Niccoli Machiavelli

Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance diplomat, philosopher, historian and writer whose works have profoundly influenced Western political thought. Born in Florence in 1469, Machiavelli served as a senior official in the Florentine Republic before being exiled when the Medici family returned to power. During his exile, he wrote The Prince, his most famous work, which offers pragmatic advice on the acquisition and maintenance of political power. The Prince's unflinching analysis of power politics has made Machiavelli's name synonymous with cunning and ruthlessness, though scholars continue to debate whether the work was intended as sincere advice, satire or philosophical provocation. The Mandrake, also known as La Mandragola, is a comic play that satirises Florentine society and is considered one of the finest comedies of the Italian Renaissance. Machiavelli also wrote Discourses on Livy, a major work of republican political theory, along with histories, plays and diplomatic writings. He died in 1527. His works have been continuously read, debated and reinterpreted for five centuries. The audiobook editions bring his essential political and literary works to listeners interested in philosophy, history and the nature of power.