Machiavelli's name has become synonymous with cold-eyed political calculation, which 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. With chapters such as "Concerning those who have obtained a Principality by Wickedness" and "How a Prince should conduct himself so as to gain Renown," Machiavelli provides a practical guide based on the events and sociopolitical atmosphere during the rule of the Medici family in Florence, Italy. 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.