The `Prince` was written in 1513, but it has been continuously commented on for 5 centuries. It does not say what a person should do. It says what a person does. It is not only a book of History or Political Science. It is also a book of human psychology and Anthropology.

The main dramatis personae are two. The Leader and the People, but in a necessary relationship of synergy. In this dialectic, Machiavelli's 'sanctified' purpose is primarily the wellbeing of the People and the aspirations of the Nation. This purpose 'drives' the means according to the morals of the respective time. Any 'means', stripped of purpose and lacking the synergy of Leader and People leads to transient and destructive solutions.

He who, more than anyone else, 'understood' Machiavelli's position is Rousseau, when he said that 'it seems to instruct kings, while it gives great lessons to the people - The Prince is the Bible of democrats, le Prince est le livre des republicains' (Social Contract, III,6, note).

In the analysis of the work, the author first presents a description of the Age of Machiavelli. He provides a summary of each Chapter and a new translation of his own. He includes significant comments from Napoleon and Voltaire, one an admirer and the other a critic, while complementing Machiavelli's thoughts with excerpts from his other book, the Discorsi.

Following that, for each Chapter, he presents his broader comments and criticism that attempt to adapt 1513 to today's prevailing moralities and mindsets not only in politics but in every broader social and professional relationship. Finally, he presents an Appendix where, among other things, he analyzes the philosophy of Ethics and History in relation to Machiavelli's work.

Finally, there is a selection of 'key phrases' from each Chapter of the `Prince` entitled Quotable Quotes.

[Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]