Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince —A foundational work of political philosophy and statecraft. Being about fourteen pages long and published in 1532 it is a gripping, if oftentimes controversial approach to obtaining and keeping political power. Machiavelli argues that the ends justify the means, and at times a ruler must be able to engage in immortality for sake of stability and prosperity. The book discusses matters of power, the virtues and faults of a prince, types of principalities & methods to govern them. Leaving aside the question of its real or potential amorality, "The Prince" remains a strong and challenging meditation about political leadership in practice.
