Machiavelli in Context
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Machiavelli in Context
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Narrated by:
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William R. Cook
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.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2006 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2006 The Great CoursesWhat listeners say about Machiavelli in Context
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Julian
- 07-11-2016
I found my views wonderfully challenged and changed
This unfolds into a great character study dotted all over with wonderful complex villains and flawed heroes, often in the same person too! There is an overarching kind of narrative that's all stitched together in the final few lectures that makes me feel like I would when watching The Wire. Don't know why but it is what it is. Try this one.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Aaron
- 13-12-2016
Awesome insight into machiavelli and who he was
Awesome insight into machiavelli and who he was. Delivery was very good. Very thought provoking!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Bianca Harman
- 15-04-2023
Totally changed my POV on Machiavelli
Professor Cook totally changed my perspective on Machiavelli and was very well researched and knowledgeable.
This made me go searching and download books to read, not just Machiavelli, but Dante (I have a hard copy packed away from a move), Cicero and other contemporaries to learn more.
From a personal perspective, it’s been a trying time, and even though his writings are driven toward politics, it is a good way for me to focus my attention away from myself on how to best help outside the home.
Thank you 😊 I love this series and have started sharing.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Howling Fantods
- 23-06-2019
good lectures with entertaining detail
You are bound to be interested and engaged with the content on this political thinker and learn much more than the straw man perceptions we often have of him
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sean
- 07-05-2020
Highly recommended
Lecturer was pretty engaging for a topic that could be a little dry, absolutely succeeded in his task of getting us to understand Machiavelli for who he actually was and what he actually stood for.
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