas in historical, social, and political perspective, in a number of brief chapters (originally radio broadcasts) and peppered with black and white pictures of various kinds, mostly historical but also from other contexts. Usually they open a chapter, or at least are on the leaf opposite. Together with Boucheron's easy, informative style, this makes for excellent, thought-provoking reading.
The book swirls between Machiavelli's life and also later responses, often attacks in the form of "Machiavellianism" but also historical and other research. The author muses throughout about the wheres, hows and whys of Machiavelli, making connections between the appearance of his name and works at various times in history, including today.
I read The Prince (not the author's name for it) as an undergraduate, and quite enjoyed it, not seeing the malevolence attached to his ideas. It was later handed out by my immediate boss in what was then called a Government Business Enterprise (Australia Post). It was a surprising but good choice (in my view) for what was seen as part of our tasks, although I doubt my colleagues saw it that way.
The website philosophyfootball.com provides t-shirts and other articles that include quotes from various philosophers. The one for Machiavelli quotes him as saying "each succeeds in reaching the goal by a different method", which sounds fairly plausible to me, but perhaps not so to more linear thinkers.
Boucheron writes with insight about this man and his tendency for paradoxes, or opposites. He adds colour, insight and interest to Machiavelli's ideas and their uses in what he suggests in the current age of fear. I didn't read it on the train, but it'as a book suitable for those kinds of environments, or quietly somewhere inside or in the garden.
The book swirls between Machiavelli's life and also later responses, often attacks in the form of "Machiavellianism" but also historical and other research. The author muses throughout about the wheres, hows and whys of Machiavelli, making connections between the appearance of his name and works at various times in history, including today.
I read The Prince (not the author's name for it) as an undergraduate, and quite enjoyed it, not seeing the malevolence attached to his ideas. It was later handed out by my immediate boss in what was then called a Government Business Enterprise (Australia Post). It was a surprising but good choice (in my view) for what was seen as part of our tasks, although I doubt my colleagues saw it that way.
The website philosophyfootball.com provides t-shirts and other articles that include quotes from various philosophers. The one for Machiavelli quotes him as saying "each succeeds in reaching the goal by a different method", which sounds fairly plausible to me, but perhaps not so to more linear thinkers.
Boucheron writes with insight about this man and his tendency for paradoxes, or opposites. He adds colour, insight and interest to Machiavelli's ideas and their uses in what he suggests in the current age of fear. I didn't read it on the train, but it'as a book suitable for those kinds of environments, or quietly somewhere inside or in the garden.
September 18, 2020
Really enjoyed this book as each chapter is really short with great insights into a person who has accidentally become a synonym for evil. Makes you realise that life is complex. The author gives great insight into the complex politics at the time - and it is a timely warning as we all deal with with complex political issues in the age of Covid.
October 14, 2020
The title is very misleading. I actually read it to get a more thorough perspective of the Prince but it was neither thorough nor any perspective on the book.
May 18, 2024
Patrick Boucheron Familiarizes The Modern Machiavellian Lector In 'The Art Of Teaching People What To Fear'.
The first page of 'Machiavelli : The Art Of Teaching People What To Fear', Patrick Boucheron's 2017 biographical vignette written on Gonfalonier Piero Soderini's trusted 'Segretario Dei Dieci D'ella Cancelleria' or 'Secretary To The Ten Of The Chancery', shows us a cover of Time Magazine depicting the 45th President Donald Trump. The picture of the magazine cover is accompanied on the introduction's second page by Trump's comments regarding the true nature of power. The book is translated from the original French by Willard Wood, & was done wonderfully in my opinion because from the way it reads everything flows very smoothly without any awkwardness, & concepts introduced by the author such as 'andare drieto verità effetuale della casa' & 'verità effetuale della cosa' I understood without any difficulty.
But surprisingly, Boucheron's biography is about as lighthearted & pleasant to read as is humanly possible. It's composed in an accessible, informal format, integrating modern people & events into the historical narrative of Niccolò Machiavelli's lifetime, professional career, & written works. You don't need to possess a Master's Degree in the areas of Renaissance History or Modern Political Theory to thoroughly enjoy this compulsively readable modern work, nor are you expected to have read a mountain of books prior to beginning Boucheron's. The book's 30 chapters are grouped into 6 parts, with each covering various areas such as the flavor of Machiavelli's writing, suggested ways for you to best enjoy reading his books, & his early relationship with his wife Marietta Corsini.
Boucheron's attention to detail also impressed me immensely as throughout the novel he provides us with interesting facts on the Florentine's life & political career, as well as his at-times amusing observations regarding Niccolò's unique composition style. When describing Niccolò's writing, he notes : 'His sentences invariably run away from him; he has no sooner declared that here are only two avenues than he proceeds down a third.' I smiled fondly to myself when I read this because I noticed the exact same thing in my layman's experience with Machiavellian works. Did you know that in his first drafting of 'The Prince', Niccolò Machiavelli uses the Italian term 'stato' 116 times? The author proceeds to explain the term's myriad interpretations in chapter 16, entitled 'The Courage To Name'. Also, were you aware that when Cardinal Giulio de'Medici commissioned the then-exiled Machiavelli to write a written history of Florence the agreed-upon sum was fifty-seven gold florins? The Florentine Cardinal later would advance to become the illustrious Pope Clement VII by the time Niccolò's famous 'Istorie Fiorentine' was finally completed in 1524.
In one of the later chapters the Florentine's penchant for fictionalizing portions of his history is wryly commented on : 'More than an exercise in duplicity, it was a way of cutting down to size the great & the good. Machiavelli saw the writing of history as an opportunity to be disagreeable.' With every book I read on Machiavelli's life I learn more about him & the world he lived in during Italy's Renaissance. After an excerpt from the 'Florentine Histories' chronicle accounting Italy's infamous Ciompi Rebellion, Boucheron notes shortly before ending the chapter : 'But putting fine speeches in the mouths of historical characters plays no part in writing history.' There's just so much varied & inetresting content to be found in 'Machiavelli : The Art Of Teaching People What To Fear', it's difficult to focus on a particular topic because the book's just so good. Boucheron opines on the centuries which followed Niccolò Machiavelli's life in one of his closing chapters : 'After Machiavelli's death, his work continued to slowly break apart, eventually becoming as invisible as a mist. A ghost, a lingering ghost. Not something we will ever move beyond. With him, according to him, against him, right up against him. But never without him.' I think that is just a fantastic way for people in modern times to hold Niccolò's legacy in their hearts without letting the harshness & brutality of the world he lived in overwhelm his surviving written works.
The author's choice of stunning Renaissance artwork as accompanying illustrations lend his message greater resonance as his vignette's narrative proceeds. I was treated to fantastic paintings of Lorenzo de' Medici, Florentine Gonfalonier Piero Soderini, & the fiery demagogue from Ferrara, Friar Girolamo Savaronola. Also provided are photos of old manuscript pages written in Machiavelli's own hand.
In closing, there isn't a whole lot to dislike about 'Machiavelli : The Art Of Teaching People What To Fear'. It's well-written & informative, & also it's a fantastic way for readers to educate themselves on Machiavelli's life, political writings & their impact on modern society. The book is an excellent jumping-off point & should appeal to anyone interested in the subject.
The first page of 'Machiavelli : The Art Of Teaching People What To Fear', Patrick Boucheron's 2017 biographical vignette written on Gonfalonier Piero Soderini's trusted 'Segretario Dei Dieci D'ella Cancelleria' or 'Secretary To The Ten Of The Chancery', shows us a cover of Time Magazine depicting the 45th President Donald Trump. The picture of the magazine cover is accompanied on the introduction's second page by Trump's comments regarding the true nature of power. The book is translated from the original French by Willard Wood, & was done wonderfully in my opinion because from the way it reads everything flows very smoothly without any awkwardness, & concepts introduced by the author such as 'andare drieto verità effetuale della casa' & 'verità effetuale della cosa' I understood without any difficulty.
But surprisingly, Boucheron's biography is about as lighthearted & pleasant to read as is humanly possible. It's composed in an accessible, informal format, integrating modern people & events into the historical narrative of Niccolò Machiavelli's lifetime, professional career, & written works. You don't need to possess a Master's Degree in the areas of Renaissance History or Modern Political Theory to thoroughly enjoy this compulsively readable modern work, nor are you expected to have read a mountain of books prior to beginning Boucheron's. The book's 30 chapters are grouped into 6 parts, with each covering various areas such as the flavor of Machiavelli's writing, suggested ways for you to best enjoy reading his books, & his early relationship with his wife Marietta Corsini.
Boucheron's attention to detail also impressed me immensely as throughout the novel he provides us with interesting facts on the Florentine's life & political career, as well as his at-times amusing observations regarding Niccolò's unique composition style. When describing Niccolò's writing, he notes : 'His sentences invariably run away from him; he has no sooner declared that here are only two avenues than he proceeds down a third.' I smiled fondly to myself when I read this because I noticed the exact same thing in my layman's experience with Machiavellian works. Did you know that in his first drafting of 'The Prince', Niccolò Machiavelli uses the Italian term 'stato' 116 times? The author proceeds to explain the term's myriad interpretations in chapter 16, entitled 'The Courage To Name'. Also, were you aware that when Cardinal Giulio de'Medici commissioned the then-exiled Machiavelli to write a written history of Florence the agreed-upon sum was fifty-seven gold florins? The Florentine Cardinal later would advance to become the illustrious Pope Clement VII by the time Niccolò's famous 'Istorie Fiorentine' was finally completed in 1524.
In one of the later chapters the Florentine's penchant for fictionalizing portions of his history is wryly commented on : 'More than an exercise in duplicity, it was a way of cutting down to size the great & the good. Machiavelli saw the writing of history as an opportunity to be disagreeable.' With every book I read on Machiavelli's life I learn more about him & the world he lived in during Italy's Renaissance. After an excerpt from the 'Florentine Histories' chronicle accounting Italy's infamous Ciompi Rebellion, Boucheron notes shortly before ending the chapter : 'But putting fine speeches in the mouths of historical characters plays no part in writing history.' There's just so much varied & inetresting content to be found in 'Machiavelli : The Art Of Teaching People What To Fear', it's difficult to focus on a particular topic because the book's just so good. Boucheron opines on the centuries which followed Niccolò Machiavelli's life in one of his closing chapters : 'After Machiavelli's death, his work continued to slowly break apart, eventually becoming as invisible as a mist. A ghost, a lingering ghost. Not something we will ever move beyond. With him, according to him, against him, right up against him. But never without him.' I think that is just a fantastic way for people in modern times to hold Niccolò's legacy in their hearts without letting the harshness & brutality of the world he lived in overwhelm his surviving written works.
The author's choice of stunning Renaissance artwork as accompanying illustrations lend his message greater resonance as his vignette's narrative proceeds. I was treated to fantastic paintings of Lorenzo de' Medici, Florentine Gonfalonier Piero Soderini, & the fiery demagogue from Ferrara, Friar Girolamo Savaronola. Also provided are photos of old manuscript pages written in Machiavelli's own hand.
In closing, there isn't a whole lot to dislike about 'Machiavelli : The Art Of Teaching People What To Fear'. It's well-written & informative, & also it's a fantastic way for readers to educate themselves on Machiavelli's life, political writings & their impact on modern society. The book is an excellent jumping-off point & should appeal to anyone interested in the subject.
April 13, 2021
You can read my full review here:
https://thebeerthrillers.com/2021/04/...
A quick excerpt from the review:
"....The underlying theme that runs current through the thirty small chapters is that Machiavelli is much aligned and isn’t the “cutthroat monster” we have been pretty much led to believe by historians and history itself, by the way his name is used eponymously and how he is portrayed in fiction and even by scholars themselves. As the cover shows, (a grafitti’d Machiavelli, with devil horns), Machiavelli is believed and portrayed as this cutthroat man who believed “the ends always justify the means” and almost a “anything goes” attitude towards princes, and kings, and those in power; as a form of keeping their power, and making sure the government they are in control of continues on.......
....Machiavelli did have a lot to teach about fear, its usage, its power, its conception, its control, its psychological importance, etc. He had as much to teach us about it as he did the Princes and the rulers. And as Boucheron showcases here, he had much more to show us – the common folk, the peasants, the non – rulers – about fear than he did the Cesare Borgias and Medicis of the world. And that is why we still read (and still need to read) Machiavelli in today’s world, and in today’s context.
My LibraryThing rating: ***3/4
My GoodReads rating: ****
Global Average GoodReads Rating: 3.68 (as of 4.7.21)"
https://thebeerthrillers.com/2021/04/...
A quick excerpt from the review:
"....The underlying theme that runs current through the thirty small chapters is that Machiavelli is much aligned and isn’t the “cutthroat monster” we have been pretty much led to believe by historians and history itself, by the way his name is used eponymously and how he is portrayed in fiction and even by scholars themselves. As the cover shows, (a grafitti’d Machiavelli, with devil horns), Machiavelli is believed and portrayed as this cutthroat man who believed “the ends always justify the means” and almost a “anything goes” attitude towards princes, and kings, and those in power; as a form of keeping their power, and making sure the government they are in control of continues on.......
