Machiavelli: His Life and Times

by Alexander Lee

'A wonderfully assured and utterly riveting biography that captures not only the much-maligned Machiavelli, but also the spirit of his time and place. A monumental achievement.' – Jessie Childs, author of God's Traitors.

‘A notorious fiend’, ‘generally odious’, ‘he seems hideous, and so he is.’ Thanks to the invidious reputation of his most famous work, The Prince , Niccolò Machiavelli exerts a unique hold over the popular imagination. But was Machiavelli as sinister as he is often thought to be? Might he not have been an infinitely more sympathetic figure, prone to political missteps, professional failures and personal dramas? Alexander Lee reveals the man behind the myth, following him from cradle to grave, from his father’s penury and the abuse he suffered at a teacher’s hands, to his marriage and his many affairs (with both men and women), to his political triumphs and, ultimately, his fall from grace and exile. In doing so, Lee uncovers hitherto unobserved connections between Machiavelli’s life and thought. He also reveals the world through which Machiavelli from the great halls of Renaissance Florence to the court of the Borgia pope, Alexander VI, from the dungeons of the Stinche prison to the Rucellai gardens, where he would begin work on some of his last great works. As much a portrait of an age as of a uniquely engaging man, Lee’s gripping and definitive biography takes the reader into Machiavelli’s world – and his work – more completely than ever before.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Politics, Italy, Renaissance, Philosophy

768 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 2020

Reviews

['Aussie Rick' · Rating 5 out of 5]

My copy of “Machiavelli: His Life and Times” by Alexander Lee arrived at the start of July. I put it aside as I had other reading commitments but I was constantly being drawn to the book, like it was screaming at me to read it. Finally, I buckled to the pressure and started reading it, and then it had me, I couldn’t put the book down.

The hardback edition is 762 pages in length, 570 pages of narrative; the rest is Bibliography, Notes and Index. There are two maps covering Italy and Tuscany, a family tree for Machiavelli and the Medici, along with two sections of colour plates (35 pictures in total).

I must confess that this has been the first dedicated biography of Machiavelli that I have read. Of course, I have come across him in my reading of Italy and the Renaissance but this is the first book on the man that I have picked up. Although I have no other titles on the subject to make a comparison I can honestly say that this was a delightful, interesting, engaging and thoughtful account of the man, and just as importantly, his times. And those times could be quite bitter and very dangerous:

"Freed from Cesare's malign influence, Florence could turn its attention to Pistoia again. Despite the commissioner's best efforts, the city's factional divisions remained as bitter as ever. The Cancellieri were still doggedly clinging on to the organs of communal government, and bands of exiled Panciatichi continued to roam the countryside, spoiling for a fight. On 4 July, hostilities broke out again. A pitched battle took place, in which as many as 200 men, mostly foreign mercenaries, were killed. The following day, there was another skirmish. Although fewer lives were lost, the exchange was no less gruesome. According to Landucci, the heads of a dozen men were stuck on lances and paraded around Pistoia. They were then taken down and used a footballs."

I thoroughly loved the journey I took in this book, following Machiavelli from cradle to grave. The author skilfully allows us to follow Machiavelli in his travels as he interacts and deals with some of the great people in this period of Italian history. We met various members of the Medici family, so important in Florentine history at this time. We also come across members of the Borgia, Sforza, Visconti, Este, Colonna, Orsini, and Farnese families. We deal with the various Popes, Kings, Princes and Emperors, not to mention numerous Condottieri and other people, some famous, some not so famous, but all very interesting. For example, the author mentions the arrival of a new French commander in the Italian theatre:

"Some measure of hope was restored by the new French commander, Gaston de Foix. Though only twenty-two years old when Louis XII appointed him governor of Milan, he was already a seasoned campaigner, and quickly proved to be one of the outstanding military leaders of his generation. Tearing through Lombardy and the Romagna in the depths of winter, he repelled a Swiss attack on Milan, prevented Bologna from being Besieged by the Spanish, and massacred a Venetian army that had taken control of Brescia. On 11 April 1512, he then inflicted a crushing defeat on Ramon de Cardona at the Battle of Ravenna - albeit at the cost of his own life. Several of the League's best captains, including Fabrizio Colonna, were taken prisoner, along with Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici, and the while of Emilia- Romagna was captured for France."

We get to read about the various treatise, plays, comedies and poems that Machiavelli wrote including his greatest work; "Istorie Fiorentine", the Florentine Histories. Who knew that he was so prolific and that he wrote more than just "Discourses on Livy" and "The Prince"? He had a great sense of humour and although he was always on the lookout for advancement, he also didn't take himself too seriously, he knew he was living in precarious times and he meant to enjoy himself while he could. This is how the great man finished his life:

"On 21 June, he awoke suddenly from a fitful sleep. Turning to those friends who had agreed to stay with him, he described a dream he had just had. Two groups of figures had appeared to him. The first had been dressed in rags and presented thoroughly dejected appearance. They were the blessed and were on their way to Heaven. The second group, however, were made up of richly dressed and august-looking individuals discussing history, philosophy and the affairs of state. He could not identify them all, but among them he spied Seneca, Tacitus, Plato, Plutarch and a host of other notable figures from antiquity. When he asked them where they were headed, they told him, 'We are the damned of Hell.' At this Niccolò laughed hoarsely. If there were so many interesting people to talk to, he chuckled, perhaps he would be happier in hell, after all."

Overall, I found this book a great bit of historical writing and I am on the search for more books covering the Italian Wars of this time along with additional books on some of the more interesting characters interspersed within this period of history. This is a fun and informative read and never during the 570 pages did I lose interest or get bored. I have no hesitation in recommending this book for anyone who loves a good history book or who has a fascination for this period of Italian/Renaissance history.

Florentine Histories by Niccolò Machiavelli

[Marks54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding one volume biography of Machiavelli. I had started this at several times but did not make much progress, but this time I made it into the main bio and pushed through.

A biography of Machiavelli would strike me as a daunting project. It is difficult to think of someone of such historical importance about whom so much has been written - his name has even burrowed into the language as an adjective, and not frequently a positive one. There is even a psychological scale based on his work in the Prince about which a research literature has developed (not that I recommend such work - I do not). If students these days study political theory, Machiavelli figures heavily in most introductory courses.

A biography will need to set the context for Machiavelli in the political and cultural life of 15th century Italy with its multiple city states, the importance of the Papal States, and the constant jockeying for power in Italy involving the French and the Holy Roman Empire. That itself would take some doing. The intricate political life of the Italian city states predates the Renaissance and is a separate story of its own. A second requirement of a biography would be to tell Machiavelli’s life story and how he fit into the active life of the times - maintaining a family, carrying on a life of debauchery with friends, serving the Republic of Florence, and trying so hard to get back into the good graces of the elites after the fall of the Republic and the return of the Medici to Florence. His later career after losing out in Florentine politics is an example of how to “work from home” long before the Internet and networked laptops make this possible during COVID. If this was not enough, a good biography will also need to cover Machiavelli’s writings - not only The Prince but also the Discourses on Livy, the Art of War, and the History of Florence (to name the major ones). Machiavelli was arguably the most influential political writer ever who has strongly influenced both rulers, practitioners, courtiers, scholars, and courtesans up until the present day. He is a rich deep writer and there are entire subliteratures that have arisen just about how to effectively read his key works. Since he was shopping his own brand of “advisory services” around to the rulers of the day, his work can be productively read even today.

