Machiavelli

The Art of Teaching People What to Fear

By: Patrick Boucheron

Narrated by: Mack Sanderson

Length: 2 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In a series of poignant vignettes, a preeminent historian makes a compelling case for Machiavelli as an unjustly maligned figure with valuable political insights that resonate as strongly today as they did in his time.

Whenever a tempestuous period in history begins, Machiavelli is summoned, because he is known as one for philosophizing in dark times. In fact, since his death in 1527, we have never ceased to read him to pull ourselves out of torpors. But what do we really know about this man apart from the term invented by his detractors to refer to that political evil, Machiavellianism?

It was Machiavelli’s luck to be disappointed by every statesman he encountered throughout his life - that was why he had to write The Prince. If the book endeavors to dissociate political action from common morality, the question still remains today of, not why, but for whom did Machiavelli write this? Was it for princes or for those who want to resist them? Is the art of governing to take power or to keep it? And what is meant by “the people”? Can they govern themselves? Beyond cynical advice for the powerful, Machiavelli meditates profoundly on the idea of popular sovereignty because the people know best who oppresses them.

With verve and a delightful erudition, Patrick Boucheron sheds light on the life and works of this unclassifiable visionary, illustrating how we can continue to use him as a guide in times of crisis.

©2017 y Éditions des Équateurs / France Inter. English translation © 2018 by Willard Wood (P)2020 by Blackstone Publishing

If you don’t like this then you need to get explain why

This book was a tour de force from page 1 to conclusion. The onus is on the critic to disprove this assertion.

0keey-dokkie..

go reader I o about the than the reading of the prince..that's what I thought going into it has information..about ,and commenting on the work and author..
just not the text...
I think if your looking for background you will enjoy it..just remember it isn't the text itself..

Simplistic perspective

If you thought, from the length, that it would be simplistic, you were right. No insight into Machiavelli’s time. Beautifully written, though.

Great Tester

This book gives a great summary on Machiavelli with a couple references to his works and the kind of person he was throughout life. In short it's a great way to find out if you'd like to read more Machiavelli works or call it good

Sublime

A deftly written piece by Patrick Boucheron: an incisive, informative Machiavelli 101 with excellent questions and commentary. But the real pleasure comes with Mack Sanderson’s electric narration, overflowing with eloquence and pathos. Sanderson breathes life into Machiavelli himself and bolsters Boucheron’s authority with his velvet voice. Like being in the best university lecture ever. Don’t miss.

Superb

This is an excellent book of meditations and commentaries on Machiavelli. Neither a full biography nor a complete close reading of his work, this is some combination that can serve as either an introduction for those just dipping a toe into Machiavelli or a good refresher for those of us that know him well, stimulating fresh consideration. It is made up of 30 very short chapters. The only thing I wish it had more of was additional chapters on the Discourses.
The narration is also very good. Many narrators butcher foreign pronunciations, of which this book has quite a few. But this narrator does a fine job. This is a purchase I don’t think anyone will regret.