....Machiavelli did have a lot to teach about fear, its usage, its power, its conception, its control, its psychological importance, etc. He had as much to teach us about it as he did the Princes and the rulers. And as Boucheron showcases here, he had much more to show us – the common folk, the peasants, the non – rulers – about fear than he did the Cesare Borgias and Medicis of the world. And that is why we still read (and still need to read) Machiavelli in today’s world, and in today’s context.
My LibraryThing rating: ***3/4
My GoodReads rating: ****
Global Average GoodReads Rating: 3.68 (as of 4.7.21)"
April 28, 2022
Machiavelli remains as enigmatic after reaching this book as before. What is an important learning is that, as Boucheron states, "Machiavelli's name only comes up when a storm is threatening. He heralds tempests, not to avert them but to teach us to think in heavy weather." This seems right to me, Machiavelli doesn't have to become an individual's, party's or country's political stance, but it is important to realize that it can be and how to counteract it, to think before reacting to it, to steelman the arguments of realpolitik that stems from it and not moralize them more than is necessary to combat them.
I personally had my first challenge with this during the Trump presidency and initially let it cloud my judgement and allowed me to fall into many of the traps laid out that did nothing but harm my own psychological well-being. I am still not fully well-adjusted to these tripwires, but understanding the role that fear, power, chaos, and divisiveness plays for a would-be autocrat (and has since the time of Machiavelli and before) makes me more capable of categorizing and recognizing it for what it is.
I personally had my first challenge with this during the Trump presidency and initially let it cloud my judgement and allowed me to fall into many of the traps laid out that did nothing but harm my own psychological well-being. I am still not fully well-adjusted to these tripwires, but understanding the role that fear, power, chaos, and divisiveness plays for a would-be autocrat (and has since the time of Machiavelli and before) makes me more capable of categorizing and recognizing it for what it is.
May 2, 2022
Αφορμή του να διαβάσω τον "Ηγεμόνα", ήταν ένα τεστάκι προσωπικότητας που με έβγαλε σε ένα αρκετά μεγάλο ποσοστό κοντά στον Μακιαβελλισμό, ως τρόπο σκέψης. Αμέσως "αγχώθηκα" γιατί ήξερα τον όρο σαν κάτι κακό.
Διαβάζοντας τον "Ηγεμόνα" έμεινα με την απορία... "Για ποιό λόγο αυτά που λέει θεωρούνται κακά;! Ναι, είναι σκληρά, αλλά μιλά για πολιτική...για ηγεσία. Και μάλιστα σε καιρούς δύσκολους." Αυτή ήταν η πρώτη μου σκέψη και αμέσως γέμισα ενοχές που μου άρεσε το αγαπημένο βιβλίο πολλών τυράννων του κόσμου.
Μέχρι που διάβασα αυτή την ανάλυση και είδα πως, όχι, δεν είμαι λάθος. Ούτε οι απόψεις του Μακιαβέλλι είναι λάθος και "κακές". Έβλεπα πίσω από όσα γράφει, όπως ακριβώς τα αναλύει και στο παρόν βιβλίο ο συγγραφέας.
Κράτησα ένα κομμάτι προς το τέλος, που νομίζω τα λέει όλα.
"...το όνομα του Μακιαβέλλι εμφανίζεται στον ορίζοντα μόνον όταν βρυχάται η θύελλα. Αναγγέλλει καταιγίδες όχι για να τις προλάβει, αλλά για να μας μάθει να σκεφτόμαστε σε θυελλώδεις καιρούς."
Σαν βιβλίο είναι μια τυπική ανάλυση των κειμένων του Μακιαβέλλι, εν συντομία, που διαβάζεται πολύ εύκολα από τον καθέναν. Τίποτα το ιδιαίτερο αλλά εκτελεί στον σκοπό του.
Διαβάζοντας τον "Ηγεμόνα" έμεινα με την απορία... "Για ποιό λόγο αυτά που λέει θεωρούνται κακά;! Ναι, είναι σκληρά, αλλά μιλά για πολιτική...για ηγεσία. Και μάλιστα σε καιρούς δύσκολους." Αυτή ήταν η πρώτη μου σκέψη και αμέσως γέμισα ενοχές που μου άρεσε το αγαπημένο βιβλίο πολλών τυράννων του κόσμου.
