The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
This classic work of political philosophy provides a pragmatic guide on political leadership and power, arguing that leaders must do whatever necessary to maintain authority and protect their states, even if it means compromising morality and ethics. The book explores various types of principalities, military affairs, the conduct of great leaders, and the virtues a prince should possess. It is known for its controversial thesis, which suggests that the ends justify the means in politics.
The 152nd greatest book of all time
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Total Points: 1900
This book was first published in 1532
43 Lists
- score: 169 -- Harenberg Buch der 1000 Bücher - 2005 (Weight: 160)
- score: 169 -- Best Philosophy Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 160)
- score: 135 -- The Guardian's Essential Library - 2002 (Weight: 128)
- score: 127 -- The Great Books Podcast from John J. Miller - 2025 (Weight: 120)
- score: 125 -- 48 Good Books - 2010 (Weight: 118)
- score: 124 -- Top 100 World Literature Titles - 2017 (Weight: 120)
- score: 120 -- Best Books Listed for High School Students - 1984 (Weight: 120)
- score: 106 -- IWU Select 100 Must-Read Books - 1991 (Weight: 100)
- score: 98 -- As if You Don't Have Enough to Read, Best Non-Fiction from the NY Times Writers - 2011 (Weight: 93)
- score: 94 -- Have You Read 100 Great Books? - 1950 (Weight: 89)
- score: 94 -- 101 Significant Books - 1989 (Weight: 89)
- score: 84 -- Zeit Library of 100 Non-Fiction Books - 1984 (Weight: 80)
- score: 84 -- Twenty Books that Changed the World - 2015 (Weight: 80)
- score: 81 -- All-Time Classics, According to Academics - 1985 (Weight: 81)
- score: 64 -- 50 Greatest Books of All Time - 2008 (Weight: 61)
- score: 63 -- Harold Bloom's The Western Canon - 1994 (Weight: 60)
- score: 31 -- The New Lifetime Reading Plan - 1999 (Weight: 30)
- score: 31 -- Classics Revisited - 1968 (Weight: 30)
- score: 30 -- 100 Greatest Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 30)
- score: 10 -- The Book of Great Books: A Guide to 100 World Classics - 2001 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- The 100 Greatest Non-Fiction Books - 2011 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- Masterpieces of World Literature - 1991 (Weight: 10)
- score: 10 -- 101 of the World's Greatest Books (1950) - 1950 (Weight: 10)
- score: 1 -- Our Users' Honorable Mention Favorite Books of All Time - 2024 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 20 Posthumous Works You Should Read Before You Die - 2008 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Books That Changed the World: The 50 Most Influential Books in Human History - 2009 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 500 Must Read Books - 2013 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Well-Educated Mind - 2003 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List - 2018 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 100 Most Influential Books Ever Written - 1998 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Great Books - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Great Books of the Western World - 1990 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 100 Greatest Books Ever Written - 1979 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Select 100 - 2015 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Best Books Ever - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 50 Most Influential Books of All Time - 2010 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 110 Best Books: The Perfect Library - 2008 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The College Board: 101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers - 2002 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Inteliquest's World's 100 Greatest Books of All-Time - 1993 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The Best Classics - 2006 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- 100 Best Political Books - 2017 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- The 100 Best Books in the World - 2021 (Weight: 1)
- score: 1 -- Books That Changed the World - 2004 (Weight: 1)