Niccolo's Smile

Elegant and accessible ... Viroli provides [a straightforward chronological account of events] in the pellucid Italian original, whose gracefulness has not been lost in Antony Shugaar's excellent translation ... The dramatics events of Italian political life and Machiavelli's participation in them ... determine the rhythm of his story. --Mark Lilla, The Washington Post Book World A welcome antidote to the cliched image of self-interested knavery for which [Machiavelli] has become known ... Viroli succeeds ... in offering a fascinating portrait. --Alexander Stille, The New York Times Book Review Elegant and accessible ... Viroli provides [a straightforward chronological account of events] in the pellucid Italian original, whose gracefulness has not been lost in Antony Shugaar's excellent translation ... The dramatics events of Italian political life and Machiavelli's participation in them ... determine the rhythm of his story. Mark Lilla, The Washington Post Book World A welcome antidote to the cliched image of self-interested knavery for which [Machiavelli] has become known ... Viroli succeeds ... in offering a fascinating portrait. Alexander Stille, The New York Times Book Review Elegant and accessible ... Viroli provides [a straightforward chronological account of events] in the pellucid Italian original, whose gracefulness has not been lost in Antony Shugaar's excellent translation ... The dramatics events of Italian political life and Machiavelli's participation in them ... determine the rhythm of his story. - Mark Lilla, The Washington Post Book World A welcome antidote to the cliched image of self-interested knavery for which [Machiavelli] has become known ... Viroli succeeds ... in offering a fascinating portrait. - Alexander Stille, The New York Times Book Review Elegant and accessible ... Viroli provides �a straightforward chronological account of events� in the pellucid Italian original, whose gracefulness has not been lost in Antony Shugaar's excellent translation ... The dramatics events of Italian political life and Machiavelli's participation in them ... determine the rhythm of his story. - Mark Lilla, The Washington Post Book World A welcome antidote to the cliched image of self-interested knavery for which �Machiavelli� has become known ... Viroli succeeds ... in offering a fascinating portrait. - Alexander Stille, The New York Times Book Review