Machiavelli: the prince

This new edition of the acclaimed translation of Niccolò Machiavelli's "The Prince" - revised for the first time after 30 years - includes a rewritten and extended introduction by Quentin Skinner. Skinner's introduction offers a lucid analysis of Machiavelli's text both as a response to the world of Florentine politics and as a critical engagement with the classical and Renaissance genre of advice-books for princes. This edition also features an improved timeline of key events in Machiavelli's life, helping the reader place the work in the context of its time, in addition to an enlarged and fully updated bibliography.

Includes appendixes.

Introduction -- Principals events in Machiavelli's life -- Translator's note -- Map -- Dedicatory letter -- 1. The different kinds of principality and how they are acquired -- 2. Hereditary principalities -- 3. Mixed principalities -- 4. Why the Kingdom of Darius, conquered by Alexander, did not rebel against his successors after Alexander's death -- 5. How one should govern cities or principalities that, before being conquered, used to live under their own laws -- 6. New principalities acquired by one's own arms and ability -- 7. New principalities acquired through the power of others and their favour -- 8. Those who become rulers through wicked means -- 9. The civil principality -- 10. How the strength of all principalities should be measured -- 11. Ecclesiastical principalities -- 12. The different types of army, and mercenary troops -- 13. Auxiliaries, mixed troop and negative troops -- 14. How a ruler should act concerning military matters -- 15. The things for which men, and especially rulers, are praised or blamed -- 16. Generosity and meanness -- 17. Cruelty and mercifulness and whether it is better to be loved or feared -- 18. How rulers should keep their promises -- 19. …