ABSTRACT

This biography of Macchiavelli is widely regarded as Ridolfi’s masterpiece and is based on much material drawn from private and public archives. It presents a fresh interpretation of Macchiavelli’s career and writings and here, for example the dating of the composition of such famous works as the Prince and the Mandragola is established for the first time. This English translation, when originally published in 1963 included numerous correction and additions which brought it up to date with the most recent studies on Macchiavelli and his works.

chapter 1|14 pages

Early Life and Education

chapter 2|7 pages

Niccolò Machiavelli Secretary

chapter 3|12 pages

The First Commissions

chapter 4|10 pages

The First Mission to France

chapter 6|12 pages

The Mission to Caesar Borgia

chapter 7|11 pages

The First Roman Legation

chapter 12|13 pages

The Twelfth Hour

chapter 13|12 pages

‘Sorrowful Machiavelli'

chapter 14|10 pages

The ‘Idleness' of Sant 'Andrea

The Discourses and the Prince

chapter 15|10 pages

Love and Suffering

chapter 18|9 pages

The Legation to the Franciscans

chapter 19|12 pages

Niccolò Machiavelli, Historian

chapter 20|13 pages

Niccolò Machiavelli, Historian and Comedian

chapter 22|10 pages

‘Sixty Years'

chapter 23|9 pages

The End

chapter 24|4 pages

The Unarmed Prophet