The Prince

By: Niccolò Machiavelli

Narrated by: John York

Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise by the Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. From correspondence a version appears to have been distributed in 1513, using a Latin title. However, the printed version was not published until 1532, five years after Machiavelli's death. This was done with the permission of the Medici pope Clement VII, but "long before then, in fact since the first appearance of The Prince in manuscript, controversy had swirled about his writings". The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, especially modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning politics and ethics.

Although it is relatively short, the treatise is the most remembered of Machiavelli's works and the one most responsible for bringing the word "Machiavellian" into usage. It even contributed to the modern negative connotations of the words "politics" and "politician" in western countries. The descriptions within The Prince have the general theme of accepting that the aims of princes - such as glory and survival - can justify the use of immoral means to achieve those ends: "He who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation."

Public Domain (P)2018 Flâneur Media

fantastic

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! After listening to this story,. I totally enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written and the characters were uniquely fantastic. I would suggest this book to my friends that like this sort of genera. this was a good book. The narration was great.

Great book and great performance

This book has been reviewed to death. So it's more important for me to touch up on the narration which i thought was phenomenal. York does a good job narrating and the content is superb.

A classic for a reason

A good Political education requires knowledge of this work.

Many Leaders who have read this work have been enriched and have been better prepared for the demands which are required for a political leader.


This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

The classic text brought to life

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

This is an excellent reading of Machiavelli. The literature speaks for itself, but the narration sets this version apart -- clear, well-enunciated reading that lets you absorb the impact of the work.

As to The Prince itself, what can be said that hasn't been said? It's a pillar of Western culture for a reason, and an absolutely brilliant work of literature. Definitely recommend.