Sample

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Prince

By: Nicolo Machiavelli
Narrated by: Ian Richardson
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $11.98

Buy for $11.98

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

How remarkable that an Italian living in the 15th and 16th centuries should lend his name to a word still in common usage in the English language today. Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) wrote only one major work as a gift for his ruling Prince, Lorenzo de Medici. Machiavelli held office as a senior civil servant for 14 years until the downfall of the Republic in 1512. No longer officially employed to impart advice, instead Machiavelli poured out his ideas and resentment in his writings. The Prince has remained a prominent classic ever since; valued for its shrewd psychological insight, powerful words, and prophetic quality. And even today, it has never lost its power to shock and influence. Ian Richardson's formidable reading of this modern unabridged translation is an accessible and entertaining way in to a truly compelling world view.
Public Domain (P)2005 CSA Telltapes Ltd

What listeners say about The Prince

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    200
  • 4 Stars
    118
  • 3 Stars
    67
  • 2 Stars
    21
  • 1 Stars
    5
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    156
  • 4 Stars
    49
  • 3 Stars
    24
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    131
  • 4 Stars
    62
  • 3 Stars
    34
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Narrator from British "House of Cards" adds depth

I enjoys this audiobook version of Machiavelli's "The Prince" more than the others because Ian Richardson gives it the proper depth and emotion you would expect from a classic philosophical work from the Renaissance about power and how to keep it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best narrator for The Prince

I wish there was an exact translation on kindle for the text that would sync with this audio.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Deals intellengently with how to maintain power

What did you love best about The Prince?

The clear, concise definitions of what each cataglory is and how to maintain your power in each.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

That it provided examples of possible pit fall and how to avoild them.

What about Ian Richardson’s performance did you like?

good

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

that this book deserves further study by anyone who craves power.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Masterpiece with perfect narraration

Having read this book years ago I didn’t understand its meaning. But after studying the Medici and Borgias along with the overall renaissance I finally understand the dedication to Lorenzo the Unfortunate and that it was written using Cesare Borgia as the model of “The Prince”. Plus, as having been in the business world for almost 30 years you can replace the word Prince with CEO and Principality with company and it translates beautifully to corporate leadership. Narration was perfection especially since the actor was the lead in the original “House of Cards”.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Prince is as relevant today as ever

Would you listen to The Prince again? Why?

I am going to buy a hard copy of the book. Often when I read a book that I want to refer to in the future I turn around and buy a hard copy. However, this was so interesting and insightful that I may even listen to the book again. This is a classic because it is genius. It clearly and concisely lays out the political strategy used by President Obama to gain power, and I suspect others have used parts as well. Obviously, you can not murder your opponents, but you can do everything possible to destroy (legally) those who oppose you. That is clearly the strategy used by everyone in power these days. Except in Iran, Syria, Egypt, or Libya where they actually do kill their opponents. Watch Putin as he deals with his political opponents, he jails them or runs them out of the country, or has them killed. Nothing has changed much, only the names and dates. This is as good an analysis of political (or bureaucratic) behavior as one can find.

What other book might you compare The Prince to and why?

Really, for me the Prince was unique. I like old books that shed light on our modern lives. I include "Democracy in America" by D' Tocqueville and the "Protestant Ethic" by Max Weber in that category. I also include "Confessions" by St. Augustine and Plato's descriptions of Socrates's works.

Which scene was your favorite?

Machiavelli's description of his analysis of ancient kingdoms and principalities and how they were brought low by 1). other Nobles/elites; 2). the common people; 3). foreigners; or 4). Their own army. This of course is exactly the same from ancient times through today.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I listened to it over a period of days.

Any additional comments?

I did not listen to the Prince until i was 59 years old. I should have listened to it when i was 29! This is good instruction for anyone analyzing any organization and its leadership and power struggles. Understanding these basic principles will help one make sense of the world in which we live.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Really Machiavellian !

The narrator is great but the content is too out-of-principles for me!!
Just finished the 7 habits of highly effective people listening to Stephen Covey emphasizing for 12 hours on the importance of real deep principles then Machiavelli, feeling dizzy :)

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

great classic but reading too pompous

It's a pity this wonderful classic is read in a style which is too pompous and afected to be plesant.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Lifts the veil of politics and politicians...

Awesome book. Gave incredible insight to what is going on in today's politics. Must be required reading for members of congress. Ian Richardson reads the book as if he has memorized his lines and is reading it as if he were reading it to The Prince. His knowledge was worth more than gold. I was sad it was over...

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    out of 5 stars

Elegant Work!

Elegantly written and read! Highly recommended.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful