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Art of War

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( 9,108 ratings, 208 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Art of War by Niccolò Machiavelli is a foundational classic in military and political theory, influential to historic figures like Frederick the Great and Napoleon. This edition, translated by scholar Christopher Lynch, offers a modern and clear English rendition that explores Machiavelli’s insights into the interplay of war, politics, military organisation, and strategy. It covers motivating troops, demoralising enemies, avoiding ambushes, and securing tactical advantages, enriched with maps and a glossary.
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Format: Hardback
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This edition is ideal for readers interested in military history, political theory, Renaissance studies, and Machiavelli’s philosophy, particularly those seeking deeper understanding of the relationship between war and statecraft.

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Christopher Lynch offers a substantial interpretive essay alongside Machiavelli's text that covers its historical and political contexts. He also discusses the military, political, and philosophical aspects of the work, as well as maps, an index of names, and a glossary.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Niccolò Machiavelli's Art of War is one of the world's great classics of military and political theory. Praised by the finest military minds in history and said to have influenced no lesser lights than Frederick the Great and Napoleon, the Art of War is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history and theory of war in the West—and for readers of The Prince and Discourse on Livy who seek to explore more fully the connection between war and politics in Machiavelli's thought.

Machiavelli scholar Christopher Lynch offers a sensitive and entirely new translation of the Art of War, faithful to the original but rendered in modern, idiomatic English. Lynch's fluid translation helps readers appreciate anew Machiavelli's brilliant treatments of the relationships between war and politics, civilians and the military, and technology and tactics. Clearly laying out the fundamentals of military organization and strategy, Machiavelli marshals a veritable armory of precepts, prescriptions, and examples about such topics as how to motivate your soldiers and demoralize the enemy's, avoid ambushes, and gain the tactical and strategic advantage in countless circumstances.

To help readers better appreciate the Art of War, Lynch provides an insightful introduction that covers its historical and political context, sources, influence, and contemporary relevance. He also includes a substantial interpretive essay discussing the military, political, and philosophical aspects of the work, as well as maps, an index of names, and a glossary.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics acclaim Lynch's translation for its careful and faithful approach, supplemented by valuable notes, an excellent introduction, and an interpretive essay. Harvey Mansfield of Harvard University calls it a treasure for military history and Renaissance thought enthusiasts, while Jacqueline Newmyer highlights its relevance in transcending its era with poignant warnings on ideology and national defence.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226500409

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 September 2003

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 157.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 540g

Pages: 312

About the Author

Christopher Lynch is assistant professor of political science at Carthage College.

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