Machiavelli in Context

By: William R. Cook, The Great Courses

Narrated by: William R. Cook

Mention the name Niccolò Machiavelli and you might unleash a powerful response - even among people who have never read a word of his writing. The word "Machiavellian" conjures up images of an indistinct figure quietly making his way through the darkest corridors of power; a cold-blooded political liar; or a coolly practical leader - amoral at best - willing to do whatever is necessary in a world governed not by ideas of right or wrong, but by solutions dictated by realpolitik.

But do these images bear any actual resemblance to the Machiavelli who lived, pondered, and wrote? In these 24 enlightening lectures, Professor Cook offers the opportunity to meet an extraordinarily thoughtful and sincere student of history and its lessons. You'll look beyond the sinister interpretations or caricatures of his writings and beliefs and get at the truth of this important Renaissance figure.

You'll discover, perhaps surprisingly, that Machiavelli believed in the superiority of a republican form of government; he wanted to live in a free and equal participatory society and influenced the development of institutions and values both in Europe and in America.

With a focus on The Prince, Discourses on the First Ten Books of Livy, and, more briefly, his Florentine Histories, Professor Cook moves easily among the different disciplines so pertinent to an understanding of Machiavelli's ideas, including history, philosophy, government, and the elements of leadership. The result is a thorough grounding in the information one needs to understand and appreciate this stunningly original thinker.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great Courses

Masterful teaching!

Professor Cook has organized and taught an incredibly informative and insightful class. He truly puts Machiavelli IN CONTEXT.

This is great for anyone familiar with Machiavelli because Cook provides so much rich context that will give you an entirely new perspective. It's also perfect for newbies because it gives them a chance to read Machiavelli's works with the same understanding his contemporaries would have had so you can truly appreciate the man's incredible insights on political strategy.

Context is everything!

Oh this was a brilliant lecture series, I learned so much background and context for Machiavelli's life and most famous book that it changed my perception of both. History at it most interesting. Totally worth the listen!

Cook brings him to life

This was an excellent portrayal of all Machiavelli’s works and he historical background that produced them. Cook emphasizes the overlooked impact of Machiavelli’s thought to modern thinkers.

Awesome

The fullest examination of Machiavelli i have come across, a man of deep and profound thinking, lectures were well placed and engaging,like a book you can't out down i finished the whole course in two weeks.

Great series, just not for my purposes

I have a dilemma when evaluating the Machiavelli in Context series: the content is fantastic, but the delivery verges into repetitive. I've found this problem to be endemic in The Great Courses books that I've bought; the lecturer tells you something interesting, then rephrases it several times, with decreasing levels of subtlety.

I listen to audio books when I run, to help the miles go by faster, and really wanted to love Machiavelli in Context. I've gotten a lot out of the book, so hopefully I'll have time to finish the lecture series. In the meanwhile, the pace is just too slow.