Introducing Machiavelli: A Graphic Guide
By (Author) Patrick Curry
Illustrated by Oscar Zarate
Icon Books
Icon Books
5th August 2011
2nd June 2011
United Kingdom
General
Non Fiction
320.092
Paperback
176
Width 121mm, Height 167mm, Spine 13mm
125g
'Machiavellian' is a popular byword for treachery and opportunism.
Machiavelli's classic book on statecraft, The Prince, published over 400 years ago, remains controversial to this day because of its electrifying frankness as a practical guide to power. Is it a how-to manual for dictators, a cynical philosophy of 'the end justifies the means', or a more complex and subtle analysis of successful government
Machiavelli was a loyal servant of the Florentine republic. His opposition to Medici despotism led him to torture on the rack and exile, and yet he chose as his model for the Prince the most notorious tyrant, Cesare Borgia.
Introducing Machiavelli traces the colourful life of this paradoxical realist whose clear-sighted patriotism made him the first truly modern political scientist. Machiavelli is seen as central to the postmodern debate on Civil Society. This book brings the creative turbulence of Renaissance Italy to life, and presents a compelling portrait of a key figure of European political history.
Patrick Curry is a freelance writer and historian. Oscar Zarate is one of the UK's leading graphic artists. He has illustrated numerous Introducing titles. His graphic novel A Small Killing won the Will Eisner Prize.