An Unlikely Prince: The Life and Times of Niccolo Machiavelli Book

If one reads anything from Machiavelli's, make sure to read this work too. Most importantly, because it is good research with good groundwork and a great variety of sources at its basis. Capponi is careful not to leave anything out and proves quite open minded, stressing this and questioning that. It seems natural to a historian to do so, but Machiavelli has been researched quite a lot, of course, so steering clear of popular opinion is not the easiest task. Apart from the scholarly concerns, Capponi is also a good writer. His book is quite readable thanks to his witty, flowing (and perhaps Florentine) style and the ease with which he manages to keep the hundres of strings of intertwined family lines clearly apart. Certainly a recommendable for anyone interested in Machiavelli!