The Prince:
Annotated Edition
Enter the perilous world of Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, a text that has captivated and unsettled readers for centuries. A manual for navigating the treacherous corridors of power, The Prince unveils strategies for achieving and maintaining authority—some ingenious, others profoundly disturbing. Far from a moral guide, it compels readers to grapple with its pragmatic and often unsettling approach to leadership and human ambition. So provocative were Machiavelli’s ideas that his name became synonymous with cunning and ruthless political maneuvering, immortalized in the term “Machiavellian.”
There is nothing Machiavellian in Erica Abbett’s annotations. Drawing on her time living in Italy and years as a teacher, Abbett’s annotations illuminate difficult words, cryptic allusions, and historical references with crystal clarity. Building on her acclaimed editions of The Iliad and Jane Eyre, Abbett equips readers with everything they need to navigate Renaissance politics and engage with the bold ideas that have made The Prince both influential and controversial for centuries.
Dare to confront the book that has shaped the discourse on power and provoked debate for generations—this time, with the confidence of complete comprehension. Ideal for students and lifelong learners, the Vocabbett Classics annotated edition provides all the tools you need to understand The Prince as a product of its time...and a lens into the timeless struggle for power.
For Students and Scholars
200+ Annotations
Unlock Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince. With Erica Abbett’s expert annotations, you'll soon understand the historical context, key concepts, and political theories as timeless as they are treacherous.
Annotated by a Teacher
Erica Abbett, a former English and history teacher specializing in the classics, brings her deep knowledge and passion for ancient literature to every page. Fluent in Italian, she ensures no nuance is missed.
Freshly-Translated
Translators have a difficult job of balancing the literal meaning of words with what sounds most natural. Erica Abbett has used her knowledge of Italian to provide the best and latest translation of The Prince available.
Glossary of Terms
With a book-specific glossary at the back of the book, you’ll never need to pause to Google a name or term—everything you need is already at your fingertips. Say goodbye to distractions, and hello to a new ability to concentrate.
Invaluable Foreward
Begin your journey with Erica Abbett’s engaging foreword. With a custom map of Renaissance Italy and a crucial explanation of key characters, Abbett's foreword makes understanding the text infinitely easier.
Conquer the Classic
Machiavelli wrote of the joy that comes from joining "the great conversation," where one can converse with the greatest minds in history after understanding their works. With Vocabbett Annotated Classics, the door is open to you.
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