130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿 

Happy Long Weekend! We're open all 3 days! 📚 Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Discourses on Livy

The Politics Classic
By Niccolò Machiavelli
Series: Capstone Classics
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
Machiavelli’s pragmatic blueprint for republican government and active citizenship In Discourses on Livy: The Politics Classic, Niccolò Machiavelli reveals a radically different political vision than the one portrayed in the autocratic ruthlessness of The Prince. Through careful commentary on Livy’s history of republican Rome, Machiavelli proposes... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3299
Elsewhere:
$3599
Pre-order
Releases 21st December 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Discourses on Livy" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

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

Machiavelli’s pragmatic blueprint for republican government and active citizenship

In Discourses on Livy: The Politics Classic, Niccolò Machiavelli reveals a radically different political vision than the one portrayed in the autocratic ruthlessness of The Prince. Through careful commentary on Livy’s history of republican Rome, Machiavelli proposes a system of government that upholds civic freedom and security by instilling active citizenship virtues while encouraging citizens to prioritise state needs above selfish interests.

Ambitious in scope yet clear-eyed and pragmatic, Discourses forms a modern theory of republican politics and continues to shine a light on contemporary financial, economic, and political issues regarding the role of the state and democracy.

Readers will also discover:

  • Machiavelli’s carefully argued framework for maintaining civic freedom while balancing individual liberty against collective state security and prosperity.
  • Practical insights on how republican institutions can cultivate virtuous citizens who actively participate in governance and public affairs.
  • Analysis of Roman history that illuminates timeless patterns in political behaviour, institutional design, and the preservation of liberty.
  • A counterpoint to The Prince that showcases Machiavelli’s nuanced understanding of both autocratic and democratic forms of government.

This edition features an introduction by Tom Butler-Bowdon, editor of the Capstone Classics series, that contextualises this classic work within modern political philosophy and contemporary governance debates.

Essential reading for anyone interested in political philosophy, governance theory, or the foundations of republican thought, Discourses on Livy offers timeless wisdom for citizens, students, and professionals seeking to understand the enduring tensions between individual freedom and collective responsibility in democratic societies.

Series: Capstone Classics

View all
  • Meditations
    A deluxe special edition of the ancient classic encompasses the profound wisdom and introspection of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, famously known as “The Philosopher.” Meditations is a timeless collection of personal reflections penned by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from 169 AD to 180 AD. Renowned as one of the last of the “Five Good Emperors,” Marcus Aurelius was...
    By Marcus Aurelius
    Hardback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Letters from a Stoic
    Letters from a Stoic by Donald Robertson and Seneca is an outstanding compilation offering profound insights into Stoic philosophy through a series of personal and poignant letters. Set in the Roman era, these letters serve as a medium through which Seneca, an esteemed stoic philosopher and statesman, communicates his wisdom to his friend and protégé, Lucilius Junior. Covering timeless topics...
    By Donald Robertson and Seneca
    Hardback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    Backorder
    Ships mid November
  • Think and Grow Rich
    The greatest motivational book of all time! “Truly ‘thoughts are things,’ and powerful things at that, when they are mixed with definiteness of purpose, persistence, and a burning desire for their translation into riches, or other material objects.” (taken from Chapter 1, Introduction) Napoleon Hill's thirteen-step programme will set you on the path to wealth and success. Think and Grow...
    By Napoleon Hill
    Hardback
    $5100
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • On Sale
    16% off
    Beyond Good and Evil
    A deluxe, high-quality edition of Friedrich Nietzsche’s seminal work Beyond Good and Evil is one of the final books by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. This landmark work continues to be one of the most well-known and influential explorations of moral and ethical philosophy ever conceived. Expanding on the concepts from his previous work Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Nietzsche adopts a polemic...
    By Friedrich Nietzsche
    Hardback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Thus Spoke Zarathustra
    Thus Spoke Zarathustra, penned by the enigmatic Friedrich Nietzsche, is a profound narrative that melds philosophy with literature, encapsulating the existential musings of a prophetic figure named Zarathustra. Emerging from a life of solitude and reflection in the mountains, Zarathustra descends to impart his philosophical revelations to humanity. He seeks to challenge the norms and offers transformative insights that explore...
    By Friedrich Nietzsche
    Hardback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Essays by Montaigne
    An essential companion to the most relevant works of Michel de Montaigne Essays: The Philosophy Classic delivers a carefully curated collection of thought-provoking works by sixteenth-century thinker Michel De Montaigne. Exploring topics as diverse as politics, poetry, love, friendship and the purpose of philosophy, this latest entry in the celebrated Capstone Classics series is accessible and intuitively organized. Follow the...
    By Michel De Montaigne
    Hardback
    $3600
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • The Interpretation of Dreams
    Part of the bestselling Capstone Classics Series edited by Tom Butler-Bowdon, this collectible, hard-back edition of The Interpretation of Dreams provides an accessible and insightful edition of this important work of psychology. Sigmund Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams introduced his ground-breaking theory of the unconscious and explored how interpreting dreams can reveal the true nature of humanity. Regarded as Freud's...
    By Sigmund Freud
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Republic
    The Republic by Plato remains one of the most profound and influential works in Western philosophy and political theory, offering keen insights into the heart of human justice and governance. Set as a Socratic dialogue, the narrative unfolds through the engaging discussions between Socrates and a group of Athenian citizens. These dialogues explore the nature of justice, the formation of...
    By Plato
    Hardback
    $3100
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • Utopia
    What we can learn from a Renaissance nowhere In 1516, a book was published in Latin with the enigmatic Greek-derived word as its title. Utopia—which could mean either "good-place" or "no-place"—gives a traveler's account of a newly discovered island somewhere in the New World where the inhabitants enjoy a social order based purely on natural reason and justice. As the...
    By Thomas More
    Hardback
    $2599
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Twelve Years a Slave
    DISCOVER A TALE OF UNIMAGINABLE ADVERSITY Twelve Years a Slave tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free-born man of colour who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the American South in 1841. His true tale of captivity, torture and abuse brings to life the unimaginable evils of slavery in a time when it was yet to be outlawed....
    By Solomon Northup
    Hardback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • The Wealth of Nations
    THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOK ON MODERN ECONOMICS The Wealth of Nations is an economics book like no other. First published in 1776, Adam Smith's groundbreaking theories provide a recipe for national prosperity that has not been bettered since. It assumes no prior knowledge of its subject, and over 200 years on, still provides valuable lessons on the fundamentals of economics....
    By Adam Smith
    Hardback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Science of Getting Rich
    The original guide to creating wealth! With this seminal book, Wallace Wattles popularised the Law of Attraction, the powerful concept that inspired The Secret. The Science of Getting Rich explains how to attract wealth, overcome emotional barriers, and apply foolproof methods to bring financial success into your life. This special 100-year edition contains the complete, original text, along with never-before...
    By Tom Butler-Bowdon and Wallace Wattles
    Hardback
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781907326264

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 26 November 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Capstone Publishing Ltd

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Tom Butler-Bowdon

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Weight: 0g

Pages: 560

Collections

Ancient & Classical History Education & Reference Niccolo Machiavelli Niccolò Machiavelli Non-Fiction Non-Fiction Pre-Orders Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Politics & Current Affairs Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Series: Capstone Classics

Also by Niccolò Machiavelli

View all
  • The Prince
    As a diplomat in the turbulent landscape of fifteenth-century Florence, Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was acutely aware of how rapidly political fortunes could shift. Leveraging this deep understanding, The Prince serves as a pragmatic and tough-minded handbook on the mechanisms of power. This seminal work explores the complexities of leadership and political manoeuvring, grappling with essential questions: How does a leader...
    By Niccolo Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1799
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Prince: Popular Penguins
    As a diplomat in turbulent fifteenth-century Florence, Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) was deeply familiar with the swift and often ruthless changes in political power. In The Prince, Machiavelli presents a pragmatic and unflinching analysis of the mechanics of power, leadership, and statecraft. Written in 1513, this seminal work remains a cornerstone of political theory and an essential read for anyone interested...
    By Niccolo Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $1599
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Prince
    Pocket Hardbacks - the new non-fiction series that combines the collectability of Clothbound Classics with the popular spirit of Great Ideas. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli is the Bible of realpolitik, a tough-minded, pragmatic handbook on how power really works, and how to hold on to it in a dangerous world. How can a leader be strong? Is it better...
    By Niccolo Machiavelli
    Hardback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Prince
    The Prince, authored by the Italian Renaissance political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli, delves into the intricacies of political power, leadership, and the pragmatic demands of statecraft. This seminal work, written in 1513, offers a candid and sometimes unsettling examination of the strategies necessary for a ruler to maintain authority and ensure the stability of their dominion. Unlike idealistic treatises that preceded...
    By Niccolò Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $3000
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • The Discourses
    Few figures in intellectual history have proved as notorious and ambiguous as Niccolo Machiavelli. For while his treatise The Prince made his name synonymous with autocratic ruthlessness and cynical manipulation, The Discourses (c.1517) shows a radically different outlook on the world of politics. In this carefully argued commentary on Livy's history of republican Rome, Machiavelli proposes a system of government...
    By Niccolo Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Prince: The Original Classic
    THE HANDBOOK FOR LEADERS The Prince is often regarded as the first true leadership book. It shocked contemporary readers with its ruthless call for fearless and effective action. With simple prose and straightforward logic, Machiavelli's guide still has the power to surprise and inform anyone hoping to make their way in the world. This keepsake edition includes an introduction by...
    Hardback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • The Prince (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions)
    The Prince is famously encapsulated in the phrase, "It is safer to be feared than loved." This sentiment captures the essence of Niccolo Machiavelli's seminal work in political philosophy. In this classic text, Machiavelli offers guidance on how rulers should acquire and ruthlessly exercise power, a concept that remains pertinent to readers even over five centuries after its initial publication....
    By Niccolo Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Quotable Machiavelli
    A collection of insightful and revealing quotations on a wide range of subjects from the father of modern politics Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527) is the father of modern political thought, but he is also one of the greatest writers of the Renaissance, and his wisdom and style extend far beyond politics to encompass a compelling philosophy of life as well. In...
    Paperback
    $3499
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Prince (Hero Classics)
    Part of the Hero Classics series "Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are." The Prince is generally labeled as a cynical and overly pragmatic account of gaining and retaining political power. It is a significant deviation from the righteous meditations of Plato and Aristotle, which emphasise the goodness of human nature. Living in a...
    By Niccolo Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $3299
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Art of War
    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...
    By Niccolò Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $3599
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • Art of War
    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...
    By Christopher Lynch and Niccolò Machiavelli
    Hardback
    $8199
    Available
    Ships in 3-4 weeks
  • Discourses on Livy
    Discourses on Livy (1531) is as essential to an understanding of Machiavelli as his famous treatise, The Prince. Equally controversial, it reveals his fundamental preference for a republican state. Comparing the practice of the ancient Romans with that of his contemporaries provided Machiavelli with a consistent point of view in all his works. Machiavelli's close analysis of Livy's history of...
    By Niccolo Machiavelli
    Paperback
    $4200
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

More from Philosophy & Psychology

View all
  • Atomic Habits
    Atomic Habits by James Clear is a transformative guide that demonstrates how tiny, incremental changes in behaviour can fundamentally reshape your life. Rather than urging sweeping transformations, Clear advocates for the compound effect of hundreds of small decisions. Whether it’s performing two push-ups a day, waking up five minutes earlier, or making a brief, focused phone call, these minuscule adjustments,...
    By James Clear
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • How Lucky Am I
    New Release
    How Lucky Am I
    The first full book featuring social media sensation Mr. Skelly, with over 5 million global followers, a skeleton who teaches us that life is a gift to be treasured, reminding us how lucky we all are to live in this present moment. For readers of The Book of Gifts and The Little Frog’s Guide to Self Care. In this poignant,...
    By Christian Watson
    Hardback
    $4299
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Winner's Formula
    The Neuroscience of Peak Performance, Success, and Happiness Why do some people win all the time? Why do others languish? From Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, addicts to billionaires, cognitive neuroscientist Dr Kerry Spackman has spent decades working to help people understand how to succeed. In The Winner's Formula, Kerry explains what goes on in your brain when you are...
    By Kerry Spackman
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Creative Act
    Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else: creating a space where artists of all different genres and traditions can home in on who they really are and what they really offer. He has made a practice of helping people transcend their self-imposed...
    By Rick Rubin
    Hardback
    $4400
    Elsewhere:
    $5500
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • On Sale
    23% off
    1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four
    In the drab and oppressive world of 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell introduces us to Winston Smith, a man haunted by the omnipresent surveillance and control exercised by the Party and its enigmatic leader, Big Brother. Winston works diligently at the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to alter historical records to fit the ever-changing narrative dictated by the...
    By George Orwell
    Paperback
    $1000
    Usually:
    $1299
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Strangers
    The must-read memoir of the end of a marriage and the start of a personal revolution, based on the iconic Modern Love essay in the New York Times and perfect for fans of Glennon Doyle. "A beautifully written eulogy for the loss of a relationship" — Joyce Carol Oates How do we go on when a loved one betrays us?...
    By Belle Burden
    Paperback
    $3299
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • On Sale
    21% off
    Aroha
    Aroha by Dr Hinemoa Elder is an enlightening exploration of timeless Maori wisdom, intricately woven into a contemporary context. This top-selling non-fiction title from New Zealand in 2021 introduces readers to 52 traditional Maori proverbs, known as whakataukī, each offering a profound lesson for every week of the year. Dr Elder, a respected Maori psychiatrist, delves into these powerful sayings...
    By Dr Hinemoa Elder
    Hardback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • On Sale
    12% off
    Dylan's Pick Dylan's Pick
    Lessons on Living
    Bestselling author Nigel Latta's simple psychological toolkit for life's ups and downs. Over thirty years working as a clinical psychologist, Nigel Latta assembled a personal toolkit based on three simple principles. These principles helped him to be more resilient, joyful, and attuned to what matters most. The same principles have helped him through some difficult times as well, such as...
    By Nigel Latta
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Eat Your Ice Cream
    Eat Your Ice Cream
    The New York Times bestseller that presents a bold new vision for living well and ageing with purpose from a world-renowned health expert THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From a leading doctor and world-renowned health expert, the simple, uplifting and practical guide to cutting through the wellness noise, living well and ageing with purpose. ‘Essential reading for anyone who...
    By Dr Ezekiel J. Emanuel
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $4000
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The Courage to be Disliked
    The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga presents an enlightening and thought-provoking dialogue between a philosopher and a young man disillusioned with life. In a series of conversations, the philosopher introduces the principles of Alfred Adler's psychology, advocating for personal empowerment and mental freedom. Through this engaging dialogue, the young man learns to confront the societal...
    By Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • Better Never Stops
    On Sale
    16% off
    New Release
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Better Never Stops
    The Art and Science of Continuous Improvement From delinquent to doctor, Paul Wood knows first-hand how far we can take our lives if we address what holds us back. At the age of 18, Wood was sent to New Zealand's toughest prison. Almost 11 years later, in 2006, he walked out a free man, escaping his past and becoming a...
    By Paul Wood
    Paperback
    $2700
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday
  • The DOSE Effect
    The DOSE Effect offers small habits to boost your brain chemistry. "This book will help you find more motivation, create deeper connections, energise your body, and destress your mind," says Jay Shetty, author of Think Like a Monk. Life can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Today’s fast-paced world leaves many of us struggling with extreme emotional highs...
    By TJ Power
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships Tuesday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

The Latest at Book Hero

View all