Machiavelli

The Art of Teaching People What to Fear

Patrick Boucheron, Willard Wood

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English

Random House
11 February 2020

Philosophy; Politics & government

"Whenever a tempestuous period in history begins, Machiavelli is summoned, because he is known as one for philosophizing in dark times. In fact, since his death in 1527, we have never ceased to read him to pull ourselves out of torpors. But what do we really know about this man apart from the term invented by his detractors to refer to that political evil, Machiavellianism?

It was Machiavelli's luck to be disappointed by every statesman he encountered throughout his life--that was why he had to write The Prince. If the book endeavors to dissociate political action from common morality, the question still remains today, not why, but for whom Machiavelli wrote. For princes, or for those who want to resist them? Is the art of governing to take power or to keep it? And what is ""the people?"" Can they govern themselves? Beyond cynical advice for the powerful, Machiavelli meditates profoundly on the idea of popular sovereignty, because the people know best who oppresses them.

With verve and a delightful erudition, Patrick Boucheron sheds light on the life and works of this unclassifiable visionary, illustrating how we can continue to use him as a guide in times of crisis."

By: Patrick Boucheron
Translated by: Willard Wood
Imprint: Random House
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 190mm, Width: 127mm,
Weight: 567g
ISBN: 9781590519523
ISBN 10: 1590519523
Pages: 160
Publication Date: 11 February 2020
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Patrick Boucheron is a French historian. He previously taught medieval history at the cole normale superieure and the University of Paris, and is currently a professor of history at the Coll ge de France. He is the author of twelve books and the editor of five, including France in the World, which became a bestseller in France. Willard Wood, who grew up in France, has translated more than twenty-five books from the French. He is a recipient of the Lewis Galanti re Award for Literary Translation and a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Translation. He lives in Norfolk, Connecticut.

Reviews for Machiavelli: The Art of Teaching People What to Fear

It is never too late to break the cliches surrounding Machiavelli. He is never going out of fashion. --Le Figaro Patrick Boucheron has the talent of good teachers: he makes history accessible for everyone. --Le Monde To bring back Machiavelli, that captivating mind of the Renaissance, nothing equals the great Patrick Boucheron --Telerama