Niccolo Machiavelli remains one of the most influential thinkers of the Western political tradition, who has left his mark on every subsequent political philosopher. Politicians of the modern era also must all, sooner or later, confront the same practical dilemmas addressed by Machiavelli in his work. Despite Machiavelli s enduring popularity, five hundred years after his death, many of his ideas remain enigmatic, often quoted but poorly understood.





In this new study, Filippo Del Lucchese provides a concise introduction to this most challenging of thinkers. Placing Machiavelli within the context of the European political crisis of the early Sixteenth century, Del Lucchese reconstructs Machiavelli s five hundred year legacy with clarity and skill. He offers nuanced explanations of Machiavelli s vital concepts and clearly outlines the most important interpretations and criticisms of his work.





This thorough and accessible account provides students with a clear appreciation of Machiavelli s political and philosophical theories and the changing reception of his work within various disciplines. It will be indispensable reading for anyone interested in learning more about this revolutionary thinker.