The Prince

     The Prince offers political instruction about conquering local competitors and maintaining control over them. He recommends employing any means possible as exemplified in some of the more violent passages like:

"And having taken this for his opportunity, he [Cesare Borgia] had him [Remora de Orco, a very loyal supporter of Borgia] placed in the square in Cesena, one morning, in two pieces with a piece of wood and a bloody knife beside him. The ferocity of which spectacle left those peoples at once satisfied and stupefied."²¹

and

"...he [Oliverotto de Fermo] made a most solemn banquet, where he invited Giovanni Fogliani and all the first men of Fermo. And once the foods were consumed and all the other entertainments which are customary in similar banquets, Oliverotto artfully moved certain grave arguments, speaking of the greatness of Pope Alexander and of his son Cesare, and of their enterprises. Giovanni and the others answering which arguments, he at once rose up, saying that these things [were] to be spoken of in a more secret place; and he retired to a chamber, whereinto Giovanni and all the other citizens followed. Neither had they seated themselves before soldiers came out from its secret places who killed Giovanni and all the others. After which homicide, Oliverotto mounted horse and ran the land..."²²

       The Prince is also an extremely practical book because it does not tell the reader what the ideal prince and principality is, but it explains to the reader what actions and qualities have enabled a prince to best rule a certain principality. The book is also important because of Machiavelli's vision of a united Italy, an idea 350 years ahead of its time.
       Machiavelli's reasoning was right for his time because his time was a time of frequent war and advice on the art of war was needed.  An issue of debate is whether Machiavelli is still relevant or merely of historical interest.  This is answered by the 500 years of wars, treachery and genocide.  These traditions were disliked by Machiavelli, but he recognized them as inherent to human interaction.  People have not changed, and governments, although giving lip service to justice and rule of law continue to turn against their neighbors and their own people with regularity.  Machiavelli is just as relevant as ever, some details may need updating, but the essence remains vital/