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ratings: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Genre: Political Philosophy / Classic / History

Book Review:
''The Prince'' is a book that has been both reviled and revered for centuries. It's a short, blunt, and utterly unsentimental handbook on how to gain and keep political power. Machiavelli throws out the rulebook on traditional morality and looks at politics as it actually is, not as it should be. He tells rulers that it's better to be feared than loved, that they must be willing to break their promises, and that cruelty, if used decisively and for the right reasons, can be a tool of good governance. It's a chilling read in places, but it's also brilliant. His insights into human nature and the dynamics of power are timeless. You can see his ideas at work in politics and business all around you today. This new translation by Tim Parks is excellent, making the text feel fresh and accessible. It's an essential read for anyone who wants to understand how the world really works.