2.19k reviews for:

The Prince

Niccolò Machiavelli

3.52 AVERAGE

fast-paced

Boooooooorrriiiiinngggggggg
dark informative inspiring slow-paced
dark informative fast-paced

Good book. I think it did a good job describing very consisely how princes ought to rule their lands, and it was a much easier read linguistically compared to the republic. 

I will let Machiavelli speak for himself:

“I conclude, therefore that, fortune being changeful and mankind steadfast in their ways, so long as the two are in agreement men are successful, but unsuccessful when they fall out. For my part I consider that it is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman, and if you wish to keep her under it is necessary to beat and ill-use her; and it is seen that she allows herself to be mastered by the adventurous rather than by those who go to work more coldly. She is, therefore, always, woman-like, a lover of young men, because they are less cautious, more violent, and with more audacity command her.”

3.4/5

Machiavelli’s methods in acquiring and preserving power are controversial (especially in the modern era). However, I think it’s important this read this book in context, as with every other piece of literature. Found that there were many lessons that could be extrapolated to leadership roles in present times. Interesting read. Will be coming back to it at some point in the future

3.5

I DONT LIKE POLITICS!!!!!!!

Not as malevolent a read as I believe is generally attributed to this book. Machiavelli very straightforwardly sets out what works and what doesn't for rulers of various types of states. Inevitably, immoral things work a lot, but my conclusion from the book was if you wish to live a good and moral life, ruling a nation for a significant amount of time during the Renaissance is not for you. Sorry.
challenging dark informative reflective slow-paced

Book was very heavy and I could not get into it. Very slow and questionable opinions on women, as is the time period