
Machiavelli in Context
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Narrated by:
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William R. Cook
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Written by:
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William R. Cook
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The Great Courses
About this listen
Mention the name Niccolò Machiavelli and you might unleash a powerful response - even among people who have never read a word of his writing. The word "Machiavellian" conjures up images of an indistinct figure quietly making his way through the darkest corridors of power; a cold-blooded political liar; or a coolly practical leader - amoral at best - willing to do whatever is necessary in a world governed not by ideas of right or wrong, but by solutions dictated by realpolitik.
But do these images bear any actual resemblance to the Machiavelli who lived, pondered, and wrote? In these 24 enlightening lectures, Professor Cook offers the opportunity to meet an extraordinarily thoughtful and sincere student of history and its lessons. You'll look beyond the sinister interpretations or caricatures of his writings and beliefs and get at the truth of this important Renaissance figure.
You'll discover, perhaps surprisingly, that Machiavelli believed in the superiority of a republican form of government; he wanted to live in a free and equal participatory society and influenced the development of institutions and values both in Europe and in America.
With a focus on The Prince, Discourses on the First Ten Books of Livy, and, more briefly, his Florentine Histories, Professor Cook moves easily among the different disciplines so pertinent to an understanding of Machiavelli's ideas, including history, philosophy, government, and the elements of leadership. The result is a thorough grounding in the information one needs to understand and appreciate this stunningly original thinker.
©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great CoursesWhat listeners say about Machiavelli in Context
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- Cyrus
- 2023-04-23
Amazing Lecture!
Amazing lecture on one of the most significant political thinkers in the human history. One interesting fact is that Lorenzo de' Medici’s actions were very similar to Octavian (Caesar Augustus) which basically ended the Roman Republic and started the Roman Empire. Look into it!
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- Jonathan
- 2023-09-27
Fascinating subject
These lectures were both very interesting from a historical perspective and inciteful when it comes to academic and personal reflection
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