[.ca] Machiavelli on Modern Leadership (ISBN 031220471X)

From Amazon.com:
American Enterprise Institute resident scholar Michael A. Ledeen sees the same parallels today between human nature, power, and the state of our institutions that venerable Renaissance writer Niccolò Machiavelli established and expounded upon in Italy nearly 500 years earlier. In Machiavelli on Modern Leadership, he examines a variety of political, religious, economic, and even athletic leaders from the last days of the 20th century according to the exceptional tenets originally laid out in classic works such as The Prince and The Discourses. His purpose now, Ledeen writes, is essentially the same as his subject's was then: "to present the basic principles of the proper and successful use of power in language that contemporary leaders can understand, the better to advance the common good." Although somewhat brief at less than 200 pages, this spirited book nonetheless manages to measure successfully the characters of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Ted Turner, Caspar Weinberger, Colin Powell, Yasir Arafat, and many others against the exceedingly rigorous (and often controversial) standards set by one of the most enduring of all leadership theorists. Despite following a string of moral philosophers and political analysts who have previously produced extensive material on both the man and his ideas, Ledeen shows in a fresh way precisely why Machiavelli's precepts remain as valid as when they were first penned. --Howard Rothman

Superficial and shallow:
Obviously written for an American readership, this book is specious, shallow and facile. Revealing little understanding of the times or context in which Machiavelli's works were completed, it is suitable only for those seeking a bastardised view of Machiavelli's thought.

Read the Republic of Plato before this book.:
Be careful, advocates of Machiavelli! Make sure you have the right dosage of philosophy. The best knowledge is the knowdedge of right and wrong. The best rulers are phylosophers. Although Machiavelli would sure help one in the power game, without the knowledge of right and wrong, the worst scenario could be a self-fufilling prophecy. Over all, a good highlight of Machiavelli's points. Either because of typo or omission, some quotes do not clearly indicate sources. e.g. page 4 of papater back edition,isbn-0-312-26356-2.

Neocon propaganda masquerades as practical advice:
Judging from the title, Ledeen ostensibly wrote this book to illustrate how today's leaders have attained influence and power by adhering to Machiavellian principles. Such a volume would be a welcome addition to the growing commentary linking The Prince to contemporary power structures. But when the author isn't oversimplifying or omitting essential tentents of Machiavelliian theory, or just plain getting his facts wrong, he shamelessly truckles at the dubious -- at best -- achievements of John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and Margaret Thatcher. Those who have the good sense to read the back flap of the book will note that Ledeen is a "resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute," which accounts for his cultish hero-worship of the above-mentioned illuminaries. Notwithstanding Ledeen's blatant factionism, few serious, intellectually competent neocons would rush to claim the author as "one of ours," despite the whole chapter that Ledeen reserves for a meaty screed against Bill Clinton. But ultraconservatism is not his only bias. Ledeen also wears blinders that drive him toward just about any devotee of bridge, topped by Bill Gates. If one were to believe Ledeen, Gates attained his empire solely on his proclivity towards bridge. In fact, Ledeen should have had the discipline to focus on the game of bridge and its (alleged) value to anyone aspiring towards leadership because he certainly knows more about that game than Machiavelli's writings, or for that matter, their meanings. This book does nothing worthwhile to clarify or exemplify the true spirit of Machiavelli's political theory, but it certainly will delight insecure reactionaries who need endless validations of their notorious heroes. Anyone searching for accurate, practical commentary on Machiavelli that connects his principles to contemporary society, espcially business, would do much better to read Anthony Jay's Management and Machiavelli, The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green, or even the humorous, sly, and surprisingly pragmatic The Mafia Manager: A Guide To the Corporate Machiavelli by "V."

An Excellent Book!:
There are enough reviews here to cover the major topics of the book. Allow me to add that it is also very enjoyable to read. If you love politics, or are just interested in what qualities a good leader should have, buy this book!

"Machiavellian Leader" has a whole new meaning:
This book is not just for leaders, but anyone living in a democracy, simply because you get to vote for your leaders. This book gives one a whole new outlook on what a good leader should be like - not kind and caring as Greek Gods and kings of lore and old history were, but tough and pragmatic. Numerous examples of this are given throughout the book, noting modern leaders from Winston Churchill to Pope John Paul II. I liked the author's easy-to-read style as well, and the book is itself so encouraging that by the end of the first few chapters I was itching to read The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli, and dying to play a game of bridge (read the book - you'll find out).