That Machiavelli&;s name has become synonymous with cold-eyed political calculation only heightens the intrinsic fascination of The Prince&;the world&;s preeminent how-to manual on the art of getting and keeping power and one of the literary landmarks of the Italian Renaissance. Written in a vigorous, straightforward style that reflects its author&;s realism, this treatise on states, statecraft, and the ideal ruler is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how human society actually works.