Reviewed by Collin Barrios
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli is a nonfiction political philosophy book that comments on the political structure of sixteenth-century Europe. Machiavelli wrote this book as an attempt to prove to Lorenzo di Piero de’ Medici that he is an effective diplomat.
The Prince is about Niccolo Machiavelli’s view on political philosophy and how he believes an effective state should be run. In the beginning of his book, he explains how republics, a new form of government that began appearing during his time, should be run as if it is a princedom. His most major lesson is that the ends justify the means. In his own words, he states that “he who studies what ought to be done rather than what is done will learn the way to his downfall rather than to his preservation.”
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli is a fantastic novel that provides insight on the way a state is operated. Upon reading this novel, one can understand the minds of those often labeled as villains. This book is perfect for anyone wanting to learn about political psychology or for anyone who want to become an evil politician. If I were to rate this book—one being the worst and ten being the best—I would give it eight evil politicians out of ten.
Collin Barrios was a junior in the Gifted program at Hahnville High. He enjoys band, playing golf, and watching documentaries.
Editor’s note: Book reviews are published throughout the summer and fall in agreement with Hahnville High School gifted English teacher Deborah Unger in conjunction with the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program and Unger’s “Adolescents Advocate Literacy” Brown Service Learning Grant.
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