About the Book

A timeless manual on power, politics, and ambition, The Prince remains one of the most influential works in political theory. Written in the early 16th century by Florentine diplomat and philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli, this concise and provocative treatise offers advice to rulers on how to acquire, maintain, and consolidate power—by any means necessary. With its clear-eyed analysis of human nature and statecraft, The Prince challenges idealism with stark realism, arguing that the ends often justify the means. Whether read as a handbook for rulers, a critique of authority, or a mirror reflecting the darker truths of governance, The Prince is an essential classic that has shaped modern political thought for over five centuries. This edition includes an exclusive new chapter comparing The Prince with the ancient Indian political treatise Arthashastra by Kautilya, offering readers a unique cross-cultural perspective on power and governance.

About the Author

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) was far more than the author of The Prince; he was a diplomat, playwright, and sharp observer of human ambition who wrote from exile and survival, not privilege. His paradoxes make him timeless — a republican idealist who advised princes, a satirist who exposed the theatre of power, a realist who stripped politics of its illusions. Often branded ruthless, Machiavelli’s true legacy is his unflinching honesty: he revealed the world as it is, not as we wish it to be — a voice that still feels unsettlingly modern.