Μέχρι που διάβασα αυτή την ανάλυση και είδα πως, όχι, δεν είμαι λάθος. Ούτε οι απόψεις του Μακιαβέλλι είναι λάθος και "κακές". Έβλεπα πίσω από όσα γράφει, όπως ακριβώς τα αναλύει και στο παρόν βιβλίο ο συγγραφέας.
Κράτησα ένα κομμάτι προς το τέλος, που νομίζω τα λέει όλα.
"...το όνομα του Μακιαβέλλι εμφανίζεται στον ορίζοντα μόνον όταν βρυχάται η θύελλα. Αναγγέλλει καταιγίδες όχι για να τις προλάβει, αλλά για να μας μάθει να σκεφτόμαστε σε θυελλώδεις καιρούς."
Σαν βιβλίο είναι μια τυπική ανάλυση των κειμένων του Μακιαβέλλι, εν συντομία, που διαβάζεται πολύ εύκολα από τον καθέναν. Τίποτα το ιδιαίτερο αλλά εκτελεί στον σκοπό του.
January 13, 2020
I don't have fully coherent thoughts about this yet, but for now just let me say: I absolutely loved this book. I'll admit I'm not exactly the target audience (I already like Machiavelli, I didn't need to be convinced that he wasn't evil personified), but with some prior knowledge of most of the contents, it was utterly enjoyable, and as far as I can tell, accurate.
In particular, his interpretation of Machiavelli's use of the myth of Romulus and Remus was stunning and something that'll stick with me for a long time. I want to try to apply Machiavelli's/Boucheron's interpretation to some ancient texts and see if it works, because I think it might? Anyway. Any book that I can read in less than two hours but that also makes me want to write at least one academic paper is a five-star book to me. I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in Machiavelli.
In particular, his interpretation of Machiavelli's use of the myth of Romulus and Remus was stunning and something that'll stick with me for a long time. I want to try to apply Machiavelli's/Boucheron's interpretation to some ancient texts and see if it works, because I think it might? Anyway. Any book that I can read in less than two hours but that also makes me want to write at least one academic paper is a five-star book to me. I would highly recommend this to anyone with an interest in Machiavelli.
February 28, 2020
All but one of the 'vignettes' were broadcast on french public radio a few years ago. At first I had a little trouble getting out of my head the translation from french because my old high school french brain was getting in the way and kind of trying to translate it back or at least noticing it more than if it was say a translation from mandarin chinese or something. I hadn't realized that Machiavelli had written a book about Livy's history of Rome. I also learned a little more about Italy during the Renaissance period. I kind of want to read more about the Medici and perhaps papal history of this time period. Pretty fascinating. Was fascinated to learn that Machiavelli's father worked 9 months creating an index for Livy's work in order to get a copy for himself. Makes me appreciate how easy it is to read and own the classics today.
June 10, 2023
If a contemporary French surgeon is dissecting a Renaissance Italian mind, can it better be called forensic autopsy?
Maybe, or not exactly.
Perhaps Machiavelli was leaning in the couch and Freud, the analyst, and Russell was making notes.
A superb and lucid deconstruction of a complex thought evolution. Very short but still an excellent biography, a personalty interwoven in his time and place but how still relevant today.
Books, personalities and places, all that shaped the character of Machiavelli, and what came out, Prince, Discourse, History, Art of War, his correspondence and the play he wrote.
Elegantly written, French flavour, informative, Boucheron was the professor of history.
The edition I had was illustrated, I liked it specially Machiavelli’s handwriting.
Seaport being a precise book, my reading experience was thought provoking. I’ll recommend to anyone.
Maybe, or not exactly.
Perhaps Machiavelli was leaning in the couch and Freud, the analyst, and Russell was making notes.
A superb and lucid deconstruction of a complex thought evolution. Very short but still an excellent biography, a personalty interwoven in his time and place but how still relevant today.
Books, personalities and places, all that shaped the character of Machiavelli, and what came out, Prince, Discourse, History, Art of War, his correspondence and the play he wrote.
Elegantly written, French flavour, informative, Boucheron was the professor of history.
The edition I had was illustrated, I liked it specially Machiavelli’s handwriting.
Seaport being a precise book, my reading experience was thought provoking. I’ll recommend to anyone.
November 3, 2020
"Machiavellianism is what stands between us and Machiavelli...it is a mask behind which he disappears". Boucheron in this slender book illuminates the mystery of the man, including useful historical context and biographical information. The result leads us to read Machiavelli "in the future tense", as the go-to thinker when the political storm clouds are gathering. Boucheron adds, almost eerily, that "we should understand by a Machiavellian moment that precarious point when the ideal of republicanism has to confront its own powerlessness, the mutability of words and the opacity of representation, what we would today call the fatigue of democracy".
