
Machiavelli in Context
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Buy Now for $38.99
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Narrated by:
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William R. Cook
About this listen
Mention the name Niccolò Machiavelli and you might unleash a powerful response - even among people who have never read a word of his writing. The word "Machiavellian" conjures up images of an indistinct figure quietly making his way through the darkest corridors of power; a cold-blooded political liar; or a coolly practical leader - amoral at best - willing to do whatever is necessary in a world governed not by ideas of right or wrong, but by solutions dictated by realpolitik.
But do these images bear any actual resemblance to the Machiavelli who lived, pondered, and wrote? In these 24 enlightening lectures, Professor Cook offers the opportunity to meet an extraordinarily thoughtful and sincere student of history and its lessons. You'll look beyond the sinister interpretations or caricatures of his writings and beliefs and get at the truth of this important Renaissance figure.
You'll discover, perhaps surprisingly, that Machiavelli believed in the superiority of a republican form of government; he wanted to live in a free and equal participatory society and influenced the development of institutions and values both in Europe and in America.
With a focus on The Prince, Discourses on the First Ten Books of Livy, and, more briefly, his Florentine Histories, Professor Cook moves easily among the different disciplines so pertinent to an understanding of Machiavelli's ideas, including history, philosophy, government, and the elements of leadership. The result is a thorough grounding in the information one needs to understand and appreciate this stunningly original thinker.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great CoursesI found my views wonderfully challenged and changed
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good lectures with entertaining detail
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Highly recommended
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Awesome insight into machiavelli and who he was
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This made me go searching and download books to read, not just Machiavelli, but Dante (I have a hard copy packed away from a move), Cicero and other contemporaries to learn more.
From a personal perspective, it’s been a trying time, and even though his writings are driven toward politics, it is a good way for me to focus my attention away from myself on how to best help outside the home.
Thank you 😊 I love this series and have started sharing.
Totally changed my POV on Machiavelli
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