Machiavelli: A Biography

Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

The story of the obscure civil servant who became the world's most famous cynic.

Art historian and New York Times contributor Unger (Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de' Medici, 2008) offers a captivating biography of Italian philosopher and playwright Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527), whose classic book,The Prince, remains a definitive handbook for practicing politicians. Born into an old, down-on-its-luck family, Machiavelli grew up in the small, independent Republic of Florence at a time of peace and prosperity. The fabulously rich Medici family ruled; great artists like Sandro Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci flourished; and bright young Machiavelli, with little money or influence, came of age aimlessly, devoting his free time to reading, whores and gambling. Yet he was ambitious. At 29, he became Second Chancellor, serving as a diplomat and handling state correspondence for 14 years. Prickly and abrasive, he was dismissed in 1513 over policy decisions leading to the fall of the republic. With no means of supporting his wife and children, Machiavelli began writing his small book on the secrets of statecraft based on his own observations during government service. He hopedThe Princewould lead to a new government job; instead, the book propelled him into political and literary history. Against the background of war and rivalries between Italian states, Unger traces the development of Machiavelli's cynical, secular, anti-clerical views, and examines the blunt precepts of his masterpiece that announced "the coming of the modern world." Shattering cherished assumptions about God-centered government, Machiavelli declared that rulers must rule by whatever means necessary. Now commonplace, his original, pragmatic insights simply stated what he called "the actual truth of things." Ironically, writes Unger, despite his disdain of honesty, he was actually "the most honest" and least Machiavellian of men.

Lively, well-researched portrait of a master political strategist.

From the Publisher

—Steve Weinberg, USA Today

"A thoughtful and well-informed study of the life of the Florentine diplomat and government bureaucrat. . . . Unger presents a side of the cynical and jaded diplomat rarely known by even those who had read Machiavelli’s notorious collection of practical and often amoral advice to the prospective ruler."

—Karl Rove

"Unger skillfully narrates the details of a life led during one of the greatest periods of artistic, political, and literary activity in Western history. . . . [He] does a wonderful job of bringing Machiavelli to life."

—Alan Wolfe, The New Republic

"A captivating biography of Italian philosopher and playwright Niccolò Machiavelli. . . . Lively, well-researched portrait of a master political strategist."

—Kirkus Reviews

"An excellent analysis of the influential thinker and his renowned writings."

—Booklist

"Excellent. . . . wonderfully readable."

—Jessica Warner, National Post

"For most people, 'Machiavellian' means ruthless, the application of power without remorse. Thanks to a fascinating portrait by Miles J. Unger, the real Machiavelli comes across the centuries as something more: a man with whom many of us might like to spend a few hours in rich conversation."

—Repps Hudson, St. Louis Post-Disptach

"A wonderful biography. . . . Unger includes details you didn't hear in World History 101, details that make fascinating reading and should put the book on the list of any history buff."

—John Monaghan, The Providence Journal-Bulletin