Alexander Lee does a fine job at balancing all these requirements to produce a long but readable biography. While it is long, the book is well worth the effort. I am particularly interested in that it seems like travel to Europe will be feasible again before too long and I cannot wait to go to Florence and Tuscany as early destinations when we are finally free to roam.

[Nel · Rating 3 out of 5]

all in all, i got what i wanted from this book - an overview of Machiavelli's life, times and works. but the reason i didn't rate it higher - the majority of the book is devoted to the slog of the italian politics. my interests do not venture quite that deep and even if they did, i don't think a tighter editing would have been amiss here.
plus the book is missing a conclusion of any sort which is a bit strange. it literally ends with 'and then he died'.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are those figures in history that become so much larger than life that their very name becomes an adjective, Napoleon is such an example (Napoleonic).. another such example is Machiavelli. The adjective “Machiavellian” has become a regular part of the common vernacular and a very evil one at that, referencing a person willing to do anything to gain power. How accurate is that term based on the man it is named for?

In Machiavelli: His Life and Times, which is unquestionably the definitive biography of this most unfairly maligned larger than life personality, Alexander Lee has produced not only a much needed comprehensive life, but one that is stunningly written and expertly researched.

It would be unfair to simply label this as a mere biography as Mr. Lee utilizes Machiavelli to detail the entire political and social spectrum in which his subject spent his childhood, youth, adulthood and final years. One can look at this massive tome as a brilliant painting with Machiavelli at the center and Florence (and it’s surroundings) as the background...each painted in brilliant, colorful, living images.

The true magic of this book comes from Mr. Lee’s ability to nuance the life of Machiavelli with fascinating anecdotes directly from his life beginning with his childhood which was far from privileged and continuing onto his self made path to becoming one of the great diplomats at the same time combating the image of Machiavelli that has developed over the centuries yet never becoming defensive of his subject, always letting the facts speak for themselves. This certainly does not mean that Mr. Lee covers up any of his subjects shortcomings, he doesn’t, yet the authors brilliance allows for a fully realized portrait of his subject to emerge which is very rare and only happens in the truly great histories and biographies.

The often frustratingly complicated political and social life of Florence, the Medici’s, their ups and downs.. has brought many a book to a dead stop.. yet in Machiavelli: His Life and Time, Mr. Lee deftly allows the events and characters to guide the action which opens up this entire fascinating world for the reader and allows one to see Machiavelli‘s place in it and puts to shame the word “Machiavellian” as he was anything but the leader or “The man behind the curtain”. Readers unfamiliar with Machiavelli will be shocked when they find out the facts about the real man versus the myth.

Machiavelli is best known today as the author of The Prince, a book “assumed” to be a “how to” for ruthless leaders wanting to gain power by any means necessary, yet this is also not true. Mr. Lee does a splendid and sensitive job explaining the circumstances which provoked Machiavelli to write this book which would have profound influences not just on history but on his reputation for centuries to come.

Niccolo Machiavelli lived a most unique and complicated life, one filled with incredible highs and devastating lows, and one completely and falsely besmirched by history. There have been many books written on the life and writings of Machiavelli yet they have only served as appetizers to what has now become the main course... Alexander Lee’s stunning and definitive, Machiavelli: His Life and Times. Lee is able to answer as many questions about his subject as all the great researchers before him put together. All future scholars of Machiavelli will certainly look at this brilliantly researched and written book as a veritable Rosetta Stone when trying to figure out the myth and mystery that is and perhaps always will be Machiavelli.

Rick Friedman
Founder
The James Mason Community Book Club (8,000+ members)

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am I politic? Am I subtle? Am I a Machiavel?

~ William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor

Shakespeare wrote about kings and princes. Niccolò Machiavelli represented, met with, and gave counsel to them. Emperors, popes, and generals too. Shakespeare lived his entire life within a stretch of about 90 miles as the crow flies. Niccolò, represented Florence on diplomatic missions taking him to France, into present day southern Germany, and Rome. Few of his contemporaries traveled as widely as he did. Shakespeare wrote about political intrigue. Niccolò negotiated, implemented, and survived it. Shakespeare wrote for theatrical audiences. Niccolò mostly wrote letters and treatises—we would call them memoranda today—to explain the world he experienced as he did his best to help his beloved Florence to survive. Shakespeare likely hoped his plays would live on after his death. Niccolò wrote plays late in his life that were well received but haven’t had the same staying power. But he surely must have believed that his writing was intended for immediate audiences.

Niccolò is most remembered for writing The Prince. Less known, however, is why and for what purpose Niccolò wrote The Prince. It was intended as something of a job application for Lorenzo de Medici, who had just consolidated power to rule the city state of Florence. Niccolò lost his job as a diplomat when the Florentine Republic came to an end just prior to Lorenzo’s ascension to power. The Prince was an attempt to win favor in the new administration. Niccolò’s work was essential in protecting and maintaining Florence’s independence during a time of constant wars and threats of it, mostly because of its location and wealth. Niccolò traveled throughout central Europe, skillfully conferring with, and advising popes, emperors, kings, dukes, generals, and other leaders—always with Florence’s domestic politics and diplomatic survival at the center of his agenda—when most people lived their entire lives within walking distance of their birthplaces. Since he was so closely identified with the Republic, he was shunned and not considered for employment with the authoritarian, family-driven Medici rule. Lorenzo disdained and hated everything the Republic embodied, especially the messiness of political factions.

In writing The Prince, his job application of sorts, Niccolò looked back at his career and the history of Florentine politics of power and survival with a pragmatic, dispassionate eye based on unique experience—not with theoretical principles or dreams about governing. His goal was not to write a treatise for future generations but, instead, for the task at hand. It was his demonstration to Lorenzo that he deeply understood the reality of his times, that he understood how things had changed and how to move forward. Had Niccolò known his work would live on for centuries, he would likely have been shocked and appalled that The Prince would be his most lasting legacy. After all, he was just trying to give a prospective employer his honest views based on a very successful career.

As I read Alexander Lee’s sympathetic account, I was reminded of Jonathan Sperber’s biography of Karl Marx. Niccolò, like Marx, was a man of his times. Whatever opinions or motives future generations may have had about them had little-to-nothing to do with the realities or intentions of their life stories. It just goes to show that verdicts handed down by history and literature can be unjust.

Niccolò’s is about as cruel as they come. His name became an -ism, adjective, and noun. Not one is positive or endearing. Or accurate. On the other hand, Shakespeare was luckier. He became an adjective and noun, but not an -ism. He didn’t have sinister connotations attached to them. The Bard may not have created the slanders, but his prose was instrumental to help them endure. Had he been aware of the story of Niccolò’s life in the masterful way Lee conveyed it, he likely would not have used his artistic license to perpetuate unfair smears. He might have found a Shakespearian way of describing him, as one might say it in Yiddish: as a real Mensch.

P.S. Niccolò didn't get the job.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was a remarkable diplomat and man of letters - he wrote poetry and analyses of political and military situations with recommendations for solution.