June 1, 2021
I just finished reading this book. It’s an interesting read about a man I didn’t really know anything about outside of reading “The Prince” years ago.
The name Machiavelli conjures so many thoughts, among them evil, nefarious, sociopath so it’s fascinating to get a quick history lesson on the man behind the myth.
In a series of poignant vignettes, a preeminent historian makes a compelling case for Machiavelli as an unjustly maligned figure with valuable political insights that resonate as strongly today as they did in his time.
It’s well written, incredibly informative and at times quite funny.
Thanks to @otherpress for sending this one over. #Gifted
The name Machiavelli conjures so many thoughts, among them evil, nefarious, sociopath so it’s fascinating to get a quick history lesson on the man behind the myth.
In a series of poignant vignettes, a preeminent historian makes a compelling case for Machiavelli as an unjustly maligned figure with valuable political insights that resonate as strongly today as they did in his time.
It’s well written, incredibly informative and at times quite funny.
Thanks to @otherpress for sending this one over. #Gifted
March 11, 2022
It’s a frightening reality that, as the author suggests, we should be reading Machiavelli as a futurist. Looking at politics now, fear runs rampant and Machivellianisms expound. Boucheron writes that once a coup is uncovered, and the fear and violence that courses through a political system is uncovered, it diminishes. It’s power comes from the unknown. Violence, like fear, is most useful when people do not fully understand what is going on. Hmm.
Fascinating history about Machiavelli himself and really great writing.
“The end will always occur too late to justify the means of an action. To govern is fo act blindly within the indeterminacy of the times.”
Fascinating history about Machiavelli himself and really great writing.
“The end will always occur too late to justify the means of an action. To govern is fo act blindly within the indeterminacy of the times.”
December 31, 2024
As a big political theory fan, this book was a bit odd for me. I think I was expecting to read Machiavellis' works and an analysis of them. Instead, it was more of an analysis of his life and how it contributed to what he was writing and how is life experiences influenced the work. But it doesn't discuss the work and I think that's what I was looking for. I did enjoy an analysis of his life as I knew nothing about it, but I would have liked a bit more of a discussion on the Prince. All in all, it was very quick and had lots of depth. It was well written and well organized, and I appreciated that.
February 27, 2020
Quick read, nicely illustrated, translated from the French with a sort of poetic loftiness that makes one remember and appreciate the greater significance of ruminating on philosophy in French culture than our own. Roughly follows a chronology of Machiavelli's life as it connects to his writings -- all with a subtle undertone of alarum over the rise of fascism globally in the current historical moment.
September 17, 2024
Although short, very insightful look into the history and context of Machiavelli’s life and time. It goes into how the works of The Prince and the moniker of Machiavellian are placed in the eyes of others and how it comes into prominence in times of political uncertainty. Really interesting. The author is so clearly passionate about this subject too, I got excited. I wish to have a close reading of The Prince (or Of Principalities) in the future.
January 9, 2026
Boucheron does a wonderful job in introducing his audience to Machiavelli. If your goal is to begin your journey into Machiavelli and his works I believe this book is a great place to start. Boucheron discusses, in brief, a variety of concepts (early life, works, politics, etc.) in a rather theatric and dramatic manner (which is humorously mirroring Machiavelli’s style). Generally speaking I believe it is a nice and easy to digest entrance into Machiavelli.
March 6, 2023
Μόνο με αυτό το βιβλίο μπόρεσα να διαβάσω τον Μακιαβελλι (το αγόρασα στην τύχη ευτυχώς). Το βιβλίο εξηγεί πολύ ωραία κάθε κεφάλαιο στον ηγεμόνα με απλοποιημένη λόγια και τις ιστορίες πίσω από κάποια παραδείγματα που γράφονται στον "Ηγεμόνα". Το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα αν κάποιος δυσκολεύεται να διαβάσει τον "Ηγεμόνα" και δεν μπορεί όπως πάθαινα εγώ. Καλά διάβασματα φίλοι μου. 3.8/5
March 13, 2023
This was such an astronomical letdown. I don’t think I learned a single fucking thing about Machiavelli. The author somehow wrote 145 pages of absolutely nothing, there was no substance, just a bunch of loose conjectures about him and incredibly prose-like language. It was like this dude was riding Machiavelli’s dick and writing him a love letter at the same time. 2 stars because of the pictures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews