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by Niccolo Machiavelli (Author)
The classic political theory which created the field of political science. Machiavelli wrote the book years before anyone even considered politics a science worth studying. The book was not published until five years after his death. So powerful was the message in this book that the name Machiavellian entered into our collective vocabulary. "All states, all powers, that have held and hold rule over men have been and are either republics or principalities." Cover art created by Randy Dillon.
Author Biography
Niccolò Machiavelli was born at Florence on 3rd May 1469. His life falls into three periods, each of which singularly enough constitutes a distinct and important era in the history of Florence. His youth was concurrent with the greatness of Florence as an Italian power under the guidance of Lorenzo de' Medici, Il Magnifico. The downfall of the Medici in Florence occurred in 1494, in which year Machiavelli entered the public service. During his official career Florence was free under the government of a Republic, which lasted until 1512, when the Medici returned to power, and Machiavelli lost his office. The Medici again ruled Florence from 1512 until 1527, when they were once more driven out. This was the period of Machiavelli's literary activity and increasing influence; but he died, within a few weeks of the expulsion of the Medici, on 22nd June 1527, in his fifty-eighth year, without having regained office.
