Machiavelli has been a controversial figure ever since his writings were published at the close of the Renaissance. This is due to the frank and forthright nature of the guidance to prospective rulers he shares in The Prince. Not much is sacred for Machiavelli, and he does not shrink from advising about things like manipulation of public opinion, deception of the gullible, or the use of violence for political purposes.

With Machiavelli’s writings, understanding his circumstances in the turbulent late-renaissance Italy is especially helpful. We offer our readers a detailed author section to assist with this, featuring a classic analysis of Machiavelli by Thomas Macaulay from 1850. The book comes in 137x200mm format with hard cover in luxurious dark grey Van Heek Coloretta cloth and debossed details, designed by Anna-Mari Tenhunen in Helsinki.