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Machiavelli

His Life and Times

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Pub Date 18 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 18 Mar 2021

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Description

Unmasking the Man Behind the Myth: A Gripping Biography of Niccolò Machiavelli

'A wonderfully assured and utterly riveting biography that captures not only the much-maligned Machiavelli, but also the spirit of his time and place. A monumental achievement.' – Jessie Childs, author of God's Traitors.

Notorious and often misunderstood, Niccolò Machiavelli's legacy has been shaped by his most famous work, The Prince. But was the man truly as sinister as his reputation suggests? Alexander Lee delves deep into Machiavelli's life, from his impoverished childhood and early abuse to his political triumphs and ultimate fall from grace. Through extensive research, Lee reveals surprising connections between Machiavelli's personal experiences and his influential philosophical works.

Set against the backdrop of Renaissance Italy, this definitive biography transports readers into the turbulent world Machiavelli navigated, from the opulent halls of Florence to the Borgia pope's court and the dungeons of the Stinche prison. Lee's engaging portrait unveils the man behind the myth, offering an intimate look at Machiavelli's marriages, affairs, and the enduring impact of his ideas.

Both a captivating character study and a vivid snapshot of a pivotal era, Machiavelli provides an unparalleled exploration of one of history's most intriguing figures, shedding new light on his life, his works, and the world that shaped him.

Unmasking the Man Behind the Myth: A Gripping Biography of Niccolò Machiavelli

'A wonderfully assured and utterly riveting biography that captures not only the much-maligned Machiavelli, but also the...


Advance Praise

"[T]he definitive book on Machiavelli" - THE SUNDAY TIMES


"The result is a life of Machiavelli that must surely be definitive in its faithfulness to the man and his experience of his time . . . Lee presents a novel interpretation of his subject's thinking." - NEW STATESMAN, Book of 2021


"[A] weighty and impressively detailed biography" - THE TIMES


"Alexander Lee’s Machiavelli: His Life and Times sets a wholly new standard for English-language biographies of the Florentine thinker, synthesising recent academic research and placing his subject in a vividly described context of Renaissance society and everyday life" - FINANCIAL TIMES, Book of 2021


"His life and times are presented in their complex, contradictory fullness, as is Machiavelli himself . . . Lee is to be especially applauded for his even-handed treatment of a controversial historical figure." - BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE




"[T]he definitive book on Machiavelli" - THE SUNDAY TIMES


"The result is a life of Machiavelli that must surely be definitive in its faithfulness to the man and his experience of his time . . . Lee...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781447275008
PRICE £16.99 (GBP)
PAGES 784

Average rating from 2 members