His underlying assumption about human nature is reproduced from "Il principe" in this book on p. 428, that at heart all men are evil and that they are always going to act according to the wickedness of their spirits whenever they have free scope. They would cut their neighbors' throats if they would profit from it, and would remember the loss of their property more than the loss of family members. This may not have been unrealistic at the time of the Italian Wars, when this political/power schema of Niccolò is applied to describing a country divided by warring classes, warring princes and monarchies, and loyalty of mercenaries and troops dependent on receiving their wages. Towns could be bought and sold by rivalous armies. A world of broken agreements, deceipt, and tricks.

It is useful to place ourselves in this schema of Niccolò's. Critique of this schema was most recently emphasized by the late Sumantra Ghoshal who, in 2005, wrote "that by propagating ideologically inspired amoral theories, business schools have actively freed their students from any sense of moral responsibility." Liberalism is but ideology, essentially grounded in a set of pessimistic assumptions about both individuals and institutions - a “gloomy vision” as Hirschman wrote in World Politics in 1970, that views the primary purpose of social theory as one of solving the “negative problem” of restricting the social costs arising from human imperfections. Hence, Niccolò's proposals for constitutional reform and organization of the polity reflect achieving balance among warring classes (the primi, the mezzani, and the rest of the citizens).

It is helpful and useful to see the world from this perspective - but as Sumantra Ghoshal so brilliantly argued - it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I have given this book 5* out of respect for the immense - and surely lifetime commitment of the author - to research into Renaissance and Niccolò, including reference to the many original documents that exist. I was struck by the sophistication of thinking 500 years' ago about the need for - and search for - good governance. Niccolò was a good scholar! He was well read in the classics - Aristotle contrasted with Cicero, and skilled in using the comparative method, in his contrasting the governance of Rome and Florence.

Whenever you are so deeply involved in a subject, as Dr. Alexander Lee is, there is a tendency to write in a way that could be improved if thinking of the target audience. This book is written with the customary embellishments of historical accounts that endeavor to soften history for a wider audience - such as how Niccolò "...ignored the driving rain, the saddle sores and the stomach pains brought on by the jerking of his horse..." (p. 555).

Yet what is needed more than this is a Glossary, or summary of the key characters and forces that is more descriptive than the maps and genealogical charts of the Medici and Machiavelli provided at the front of the book. I frequently found myself searching for names on Wikpedia to learn about characters sparsely (or not) introduced, and to obtain a broader understanding of the political forces at work in the Italian Wars. So, I wanted a reference - a quick guide to the principal characters and their histories. There are so many characters, treaties, and wars, that the reader without the historical background may get lost.

As biography, I was searching also for an underlying message of the book. Just as Niccolò had a schema, I was unclear of the schema of Alexander Lee. For the first 200 pages, I recalled learning history at school, studying kings, queens, births, deaths, dates... with little theory. What is the theoretical perspective of Alexander Lee? He has one, but it could be clearer and used to create a greater consistency in writing.

I learned from this book - my first "aha" moment came on pp. 199-200 - to which I had struggled - when Niccolò again drew on the comparative method to compare the Romans and the Florentines in governing rebellious peoples. But this was a depiction of Niccolò's theory, not that of the author, but the author is worthy of thanks for this immense contribution. Facts are never independent of theory - what is your's, Alexander Lee? You have one.

[Tomislav · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a completely bad book, but quite disappointing considering the high ratings. It is not as detailed and comprehensive biography as you might expect from its length. I guess it is very hard to reconstruct the life of a person that lived 500 years ago and this is certainly a well-researched book. However, large parts of the text are detailed descriptions of other historical personalities, wars and political intrigues in northern Italy. You often have the impression of reading a book about Italian history in which Machiavelli is mentioned now and then. You will spend pages and pages reading about which condottiere was bribed by whom, which diplomat sent a letter to another diplomat etc. Instead of providing context to Machiavelli’s life and intellectual development, the book often gets lost in details and it seems that it would be much better if the author just kept things short and focused on the big picture.

Another problem is the fact that Machiavelli’s life wasn’t really that interesting. He lived in interesting times and was around important people and events but he was not very significant. The book almost seems to focus on the most mundane aspects of his life. There are descriptions of when and how he traveled, what he ate and whom he met on a certain date. It becomes a bit more interesting in the end when the focus shifts to his writing career. Also, there are some interesting episodes, for example a nice story about him vomiting on an ugly prostitute. We are lucky that Machiavelli found it necessary to document this incident in great detail because otherwise it would be lost for history. Whatever you think about his politics you can't deny that he was a classy guy, and a true scholar.

All these lengthy digressions and mundane details give you some insight into Machiavelli’s surroundings, personality and intellectual development, but overall the biography still feels somewhat superficial and incomplete despite its great length. It also has a bizarrely abrupt ending. After several pages are spent on describing exactly through which villages a band of marauding imperial landsknechts passed on their way to Rome, the book again returns to the subject of Machiavelli to end his sad story in a few paragraphs. No conclusion, nothing about what became of his family, Florentine politics, not even a short overview of his intellectual impact and posthumous reputation – he just dies in the last sentence, the end.

[Leah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book. The level of detail did not serve the narraive arch of the book. As a lay reader, it was an endless account of various diplomatic missions that I found difficult to follow. As other reviews mention, the author imputes emotions and reponses to Machiavelli that are conjecture which undermines the historical integrity of the project. I do not recommend.

[Emilija · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 150 Prompt Doctor Who Reading Challenge - Quotes - 1) "We're All Stories In The End.": Read A Memoir Or Biography.

This was an excellent biography of Niccolò Machiavelli. It was very indepth, so it could be quite difficult to get into, and there were a lot (an awful lot) of names to remember, which made it a hard read, regardless of how interesting the content was. It is a very comprehensive biography, and well worth the read.

[Derek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an excellent biography but its endless series of political and diplomatic events often bored me. I was interested to learn how much we know about Machiavelli. We even know from his letters about an encounter with a homely prostitute with bad breath. I liked the author’s description of Machiavelli’s humanist education but would have liked more analysis of his great works, though these are certainly covered.

[Boudewijn]

Notes
July 2020: Added to TBR after reading review of GR friend Aussie Rick.

[Theo R-O · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bizarre & complicated life Niccolo led. Guy was all over the place. Incredible career highs, shattering personal lows, but mostly a posthumous reputation that has been convoluted by The Prince to such an extent it’s hard to believe.

Undeniable weirdo though. So weird I feel obligated to read something else he wrote just so I know where it ends, so to speak.

[Andrew Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding and engrossing biography of Niccolo Machiavelli. A perfect holiday read for political junkies.

The subtitle captures the dual focus of the book. As much time is spent describing the political machinations from the 1480s-1520s in Florence as describing the man himself and his role within it all. This is a great strength of the book. Renaissance Italy is a fascinating period of rapidly changing alliances, constant threats of war, and ever changing forms of government (both republican and principality in Florence's case). As pure historical escapism, this is a riveting tale.

The historical focus brings to light Machiavelli's role as a diplomat for Florence. From a relatively young age, he served as a diplomat and official for his city state. This brought him into regular and direct contact with Kings, Princes and Popes. His record was moderately successful, some strong achievements, some notable failures, but throughout a clearly developing understanding of the nature of power and the personalities of his era.

