Review by Choice Review
Viroli (emer., Princeton Univ.) addresses a deceptively simple question: why does Machiavelli's short treatise continue to be relevant and even enchant contemporary readers. It is true that Machiavelli is praised from different quarters for his realism, immoralism, republicanism, or an occasional exhortation for a return to ancient virtue, but these explanations are unsatisfactory. Viroli's inventive thesis centers on Machiavelli's supposed call for a political redeemer, a new "eternal type" of political figure whose rational approach to politics is tempered and guided by a love of fatherland and the understanding accommodation of human passions. The culmination of the infamous maxims of The Prince is a prophecy of hope. Machiavelli's highest intentions were unnoticed or forgotten for 300 years, but eventually theorists of republicanism breathed life into the Florentine's myth of political redemption. Readers will have to decide whether Viroli is persuasive, but these pages offer much to learn about Machiavelli and the debates that surround him. As Machiavelli did, Viroli writes in a brisk, forceful style that reveals both a depth of thought and a vibrant passion for his subject. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers, upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, research faculty. R. M. Major University of North Texas
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Machiavelli's The Prince has served as political propaganda for centuries, with little agreement on the Renaissance-era politician's actual intent. Viroli (Niccolo's Smile) argues that it is actually a 500-year-old plea for a moral and "astute" leader who can reverse course from the Medicis' cruel and corrupt control of Italy's city-states. Using previous scholarship to create a dialogue with opposing viewpoints, Viroli stresses that The Prince is neither satirical nor morally bankrupt but instead serves as a genuine call for a redeemer, supplementing his assertions with Machiavelli's body of work-especially "The Exhortation to Liberate Italy"-and personal correspondence. Surprisingly, Viroli doesn't address Machiavelli's bitterness at losing his own powerful position because of the Medicis and relies heavily on Machiavelli's sense of honesty, even though he was known to embellish his arguments and mythologize his subjects. As it presents limited historical context in favor of passionate philosophical discussion, Viroli's examination of the "realist with imagination" looking for a political savior, is most suited for those familiar with Italy's tumultuous political history. Illus. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Choice Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
