The Prince

By: Niccolo Machiavelli

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 4 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

From his perspective in Renaissance Italy, Machiavelli's aim in this classic work was to resolve conflict with the ruling prince, Lorenzo de Medici. Machiavelli based his insights on the way people really are rather than an ideal of how they should be. This is the world's most famous master plan for seizing and holding power. Astonishing in its candor The Prince even today remains a disturbingly realistic and prophetic work on what it takes to be a prince, a king, or a president. When Machiavelli was removed from his post in his beloved Florence, he resolved to set down a treatise on leadership that was practical, not idealistic. The Prince he envisioned would be unencumbered by ordinary ethical and moral values. Even today, this sixteenth-century classic has become essential listening for every student of government, and is the ultimate audiobook on power politics.

Public Domain (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

dense in a negative way

it had a lot of compelling examples of how a "prince" or more aptly leader should not only conduct themselves but also rule. how they should be seen by their subjects and the delicate balance between advancing your soldiers vs your people. I understand that this was writen in the late 15th and early 16th century's but it was hard to pay attention. my problem is not with the grammar as the translator did a wonderful job but with the authors tendency to... drone (?) for lack of a better word. i am not interested in being a leader so maybe it was simply a case of "it doesn't apply to me" but beware the density of this. over all it was a good read, and I'd recommend it.

Brilliant but hard to listen to

Naturally this book lives up to its renowned reputation. It succeeds in instructing the listener about leadership and political philosophy. The reader gave the text a proper feeling of elegance.

However I would advise if one was to listen to this book, I'd recommend sitting at a desk or devoting all your focus to it. This is not a book meant for easy listening on a car ride. There are several important dates and names that are likely to be missed if one doesn't give the book undivided attention.

That warning aside, I wouldn't say another wrong thing about the book! Give it a listen!

Hot to take over the world 101

A classic of literature. Good narrator. The audio book is far more entertaining than actually reading the book. Combine "The Prince" with "The Art of War" and you should be on your very way to take over the world.

Well, in the 2010's...

FIRST READ
I did not really enjoy it because I couldn't use the information (similar to the 'invisible hand' book on economics)

SECOND READ
Work sucks and people are asses (poor dumb and in the way). I guess I need to know why my family acts this way...

PS
3.7 GPA in 2007 high-school and 3.7 GPA in 2011 University [I try to care just enough to let you know I am smart]

Research starter

I really loved the fact that soo much history is covered in about five hours.

Insightful

I had this book on my to read list for to long. Worth the listen.

Timeless Knowledge

Lengendary writer Niccolo Machiavelli's writings apply just as much to the nature of power hierarchies today as they did in renaissance Florence (save the murdering) as the nature of mankind has not changed.

Good book to understand how politics really work.

Opening was informative and the ending was mostly covering historical events where the Machiavellian idea was implemented. Politics is truly the art of deception.

Confusing, Hard to Follow, but Quite Resourceful.

I've been listening to this from time to time, not really a book you can recommend to just anyone. Its hard to follow, especially with unnamed chapters and where everything is sort of crammed together.

great articulate

a novice reader/listener i see why college courses are dedicated to these, speaks of current timeliness events in some chapters, so hard to keep up.