Machiavelli's life covers three periods. First, the diplomat and official working for the Republic. By learning about this energetic period (seriously, it makes the contemporary world seem incredibly staid) and Niccolo's role as a minor participant, you can understand why and how Machiavelli became such an adept political analyst. Writing about the schemes of others was his day job, and as is widely known, his most famous work, The Prince is effectively a job application.

In the second phase, after the republican government falls and the Medici family return to power, Machiavelli finds himself distrusted and dismissed from office. Briefly tortured for rumored association with a coup plot, he retreats to his farmhouse in the countryside in poverty and bitterness. Eventually, he takes up the pen. This is partly an attempt to persuade the new regime of his value (for which he produced The Prince and later The Art of War), and partly as a highly literate man seeking to understand and enjoy his world (The Discourses on Livy, a History of Florence and variety of plays, poems and comedic tales).

Finally, in his last years the Medici's (now including the Pope) accept he has some value and use him for a series of small diplomatic missions and occasional requests for advice. While still far from power, he is at least accepted and involved once more. Yet once again, Machiavelli was on the wrong side. The Medici fall again from power, and once more he found himself seen as distrusted by the new regime. These last labours wear him out, and he dies at 58.

The Machiavelli who emerges seems a world away from the devils-right-hand-man account received through history. While many before him had written guidance for political leaders, most such accounts tended towards normative accounts, seeking to instruct leaders on how they should act. Akin to the endless tiresome 'ethics' scholarship we see today. Machiavelli's radical step with The Prince was to take what was the nature of private diplomatic correspondence, dealing with the world dispassionately and as it is, and present it in a publicly accessible form.

Appropriately, Lee gives more time to The Discourses, which is perhaps his best work and shows he was a man who spent most of his career trying to protect a small republican government from the predations of empire. Yet, if he is less politically immoral than presumed, Lee also shows a side I did not realise, that Niccolo Machiavelli was an absolute cad. He spent his whole life telling dirty jokes, hired endless prostitutes (women and men) and carried on many affairs. He seemed a loving, if neglectful family man. He was evidently a highly charming and social man. Perhaps the only redeeming element is that he could also laugh at himself. Near the end of his life he wrote (and had performed several times) a comedic play which mocked himself as a foolish old man lusting after a young maiden. So perhaps those who have condemned Machiavelli to Hell got something right...

A small part of me would have liked more of an intellectual history of Machiavelli's key works in this biography. While he's clearly a Renaissance man with an interesting relationship with history, that thread isn't pulled out as much as I would have liked. However, given the book already runs to 570 pages, and there are many good accounts already out there, this is hardly a flaw. Don't be put off by the length. This is a quick read given the quality of Lee's prose and ability to convey the major themes of an at times bewilderingly complex era. You'll come away with a renewed sense of the man, and an engrossing historical account as well.

Highly recommended.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot more to Niccolò Machiavelli than The Prince and the sort of ruthless political machinations that are commonly associated with his name. Lee's new biography of this intriguing figure of the Renaissance is thorough, deeply researched and absolutely engrossing - very much worth the read.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book: Machiavelli: His Life and Times
Author: Dr Alexander Lee
Publisher: ‎ Picador (10 June 2021); United Kingdom
Language: ‎ English
Paperback: ‎ 784 pages
Item Weight: ‎ 568 g
Dimensions: ‎ 13 x 3.56 x 19.71 cm
Price: 608/-

‘No biography, however, is ever perfect. There are, inevitably, some gaps in our knowledge, some lacunae in the evidential record, and, while I have attempted to fill them as best I am able, I must acknowledge that, like other works of its kind, my reconstruction of Machiavelli’s life, thoughts and motivations is, at times, a matter of informed speculation. I am conscious that not all will agree – and that, as the frontiers of our knowledge are pushed back, the views I have expressed will most likely be challenged…’ – Alexander Lee (Machiavelli: His Life and Times / Preface)

Even a fortnight back, if I were asked to craft a list of the best biographies of Machiavelli, I’d keep Joseph Markulin at number one, perhaps followed by Miles J. Unger and Ross King. But this single volume account by Alexander Lee has forced me to reassess.

We’ll come to the book in a moment. Let us begin with something interesting first.

Orwellian, Kafkaesque, Sadistic, Machiavellian…... Having one’s name categorize a cooperative apprehension is a questioning rectitude.

In his dictionary of the French language, Émile Littré gives the following characterization of “Machiavelli”: “Florentine author of the 16th century who theorized the practice of fierceness and oppression used by the petty tyrants of Italy.” A metaphorical sense is proximately tacked on: “Any statesman lacking principles.” Example: “The Machiavellis who rule our fates.”

By lumbering Machiavelli’s name with an allegorical meaning, Littré did a bizarre thing, but history itself did no less. Machiavellianism is what stands between us and Machiavelli. It gives apparent form to what is evil in politics, it is the repulsive face of all that one would like to renounce, but it’s hard to close one’s eyes to it. It is also a façade behind which the man, Niccolò Machiavelli, who was born in Florence in 1469 and died there in 1527, vanishes.

In effect Machiavellianism is not a principle Machiavelli formulated, but one that his more malevolent adversaries have accredited to him. It’s a brainchild of anti-Machiavellianism.

Within half a century of Machiavelli’s demise, The Prince had taken its place on the Catholic Church’s ‘Index of Forbidden Books’ as a work of the devil, and numerous political dissertations took the title Anti-Machiavel. The genre’s originator, a French lawyer and Protestant theologian called Innocent Gentillet, would seem preordained by his name to combat the fouler aspects of the world.

Back to the book ….

The author has very perceptively shaped the context, the ambiance in which Machiavelli was created.

The author says: ‘The first is context. In the recognition that Machiavelli’s intellectual and personal development can only be seen clearly in the mirror of his own times, I have been at pains to situate him firmly in the culture, society and politics of late fifteenth- and early sixteenth-century Italy – more firmly, I believe, than has sometimes been the case in the past. Naturally, I have paid particularly close attention to the ebb and flow of the Italian Wars, the constitutional wrangling by which Florence was beset and the bitter divisions by which the city was wracked, but I have also endeavoured to give as full an impression as possible of the texture of everyday life – from Renaissance attitudes towards the family to the nature of friendships, and from the education of children to the sights, sounds and smells of the urban landscape…’

Machiavelli was born when the Medici were at the summit of their power. He was a young man when, after Lorenzo's passing, they were defeated and the republic was established. At the age of 29 he joined the public service. He was the second secretary to the chancery and held that post for 14 years.

Although he occupied a crucial position his post was not the most important one. However by dint of his position he played a significant part in policy making and had acquired the chance to enter into the innermost circle of Florentine politics.

This enabled him to acquire personal knowledge of the politics of city.

Even in foreign affairs Machiavelli was found to impede. Florence at that time was an autonomous republic. She had relations with other republics. But the relations budged very recurrently, so the preservation of equilibrium was needed. Machiavelli was a brainy and knowledgeable politician. He had appropriate knowledge in foreign affairs.

That is why he was repeatedly sent to France and Germany. He also led diplomatic missions. He enjoyed a share in the determination of foreign policy. So in both internal and external affairs Machiavelli was an imperative character.

In 1512 the republican government collapsed, and Machiavelli lost his job. With the help of French support an authoritarian regime of the Medeci was established. He was indicted of many crimes and of tormenting people and was in conclusion arrested. But the authority had no adequate documents and he was released.

This did not finish the torment.

He was forced to live a solitary life in his small farm near Florence. The enforced leisure opened to him an opportunity to think deeply the goings on of Italian politics. His celebrated work ‘The Prince’ was published in 1513 which he dedicated to Lorenzo di Medici. He highly praised the dynasty of Lorenzo di Medici.

Since Machiavelli was a man of action he could not sit frivolously. He completely utilised the imposed leisure. In 1521 his other book The Discourses on the First Ten Books of Titus Livies was published. The Discourses comprises a sumptuous scrutiny of the body politic. It has also a historical and philosophical foundation.

The most revolutionary aspect of The Prince is from Greek philosophy down to Renaissance all philosophers and thinkers dealt with the end of the state. They thought that the political power of the state would be used as a means to achieve further end. But Mechiavelli had adopted a quite different line.

To him the power of the state is the end of the state. That is, every state must target at maximising its power. The failure of the state in this enterprise will throw it into great turmoil.

After the publication of the Discourses he was engaged again in academic and deplomatic woks. He also participated in political affairs. Pope Clement VII commissioned him to write a book on the history of Florence. Historians are of opinion that Pope entrusted this task not as a recognition of his wisdom and experience but to prevent him from doing further mischiefs.

Machiavelli once said "An able statesman out of work, like a huge whale, will endeavour to overthrow the ship unless he has an empty cask to play with."

Machiavelli, we know, was not a philosopher or scholar of first rank. He was a man of affairs. He was not interested in philosophical or idealistic conceptions of the state. All these to him were of secondary importance. His chief interest was concentrated in the unity of the body politic and in its augmentation of power. His The Prince and and Discourses are full of accounts of the policies, successes and failures of the contemporary kings and princes. Political scientists say that he adopted an empirical method.

He earnestly studied the past and from the events he drew conclusions. In Discourtes we find the following comment: wise men say and not without reason, that whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times.

This 784 page book has been divided into seven sections:

**PART I THE PYGMY (1469–98)
**PART II THE APPRENTICE (1498–1500)
**PART III THE MAN (1501–3)
**PART IV THE HAND Of FATE (1504–8)
**PART V THE PRISONER OF FORTUNE (1508–13)
**PART VI THE OUTSIDER (1513–19)
**PART VII THE PRODIGAL SON (1519–27)

What do we carry away from this book then? The following fine-points:

@Machiavelli, the dazzling Florentine was in the completest sense the child of his time. The crumbling of the feudalism created the feeling of nationalism and the necessity of nation-state. The unified Christian Europe and the Roman Empire appeared to be an archaism. The synchronicity between a gigantic empire and a nation-state was awkward. Machiavelli abundantly realised it. A national state headed by a monarch was the only political elucidation to the existing problems and conditions.

@Why did Machiavelli come to this broad-spectrum deduction? Throughout Europe different groups, provinces and cities were persistently making attempts for amalgamation. But in this respect the progress of Italy was not encouraging at all. Italy was divided into numerous small city-states and there was a constant struggle among them. At the time of Machiavelli there were five larger states-kingdom of Naples in the south, Milan in the north- west, Venice in the north-east, the republic of Florence and the Papal state. Everyone including Machiavelli felt the necessity of unification of Italy, but there was no strong man who could achieve it with iron hands. So both the unification of Italy and the erection of a strong monarchy on the model of France and Spain remained a distant possibility.

@Machiavelli observed that quite a lot of factors stood on the way of the realisation of this goal. The distrusts among the states were so unembellished that none wanted to liaise with the other. He saw that in entire Italy there was not a single powerful prince who could go ahead. None had the moral and material resources required for a merger. There were sleaze, moral dilapidation and betrayal in every compass of society. Italy was the typical specimen of institutional degeneration. Violence and murder became the commonplace affair. Values and principles were banished from society. Christian uprightness and integrities were the values of the past. Licentiousness and depravity were frequent. Struggle for power was very common. Naked egocentrism reigned everywhere. It was an age of bastards and adventurers.

@Although Florence was the centre of Renaissance, Italy was deprived of its fruits. Political instability and anarchy neutralised the Frais of Renaissance, old institutions were destroyed, but the prevailing conditions prevented the rise of new institutions. She could not taste the new economic development. Commerce, trade and communication made their expansion in Western Europe in the Renaissance period. The lack of unification failed to bring about A favourable results in Italy. In a word, turmoil of Italy could not cope with the new situation.

@ Machiavelli was the child of Florence and of the Renaissance. All the qualities which characterize his city and his age appear in his enen personality." The foremost discovery of the Renaissance was ‘the man’. In the Middle Ages, man was treated as a unpretentious creature of God with no personality. His only worry was the redemption of the soul. Attainment of earthly desires was secondary to him. But Renaissance changed this attitude of man. Man's relation to God was substituted by his relation to secular authority.

@Also significant was the relations among men. Machiavelli placed the prince at the pinnacle of the state structure and not of church. He brought the prince in the relation to human beings. Ideal of religion was not essential to him. Ideal of unity and integrity was vital. Not the unification of all territories under the church was to be regarded as supreme goal.

@Machiavelli regarded the national state as the supreme goal. In fact the concept of nation-state received utmost importance in his hands. Renaissance had kept aside the paranormal ideal of divine faultlessness and had given priority to material development through harnessing the natural resources. We find Machiavelli following the same ideal. He was a man of activity and to him the world was not a place of enjoyment of beauty and comfort but a place of activity. In his opinion only vitality and action could amend the society.

To conclude this dialogue with the author’s words, I’d like to point out to the end of the Preface, where he says: ‘Yet, if this book can impart a small fraction of the pleasure I have derived from writing it, and perhaps even inspire others to delve more deeply into the life of this most remarkable of men, it will have more than fulfilled its purpose…’

Yes Sir, your tome has fulfilled its purpose.

A must read.

[Temuulen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be written at a later date.

[Andrew Reece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Lee's Rich, Bold, Biographical Epic Is A Compulsively-Readable Machiavellian Masterpiece.

There exist books that have the power to astound from the amount of hard work & dedication involved in crafting them. When an experienced writer composes the book in a compelling manner for the reader, the end result is truly an achievement, & most importantly, a pleasure to experience.

Alexander Lee's 'Machiavelli : His Life & Times' most certainly is among these rare titles. I've read one other biography written on Niccolò Machiavelli specifically, 'Machiavelli In Hell' by Sebastian De Grazia, & it is considered an 'Intellectual Biography', which means it is more of an introspective look at Niccolò's life & career in politics & statecraft. Lee's, on the other hand, is expansive & comprehensive. Were I to attach a classification to this ambitious, expansive work, I would use the term 'Biographical Epic', because that is exactly what's to be found here. This is simply a colossal piece of literature - along with the expanded notes, the book measures in at a gargantuan 750+ pages. It's truly amazing what Doctor Lee has accomplished for us here.

There are two sections of beautiful artwork accompanying the enjoyably exhaustive content, which showcase the formidable assortment of Renaissance personalities Niccolò had the good fortune of meeting throughout his life : Caterina Sforza, the infamous Tigress of Forli, the Marquis of Mantua, Francesco Gonzaga - who was infamously ugly, according to Lee; his wife, the lovely Isabella d'Este, & the famed Florentine Popes - Giovanni de'Medici, & his cousin, Giulio, whom upon being elected to the papacy, formally assumed the names 'Leo X', & 'Clement VII'. The illustrations do a spectacular job of bringing Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli's colorful political career to life in 'gloria vibrante'.

