Niccolo Machiavelli An intellectual biography

Vivanti offers a comprehensive analysis of the thought of Machiavelli situated against the backdrop of political and biographical developments in the early 16th century. The author argues that, much like contemporary transformations brought about by the Protestant Reformation, voyages of exploration, and consolidation of the northern monarchies, Machiavelli's writings transformed political thought. In particular, Machiavelli was instrumental in the formulation of the concept of a "civil society," a crucial aspect of Western democratic societies in which people were empowered through "institutions" with "rights and powers." Few writers possess better qualifications to write this study: Vivanti was the editor of the works of Machiavelli and a premier Italian historian of the early modern period before his death in late 2012. The book is accessible as an introductory text, although even visitors to the voluminous historiography on Machiavelli will identify controversial points on specific works, as well as in Vivanti's overarching claims. It will be a useful addition to other synthetic works on Machiavelli, such as John Najemy's recent Cambridge Companion to Machiavelli (2010). Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above. B. J. Maxson East Tennessee State University

Vivanti's book doesn't supplant Roberto Ridolfi's flagship study of 1963, The Life of Niccolo Machiavelli, but it should sit comfortably on the shelf with that classic account. Past editor of the standard Italian edition of Machiavelli's works, Vivanti, an emeritus history professor who died in 2012, intertwines analysis of the Florentine's writings with discussion of the rapidly changing milieu in which Machiavelli lived. His judgments are well founded throughout but disputable in some details. Vivanti sees Machiavelli's life as part of the flowering of the humanist movement that was changing the intellectual tone of his day. Serious readers may question this emphasis on continuity across Machiavelli's writings, but there are many rooms in this mansion and many views can be accommodated. A serious omission is Vivanti's failure, in a lengthy discussion of the use of "lo stato" in Machiavelli, to address J.H. Hexter's argument ("Il Principe and lo stato," 1957) that "lo stato" is not seen as an institution, a body politic, in "Il Principe" but rather as "an instrument of exploitation." VERDICT Overall, this graceful and informative biography should win many readers and is a welcome addition to Machiavelli scholarship. While public libraries may have Miles J. Unger's Machiavelli: A Biography, they should consider this work as well; it is recommended for all scholarly collections.-David Keymer, Modesto, CA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

The late Vivanti was a man who knew the works of Machiavelli inside and out. This book is not a biography of the man but an exploration of his writings. Those who have read The Prince, The Art of War and The Discourses will have a leg up on everyone else reading this book, as Vivanti highlights the writings of this Florentine clerk and connects them to the local history. Some knowledge of local events in the 15th- and 16th-century Italian states is a must, especially regarding the Holy Roman Emperor, the king of France, numerous popes and local politicians, all of whom competed for control. There are those who insist that Machiavelli's most famous work, The Prince, rather than encouraging harsh, dictatorial government, is really a satiric picture intended to lead readers to republicanism. As he compared the politics and population of Rome to those of Florence, the ability to sustain a republic in this Tuscan city seemed highly improbable. His History of Florence, commissioned by Pope Clement VII, is a good example of his attempt to please his patron while trying to include all the history. Even so, his statement that republics, with their diversity, are much more adaptable and likely to last longer than a princedom indicate his true politics. That he was a republican is without doubt, but the volatility of the area shows how difficult the establishment of such a republic would be. This was an era of Savonarola, the Borgias and Medici, strong leaders who tolerated little opposition. Readers looking for the story of the Florentine historian's life will be better served by Miles Unger's 2011 biography. Students well versed in the classics, the historian's vast writings and medieval history will most enjoy this academic biography.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.