"The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli was published in 1532, almost 20 years after he wrote it, and some 5 years after his
death. A Florentine public servant, he was forced out of
political life in 1512 by the return to power of the Medici family, at which point he devoted himself to writing several works, of which "The Prince" was one. His work as a diplomat gave him an insight into the minds of some of the greatest people of his time.
Even during a time of enlightenment,"The Prince" was a revolutionary work and was listed as a prohibited book by the Catholic Church in 1559. The favouring of expedience over moral issues in the book lead to the author's name becoming a byword for covert acts, betrayal, cunning and deceit.
"The Prince" is essentially a political reference for the powerful or the ambitious. It is scholarly and skilful while remaining accessible and straightforward. It is well-researched, using historical examples of how and how not to govern states that are either aquired, annexed or inherited. It is
practical and pragmatic; it points out that moral or ethical concerns may stand in the way of success.
There is no doubt the book was written with parts designed to flatter the intended reader of Machiavelli's time, but intriguingly the book also contains parts that the more virtuous reader may have taken as implied insults.
Most intriguing of all is the book's continued relevance. As long as we continue to wage war, seek power and put "spin" on the truth, it will continue to be relevant.