The narrative Lee weaves for us is as colorful & engaging as his book's illustrations. He uses relatable terminology & accessible vernacular which is easy to read & a joy to experience, as he follows Niccolò's adventures gallivanting across the Italian countryside on urgent diplomatic missions assigned to him by Florence's ruling council, the 'Dieci'. In order to write this book, Doctor Lee must have had to basically compose a compelling narrative around the very stiff & formal language style found in Machiavelli's surviving letters, diary entries, & professional discourses. His source material utilizes modern compilations of the documents, such as 'Machiavelli and His Friends: Their Personal Correspondence' translated by James B. Atkinson & David Sices, & 'Debts, Dowries, Donkeys: The Diary of Niccolò Machiavelli's Father, Messer Bernardo, in Quattrocento Florence' translated by Catherine Atkinson, to somehow craft a story that's fun & exciting to enjoy as he gently takes us through the arc of Niccolò's life, from 1469 - 1527. How Lee was able to somehow get everything to flow together as fantastically as it does, is, in itself, truly mind-boggling to me; I can't put into words how much respect & admiration I have for Alexander Lee & the amount of research & dedication required for so monumental an undertaking.

In Chapter XII, 'The Militant', Lee describes one of the men Niccolò was dispatched to parlay with, on Florence's behalf : 'Despite the tumultuous events of recent year, Pandolfo did not appear to have changed much. Though his hair might have been a little greyer, his cold, grey eyes still flashed with their familiar cunning, & the same sardonic smile played across his lips. Niccolò knew he would have to be on his guard.' It could have been a passage taken right out of David Eddings, or George R. R. Martin. Later, in chapter XIV, 'Walking The Tightrope', Lee tells us about Machiavelli's return to Florence from Lombardy as he journeys through the Po River Valley : 'Food was expensive, innkeepers were suspicious of strangers, & the countryside was filled with danger. Bands of brigands roamed freely &, even this far south, Venetian raiding parties were occasionally sighted. Niccolò was dangerously vulnerable.' I felt like I was reading about Rand al'Thor traveling through the Borderlands with Moiraine Damodred & al'Lan Mandragoran, uncrowned King of Malkier.

Later in his book, Lee does a wonderful job chronicling the numerous military engagements waged by the various popes in power during Niccolò's era of history. When crucial battles were won or lost, or if cities crucial to the church's interests were sacked, or they rebelled, the consequences for the papal governors or commanders responsible could be disastrous. Guiliano Della Rovere took the name 'Julius II' when elected to the papacy, & soon after he quickly began establishing his reputation as the 'Warrior Pope' due to his expansionist policies & aggressive warmongering. Julius was a real hothead, with a nasty disposition & no tolerance for failure in his papal legates. Early in his tenure, he advocated a desire to expel the dynasties of the tyrants rooted in Italian city-states, like the Bentivoglio in Bologna & the Baglioni in Perugia. After Bologna rebels from papal authority, the unruly citizens recall the Bentivoglio from exile, & the church's Legate, Cardinal Francesco Alidosi, has to flee from the city for fear of his life. Afterwards, at an audience at Ravenna, an enraged Julius blames not only Alidosi for his failure to address the rebellion, but also criticizes his own nephew Francesco Della Rovere, who is the Duke of Urbino, as well as another loose cannon just like his uncle Julius. When the audience is over, an infuriated Francesco storms out of the tent & pulls Alidosi from his mule, viciously stabbing him to death in the street.

There are some wonderful sequences which expound in great detail on what inspired Niccolò as he composed his famous works. These parts of the book were among my favorites. Chapter XXII, 'The Radical Conservative', is a spirited, energetic, & fun discussion of the 'Discorsi Sopra La Prima Deca Di Tito Livio', & there's also a few chapters which feature Niccolò's 'Istorie Fiorentine' prominently. They discuss what he was doing while he was writing it, how those events influenced his writing & the way it turned out, that sort of thing. It's pretty interesting to learn about all of it. When it came to history, Florentine Cardinal Giulio de'Medici was extremely aware of his home city's sense of culture & civic pride, & as such, he was quite active in encouraging educated Florentine citizens to compose histories to bolster the city's reputation as a center for learning & knowledge. In Giulio's time as Cardinal, & later, Pope Clement VII he helped foster an environment which produced not only Niccolò's 'Istorie Fiorentine', but also Fillipo de'Nerli's 'Commentarii De'Fatti Civili Cursi Dentro La Città Di Firenze', Leonardo Bruni's 'Historiarum Florentinarum Libri XII', Poggio Bracciolini's 'Historiae Florentini Populi', & Bartolomeo Scala's 'Historia Florentinorum'. Throughout the later chapters of his book Lee discusses Niccolò's warm relationships with some of these men who were his contemporaries, it's a lot of fun to read about all of it. Also, there is a section I found very interesting which provides background information on Niccolò's rather obscure 'Sommario Delle Cose Della Città Di Lucca', which is a summary of how the Lucchese government functioned at that time.

'Machiavelli : His Life & Times' is a rich, engrossing read, with so much content that it was hard to figure out what I liked the most about it. It isn't a book to be rushed through, that's for sure. I would guess for an experienced reader it would take about three weeks to complete if you read a couple of hours per day. The events in this book run concurrent with Francesco Guicciardini's 'History Of Italy', the 'Storia d'Italia', making it a wonderful historical companion piece to what's found in Lee's book. The Sidney Alexander translation is the one I'm familiar with, so that is the one I recommend for you as well. Early on, Lee does a fantastic job providing background information & events leading up to Niccolò Machiavelli's famous narrative treatise, 'Descrizione Del Modo Enuto Dal Duca Valentino Nell'Ammazzare Vitellozzo Vitelli, Oliverotto da Fermo, Il Signor Pagolo E Il Duca Di Gravina Orsini', & for that reason I recommend Alessandro Campi's 'Machiavelli & Political Conspiracies : The Struggle For Power In The Italian Renaissance' because it has a fantastic translation of that treatise in it, complete with expanded notes that are the best I've ever seen, no question. For great transcriptions of some of the other political dialogues Lee discusses in his book, such as the 'Discourse On Pisa', 'On Pistoian Matters', & 'On The Nature Of The French' I recommend Peter Constantine's translation of 'The Essential Writings Of Machiavelli', it's fantastic as well.

[Jordison Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Maquiavel" de Alexander Lee é uma exploração abrangente da vida, obras e influência duradoura de Niccolò Machiavelli, o filósofo político renascentista mais conhecido por seu livro "O Príncipe". Lee se aprofunda nas ideias complexas de Maquiavel sobre poder, ética e natureza humana, fornecendo insights sobre seu contexto histórico e relevância.

Aqui estão as lições do livro:

1. O contexto da vida de Maquiavel: Lee enfatiza a importância de entender o contexto histórico e político de Maquiavel. Nascido em Florença durante uma época de turbulência política, as experiências de Maquiavel como diplomata e funcionário do governo influenciaram suas visões sobre poder e governança, moldando seus escritos posteriores.

