Showing Machiavelli: A Very Short Introduction by Quentin Skinner

Niccolo Machiavelli taught that political leaders must be prepared to do evil that good may come of it. Is his sinister reputation deserved? In answering this question, this book focuses on three major works, 'The Prince', 'the Discourses', and 'The History of Florence', and provides from them an introduction to Machiavelli's doctrines.