Folio Archives 378: The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli 2006
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1wcarter
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli 2006
This is one of the very few Folio Society publications that (except for a frontispiece painting of Machiavelli (1469-1527) by Santi di Tito done in 1580 well after his death) is unillustrated, but it does have beautifully intricate floriated letters, printed in red, for the start of each chapter.
Written just over 500 years ago, Machiavelli’s masterpiece is a treatise on manipulative politics and how to gain and stay in power at all costs, regardless of the cost to others. Machiavelli has been described as diabolical in the way he advises a prince to manipulate people to the benefit of the ruler and the loss of benefits both the opponents and (in the long term) supporters of the prince.
There is a very informative and interesting introduction by the translator George Bull, which effectively explains the book in precis form. The prelude by Tim Parkes is also informative.
The 144 page book is bound in dark red cloth decorated on covers and spine with a gilt pattern stamp to both boards. It has gold foil endpapers and the dark red slipcase measures 24.2x14.6cm.
The book reviewed here is the second edition and third impression of The Prince published by the Folio Society. The original 1970 edition (reprinted in 1975) has the same contents but a different frontispiece, decorated endpapers and is bound in blue artificial silk with as arabesque design in silver and gold by Brian Paine. It also has a rather ironic prelude by Benito Mussolini.
1970 Edition
2006 Edition
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
This is one of the very few Folio Society publications that (except for a frontispiece painting of Machiavelli (1469-1527) by Santi di Tito done in 1580 well after his death) is unillustrated, but it does have beautifully intricate floriated letters, printed in red, for the start of each chapter.
Written just over 500 years ago, Machiavelli’s masterpiece is a treatise on manipulative politics and how to gain and stay in power at all costs, regardless of the cost to others. Machiavelli has been described as diabolical in the way he advises a prince to manipulate people to the benefit of the ruler and the loss of benefits both the opponents and (in the long term) supporters of the prince.
There is a very informative and interesting introduction by the translator George Bull, which effectively explains the book in precis form. The prelude by Tim Parkes is also informative.
The 144 page book is bound in dark red cloth decorated on covers and spine with a gilt pattern stamp to both boards. It has gold foil endpapers and the dark red slipcase measures 24.2x14.6cm.
The book reviewed here is the second edition and third impression of The Prince published by the Folio Society. The original 1970 edition (reprinted in 1975) has the same contents but a different frontispiece, decorated endpapers and is bound in blue artificial silk with as arabesque design in silver and gold by Brian Paine. It also has a rather ironic prelude by Benito Mussolini.
1970 Edition
2006 Edition
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
2David_Mauduit
Which edition do you prefer?
3wcarter
>2 David_Mauduit:
I only own the 2006 edition.
I only own the 2006 edition.
5folio_books
The 1970 edition was one of the first four Folios I bought in my first year of membership (1973). Given Folio's reputation for artificial silk bindings (bad fading) I'm pleased to note my copy has stood up to it very well.
6drasvola
>5 folio_books:
I can confirm your statement on the artificial silk binding of the 1970 edition, which I also own, because my copy has not faded a bit in all these years. And yet, the feature that stands out in the 1970 edition is the Prelude that Benito Mussolini wrote for the book in 1924. On that occasion, Mussolini says that "the teaching of Machiavelli is as alive today as it was four centuries ago," adds that "to apply the adjective sovereign to the people is a tragic farce," and asks "Can you imagine a war being declared by referendum?"
I can confirm your statement on the artificial silk binding of the 1970 edition, which I also own, because my copy has not faded a bit in all these years. And yet, the feature that stands out in the 1970 edition is the Prelude that Benito Mussolini wrote for the book in 1924. On that occasion, Mussolini says that "the teaching of Machiavelli is as alive today as it was four centuries ago," adds that "to apply the adjective sovereign to the people is a tragic farce," and asks "Can you imagine a war being declared by referendum?"
