The Art of War

ebook: The Art of War

Sprache - Englisch

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About the eBook

DigiCat presents 2 Political Masterpieces by Niccolò Machiavelli: The Prince & The Art of War. The Prince: Il Principe (The Prince) is a political treatise by the Florentine philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, written c. 1513, published posthumously 1532. The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning how to consider politics and ethics. Machiavelli dedicated The Prince to the ruling Medici of the time, leading some today to still speculate whether the book was a satire. Niccolò Machiavelli asserted that The Prince (president, dictator, prime minister, etc.) does not have to be concerned with ethics, as long as their motivation is to protect the state. It is this questionable belief that in many ways had lead to the modern world as we know it. His assertion was that the head of state must protect the state no matter the cost and no matter what rules he or she breaks in the process. The Art of War: written between 1519 and 1520 and published in 1521. It was the only historical or political work printed during Machiavelli's lifetime. Voltaire said, "Machiavelli taught Europe the art of war; it had long been practiced, without being known." Machiavelli considered The Art of War his greatest achievement. This book teaches how to recruit, train, motivate, and discipline an army, shows the difference between strategy and tactics. Machiavelli does a masterful job of breaking down and analyzing historic battles.


About the Author

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) stands as one of the most influential political theorists and writers in Western intellectual history. Born in Florence, Italy, during the Renaissance, Machiavelli served as a statesman for the Florentine Republic, an experience that furnished him with a pragmatic understanding of governance and power dynamics. After his fall from political favor, Machiavelli devoted himself to scholarship, producing major works that came to shape political theory. His seminal treatise, 'The Prince', remains his most renowned work, offering a realistic analysis of political leadership and a guide to statecraft, wherein he infamously advocated for the notion that the ends justify the means. 'The Art of War' (1521), another significant contribution, explores military strategy and organization, reflecting Machiavelli's engagement with ancient Roman tactics and his own contemporary military knowledge. This work cements Machiavelli's status as a military theorist, diverging from the conventional diplomacy-focused approach of his era. His literary style, characterized by lucidity and a certain candor in addressing the stark realities of political maneuvering, has continued to incite both commendation and controversy. His writings laid the foundation for modern political philosophy, signaling a departure from traditional notions of ethics and morality in politics and favoring a more secular and pragmatic approach to leadership and statecraft.

Product Details

Publisher: DigiCat

Genre: Sprache - Englisch

Language: English

Size: 440 Pages

Filesize: 512.5 KB

ISBN: 8596547404996

Published: