How to Read Machiavelli

How to Read...

by Maurizio Viroli

Niccolò Machiavelli (1459–1527) is one of most influential modern political thinkers. His works, above all The Prince, The Discourses on Livy, The Florentine Histories, and The Art of War, are still passionately discussed in the intellectual community and continue to suscitate new visions of political action. Against the trite commonplace that Machiavelli was a teacher of evil who justified political immorality, Maurizio Viroli shows, on the basis of a rigorous study of his texts, that Machiavaelli taught instead the best way to attain true glory through political action and that his works were inspired by a profound love of republican liberty. Extracts are taken from the whole corpus of Machiavelli’s works, including his personal letters.

Genres: Philosophy

117 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

Maurizio Viroli is Professor Emeritus of Politics at Princeton University, Professor of Government at the University of Texas (Austin) and Professor of Political Communication at the University of Italian Switzerland (Lugano).