• The Capitol Hill Playbook

  • A Machiavellian Guide for Young Political Professionals
  • By: Nicholas Balthazar
  • Narrated by: David Deboy
  • Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (17 ratings)

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 Capitol Hill Playbook  By  cover art

The Capitol Hill Playbook

By: Nicholas Balthazar
Narrated by: David Deboy
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.95

Buy for $19.95

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.

Editorial reviews

Narrator David Deboy has an approachable voice which adds lightness to this step-by-step guide that combines the cutthroat philosophies of Niccolò Macchiavelli and the courtly lessons of Baldassare Castiglione. Nicholas Balthazar uses these two models of political life to demonstrate the mechanics of working for elected officials and, more importantly, shows listeners a workable middle ground.

This guide also contains answers to questions like why political staffers need to be good communicators and why they must never wear a bow tie to the office.

Deboy touches on controversial topics and common-sense knowledge alike with equal aplomb, delivering a polished performance that listeners will enjoy.

Publisher's summary

A step-by-step roadmap to success for the millions of aides, staffers, and interns in politics throughout the country.

In presenting the ideal skills, abilities, and qualities of a successful politico, The Capitol Hill Playbook speaks to today’s generation of staffers like no other book before it. Weaving together Renaissance-era political philosophies and contemporary illustrations, Nicholas Balthazar enlists the help of Niccolò Machiavelli, author of the venerable political treatise The Prince, and Baldassare Castiglione, author of The Book of the Courtier - the authoritative account of Renaissance court life - to demonstrate two models of political life and their applicability today.

Balthazar offers listeners a path between these two methods, exploring the mechanics of working for elected officials but also discussing the philosophies behind contemporary political work. The Capitol Hill Playbook answers all the questions a newly hired staffer might want to ask:

  • Why do politicians run for office?
  • Why is devotion so important in politics?
  • Why must a staffer be a good communicator?
  • Why are friendships such an essential and elusive part of political life?
  • How do you win a political knife fight?
  • Why should a political staffer never wear a bow tie to the office?
  • And more!

A provocative and informative listen, The Capitol Hill Playbook will be indispensible to any political aspirant and, with an intriguing look back to the Renaissance, reveals how politics today has both changed and remained the same through the centuries.

©2013 Nicholas Balthazar (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Capitol Hill Playbook

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    9
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

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

The edge of manners

For the longest time, I've wondered what someone meant when they said "I hate political people." Now I get it. Its not the politician thats the problem. Its surviving them when you have no clue what they might do to you. Love this book. I recommend this to any kid getting his first job. There are political people even at a summer stint.

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

Very good book.Great narrator,with beautifu voice.

Very good book.Great narrator,with beautifu voice. I loved it, real life examples are explained in a compeling way.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!