2. Realismo na política: Uma das principais contribuições de Maquiavel é sua abordagem realista à política, que contrasta fortemente com as visões idealistas. Lee destaca que Maquiavel acreditava que os líderes políticos devem entender as complexidades da natureza humana e as realidades frequentemente duras do poder, defendendo uma abordagem pragmática em vez de moralista à governança.

3. Os fins justificam os meios: Lee discute o infame princípio maquiavélico de que os fins podem justificar os meios. Embora essa ideia seja frequentemente mal interpretada, Maquiavel argumentou que governantes eficazes devem estar dispostos a empregar táticas moralmente duvidosas se isso servir à estabilidade e segurança do estado. Essa percepção levanta questões sobre ética na liderança.

4. A importância da virtù: Maquiavel introduz o conceito de "virtù", que se refere à capacidade de um governante de se adaptar, ser decisivo e exercer controle sobre suas circunstâncias. Lee explica que virtù não é sobre virtude moral, mas sim eficácia prática em atingir objetivos políticos. Um líder bem-sucedido deve aproveitar seus pontos fortes para navegar pelos desafios.

5. Fortuna e controle: Lee elabora a ideia de "fortuna" de Maquiavel, que representa sorte ou acaso nos assuntos humanos. Maquiavel acreditava que, embora fatores externos influenciem os resultados, um líder sábio pode mitigar os efeitos da fortuna por meio da preparação e adaptabilidade. Esse equilíbrio entre acaso e controle é crucial para uma liderança eficaz.

6. O papel do medo e do amor: Lee explora a famosa afirmação de Maquiavel de que é melhor para um governante ser temido do que amado, se eles não podem ser ambos. Ele argumenta que o medo é um meio mais confiável de manter o controle do que o amor, pois o amor pode ser inconstante, enquanto o medo cria um senso de respeito e autoridade.

7. A importância da reputação: Maquiavel dá importância significativa à reputação de um governante e à percepção pública. Lee observa que manter uma imagem forte e positiva é crucial para a sobrevivência política. Um governante deve ser visto como competente e poderoso, mesmo que a realidade seja mais complexa.

8. Adaptação à mudança: Um insight crítico da análise de Lee é a crença de Maquiavel na necessidade de adaptabilidade na liderança. Os governantes devem estar preparados para ajustar suas estratégias e políticas em resposta às mudanças nos cenários políticos e nas necessidades sociais, reforçando a ideia de que a rigidez pode levar à queda.

9. O papel do poder militar: Lee discute as visões de Maquiavel sobre a importância de um exército forte. Ele argumenta que um governante deve priorizar a força militar para manter a soberania e proteger o estado. Maquiavel acreditava que a proeza militar é essencial tanto para a defesa quanto para a expansão do poder.

10. Legado e má interpretação: Finalmente, Lee destaca como as ideias de Maquiavel foram adotadas e difamadas ao longo dos séculos. O termo "maquiavélico" geralmente carrega conotações negativas, mas Lee argumenta que os insights de Maquiavel sobre a dinâmica do poder e o comportamento humano permanecem relevantes no discurso político moderno. Entender Maquiavel requer reconhecer a nuance em seu pensamento e as implicações mais amplas de sua obra.

"Maquiavel" de Alexander Lee fornece um exame completo da vida e filosofia de Maquiavel, iluminando suas visões complexas sobre poder, ética e natureza humana. As lições extraídas da obra de Maquiavel encorajam os leitores a considerar os aspectos pragmáticos da liderança enquanto lutam com as implicações éticas de suas escolhas.

[Rómestámo]

(Not my OC)

"Machiavelli" by Alexander Lee is a comprehensive exploration of the life, works, and enduring influence of Niccolò Machiavelli, the Renaissance political philosopher best known for his book "The Prince." Lee delves into Machiavelli’s complex ideas about power, ethics, and human nature, providing insights into his historical context and relevance. Here are ten key lessons and insights from the book:

1. The Context of Machiavelli's Life: Lee emphasizes the importance of understanding Machiavelli's historical and political context. Born in Florence during a time of political turmoil, Machiavelli's experiences as a diplomat and government official influenced his views on power and governance, shaping his later writings.

2. Realism in Politics: One of Machiavelli's key contributions is his realistic approach to politics, which contrasts sharply with idealistic views. Lee highlights that Machiavelli believed political leaders must understand the complexities of human nature and the often harsh realities of power, advocating for a pragmatic rather than moralistic approach to governance.

3. The Ends Justify the Means: Lee discusses the infamous Machiavellian principle that the ends can justify the means. While this idea is often misinterpreted, Machiavelli argued that effective rulers must be willing to employ morally dubious tactics if it serves the stability and security of the state. This insight raises questions about ethics in leadership.

4. The Importance of Virtù: Machiavelli introduces the concept of "virtù," which refers to a ruler's ability to adapt, be decisive, and exert control over their circumstances. Lee explains that virtù is not about moral virtue but rather practical effectiveness in achieving political goals. A successful leader must harness their strengths to navigate challenges.

5. Fortuna and Control: Lee elaborates on Machiavelli's idea of "fortuna," which represents luck or chance in human affairs. Machiavelli believed that while external factors influence outcomes, a wise leader can mitigate the effects of fortuna through preparation and adaptability. This balance between chance and control is crucial for effective leadership.

6. The Role of Fear and Love: Lee explores Machiavelli's famous assertion that it is better for a ruler to be feared than loved, if they cannot be both. He argues that fear is a more reliable means of maintaining control than love, as love can be fickle, whereas fear creates a sense of respect and authority.

7. The Importance of Reputation: Machiavelli places significant importance on a ruler's reputation and public perception. Lee notes that maintaining a strong, positive image is crucial for political survival. A ruler must be seen as competent and powerful, even if the reality is more complex.

8. Adapting to Change: A critical insight from Lee's analysis is Machiavelli's belief in the necessity of adaptability in leadership. Rulers must be prepared to adjust their strategies and policies in response to changing political landscapes and societal needs, reinforcing the idea that rigidity can lead to downfall.

9. The Role of Military Power: Lee discusses Machiavelli's views on the importance of a strong military. He argues that a ruler must prioritize military strength to maintain sovereignty and protect the state. Machiavelli believed that military prowess is essential for both defense and the expansion of power.

10. Legacy and Misinterpretation: Finally, Lee highlights how Machiavelli's ideas have been both embraced and vilified over the centuries. The term "Machiavellian" often carries negative connotations, yet Lee argues that Machiavelli's insights into power dynamics and human behavior remain relevant in modern political discourse. Understanding Machiavelli requires recognizing the nuance in his thought and the broader implications of his work.

Alexander Lee's "Machiavelli" provides a thorough examination of Machiavelli's life and philosophy, illuminating his complex views on power, ethics, and human nature. The lessons drawn from Machiavelli's work encourage readers to consider the pragmatic aspects of leadership while grappling with the ethical implications of their choices.

[Jim Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Jim Cook’s review) While my favourite biography of Machiavelli is still Sebastian de Grazia’s superb Machiavelli in Hell (1989), Lee’s recently published (2020) biography is very impressive. It weighs in at 762 pages and includes a massive number of endnotes (139 pages of them!) and a reasonable bibliography of 31 pages. It also includes some maps, interesting family trees, and lovely colour plates. It’s probably the most comprehensive biography to have been published in English to date.

Lee closely follows Quentin Skinner’s interpretation of the meaning of Machiavelli’s controversial works. Lee also very much takes to heart Skinner’s admonition that to understand Machiavelli’s works “we need in turn to reconstruct the context in which [his]works were originally composed - the intellectual context of classical and Renaissance philosophy, as well as the political context of Italian city-state life at the start of the sixteenth century” (p. 2, Quentin Skinner, Machiavelli: 1981).

Alexander Lee’s book is a very detailed, almost month-by-month narrative of Machiavelli’s life, largely based on the massive amount of available correspondence from this frentic period in Renaissance Italy. This was a period full of diplomatic intrigue, state-sponsored deception, frequent outbreaks of brutal warfare, and the Plague. The period is vividly described by Lee in his detailed narrative. At times, though, I have to admit that I found myself getting a little lost in the “trees” of Lee’s so very detailed narrative that I found it necessary to occasionally take a look at the “forest” of Machiavelli’s life by re-reading Skinner’s short account of these times. (I used Skinner’s 1981 version of his book; it’s probably more readily available in its second edition, published in 2019).

It is also important to remember that Lee’s book is about Machiavelli’s “life and times” and is not a detailed commentary about the thought of this complex Florentine. But, where Lee does discuss several of Machiavelli’s writings I think he does an excellent job of integrating his writings into events occuring at the time in Niccolo’s life.

Overall, Lee has done an outstanding job. His biography will be of interest to all Machiavelli aficionados!

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Machiavelli was a noted philosopher, historian, and diplomat during the Renaissance era. His life experience, growing up in a tumultuous time when the Holy Roman Empire was warring with France and Spain over control of the region, opened his eyes to corruption and political intrigue. His service in the political sphere further opened his eyes to machinations behind the scenes and what those in power, or who wished to be in power, could do or hide to achieve what they wanted. Living through these historical times allowed him to write about goings on in real time, leaving a historical record of experience for generations to come. His most famous work, The Prince, outlines these very ideas. The work has been considered controversial because it reads as a how-to manual for taking absolute power over an area and the people who inhabit it. There is a lot of discussion surrounding Machiavelli’s insistence that violence and intrigues are just simply a way to an end. This book follows the life of Machiavelli from birth to death, discussing his personal and public life.

I cannot say that this is a book that I would have chosen to read on my own, as I have little to no interested in this person. This was a book that I read as a reference for a paper I had to write, coupled with his book The Prince. This book was well written and contained a lot of useful facts for me to cite in the paper. It painted a good picture about life during the Renaissance, which I also appreciated for my paper. If you are interested in this person, this was a good book.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexander Lee has written a well rounded biography of one of the most influential philosophers & politicians in European history and a very detailed account of the political turmoils & cultural upheavals that shattered Europe's remaining links with the Medieval world and firmly established the Renaissance on the map.
But Machiavelli was first & foremost a born & bred Florentine, a keen observer of all the political shenanigans plaguing the Italian Peninsula at the dawn of the 16th century. He is the ubiquitous secretary present on all fronts in order to save his beloved city from the bustle of wars that raged all around Florence at the time. For Machiavelli, Florence was his "laboratory" and he was its most lucid theorician.

This is one of best Renaissance biographies written in English I have had the pleasure to read in a long time!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Picador for the opportunity to read this wonderful biography prior to its release date

[Ali Rehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book is a comprehensive and engaging biography of the renowned political philosopher with the author meticulously reconstructing Machiavelli's life and career, while placing him within the turbulent context of Renaissance Italy. The book is based on extensive research, including primary sources and archival materials, providing a rich and nuanced portrait of Machiavelli.Lee effectively situates Machiavelli's ideas within the political and social landscape of his time, highlighting the challenges and opportunities he faced.

While the biography provides valuable insights into Machiavelli's personal life, it overemphasizes this aspect at the expense of a deeper analysis of his political thought. Lee's meticulous research, engaging writing style, and insightful analysis make it a compelling read for anyone interested in Machiavelli, Renaissance Italy, or the history of political thought

[Fearless Leader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book started off slow but ends on a climax. The book is written as a chronological depiction of Machiavelli’s life. It spends a lot of time building the historical context for Machiavelli’s political philosophy, specifically in regards to the geopolitical events the Machiavelli was involved in.

Machiavelli was never the central figure in geopolitical events, but his wisdom was deeply sought by Pope Clement VII and other powerful figures. Machiavelli ended his life poor and without position a few months after the German and Spanish sack of Rome in 1527, which is usually marked as the last event in the Italian renaissance. A poetic end for one of the most iconic political thinkers of the age.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb biography that reads more as a political thriller than a work of non-fiction.

Alexander Lee gracefully introduces us to the world of renaissance Florence from Niccolo's perspective. The book has been written in "Machiavellian" style, ensuring that the reader is fully aware of the political theatre of southern Europe. The book is well-structured with respect to individual parts as well as chapters. The depth of research should satisfy even scholarly readers but it is presented is such a way that a person relatively new to the subject would be able appreciate the subtleties of local power conflicts.

[Albert Jaeger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much liked this latest Machiavelli biography. It may well be the most detailed biography of Machiavelli presently available in English (762 pages; Quentin Skinner’s well-known biography clocks in at a mere 144 pages). It’s also a scholarly tour de force, as suggested by the extensive bibliography and notes at the end of the book. Finally, despite its scholarly credentials, it’s written in an entertaining and graceful style. Unrelated to all these upsides, the book’s only downside is that the binding tends to come apart after a week or so of reading.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly addictive biography - became Kindle beach reading. I spent my junior year of college in Florence, and appreciate any opportunity to take a mental vacation to Renaissance Florence. The author delivers that and more. I enjoyed the detailed glimpse of daily life in Florence. I enjoyed how well the author humanized Machiavelli. I went into the book with an overly simplistic view of a sinister Medici advisor, and came out with a much more nuanced view of the ups and downs of his life. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys the history of Renaissance Italy.

[David Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a real feel for the kind of man Machiavelli was and his times. This book relates the years of Florence's Republic in detail. You go with Machiavelli on his diplomatic missions while he worked for the Republic. You watch as he assembles Florence's Militia. He dealt with Kings, Emperors, Cardinals, and Popes. The book explains all the different political players in Italy (France, Spain, Holy Roman Empire, Papal States, Milan, Venice, and of course, Florence) and shows their motivations and reasonings. We follow the story until the sack of Rome and Machiavelli's death.

[Jonas · Rating 3 out of 5]

First two thirds of this book is mostly about pathetic Italian politics, quarrels between self-important kings, princes, bishops, chancellors and other dung. A small part describes Machiavelli's part in it. There are so many last names, dates and similar events that even so soon after reading, I probably remember almost none of it.

The last third is more interesting as it focuses mostly on him, his political ideas, art and personal life. The problem then is that Machiavelli wasn't that remarkable or interesting of a man.

[Andrew Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliantly written, deeply researched book which offers a really intimate portrait of Machiavelli and the later Renaissance in Florence. I've read a lot of books about this period, but I was impressed by how thorough this one is. It is packed with fascinating detail and the author succeeds in bringing his subject vividly to life. It's also a great read. The style is so fast-paced and engaging that I could hardly put it down. I cannot recommend it highly enough.