The Prince

By: Nicolo Machiavelli

Narrated by: Ian Richardson

Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins

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

It brought back memories

I remember reading this for school. I loved it then and I love it now. The guidance it gives a person helps in leadership development all the way to a hostile takeover. Even though I am not a fan of takeovers, I felt I should put this in my review. Ian Richardson gave the writing a sense of historical importance. Great book to read. Great book to listen to.

try another one

narrator was boring and monotonous. made a great book hard to listen to. try a different narrator

The perfect narrator

Ian Richardson, an actor best known perhaps for his performance as a very Machiavellian Prime Minister in House of Cards, a BBC miniseries, sounds every bit the same well bred, dignified and ruthless schemer in this reading of The Prince. The book retains a great deal of relevance, with themes such as the promotion of pre-emptive strikes, the political uses of religion, and cultivation of fear for political gain. Many leading political figures are very influenced by this book. The influencial neo-conservative thinker Michael Ledeen even considers Machiavelli an 'idealist.' Listen to this for some real insight into the mechanics of power.

Timeless and chilling

I know I'm not the first to say this, but it is amazing to see how relevant this work still is, and will probably continue to be, as long as human beings are the same. Machiavelli presents a brilliant analysis of history and draws frighteningly convincing conclusions on "how to rule". Morals, honesty and lawfulness are all considered and dismissed as irrefutable laws: if one's object is to be a successful ruler, one should definitely strive to appear generous and kind, but to know when and how not to be those things. As relevant today as it was almost 500 years ago.

The narration on this audiobook is nothing short of perfect.

Lucid translation; luscious transmission

This one is ALL about the voice. The late and much-lamented Ian Richardson was one of my favorite actors. His reading is a pleasure to listen to while he imparts superb clarity to Messer Machiavelli's thoughts.

Narrator is excellent voice actor

Cheesy shakespearean accent works for the book. Very very easy to listen to him. Natural cadence. Overall great listen.

To be feared

Is it better to be feared or loved? The answer is you must focus on that which you can control and not on what you can not control. Love is given and therefore out of your control. Instilling fear is something that you can control. Great book on acquiring and retaining power, I can't believe that after being exposed to this book over 20 years ago, I finally read it. I will read this one again and again.

Those who can't teach

While a classic book, I always have to remind myself that this book was written by a bitter failed military commander who was trying to win favors by writing this book to a prince.
Some of it is good, not all of it is true.

Must read

Any additional comments?

Everyone should read this book so they know what someone is talking about when they say someone is Machiavellian.

Outstanding!!!

An outstanding and formidable reading of one of the great classics of all time by the late Ian Richardson! I have found myself listening to this book everyday and have gained valuable insight into man and his nature. This book is truly a classic because it does not deal with things as we wish them to be but as they truly are!