Books That Continue To Thrive Centuries After Their Initial

Books that continue to thrive centuries after their initial writing contain something that prompts continued discussion and analysis, such as wisdom and insight, or, in some cases, controversy. In the 15th century, Niccolo Machiavelli composed a political treatise that has persisted primarily due to the questionable morality and brutal practices it promotes. Readers have spent centuries wrestling with this small but powerful book, trying to discern Machiavelli’s purpose, as well as how his writing has influenced political leaders since its publication. With a political background during a time of unrest in Italy, Machiavelli wrote with expertise and knowledge, having seen rulers fail first-hand in addition to his extensive historical†¦show more content†¦More than mere advice, Machiavelli wrote an entire battle plan backed by historical facts, leaving no circumstances unconsidered or threats unaddressed. From armies and fortresses to public relations and religion, Mac hiavelli presents blunt and sometimes radical opinions on how to conquer and maintain a stable country that have both intrigued and concerned readers for centuries. Without considering morality, Machiavelli’s advice not only sounds plausible—it makes sense. He recognizes the challenge of ruling a people after taking out a well-loved ruler, making sure to eliminate all possible heirs to the throne to leave no question of authority, and never trusting mercenaries because they do not have genuine loyalty to the cause. Ultimately, he recommends eliminating any possible threats, no matter the means necessary. On the surface, this sounds brutal and unnecessary, but Machiavelli thoroughly backs up all of his claims through historical and recent events. Repeatedly, after giving a piece of instruction, Machiavelli lists several examples of rulers who exemplify relevant examples of either success or failure. He does not have an example of a perfect government to work from, but i n analyzing various strategies that have worked—or not worked—in certain circumstances, Machiavelli constructs what he believes to be an indestructible political ideal. There is no doubt that the morality of this ideal is questionable, but his propositionsShow MoreRelatedLittle Women By Louisa Alcott1260 Words   |  6 Pagescan be viewed as a classic book or girl’s book. It was written after the Civil War after the author received endless demand from the young female readers. Initially they were published as two books where Chapters 1 to 23 where issues back in 1868 under Little Women title, however, after becoming a highly sensational success, Chapters 24 to 47 were published in 1869 under the title Good Wives Louisa (1869). Louisa May Alcott’s personal life is demonstrated in the first book hence acting as a form ofRead MoreHow Does Language Really Hindered The Intelligence Of Us?846 Words   |  4 Pagesletters, and initials to communicate with one another, harms their ability to switch from that form of language to normal grammar† (qtd. in Williams). The language of this generation has evolved over the years such as the generations that came before them. We should ask ourselves. Has the evolution of language really hindered the intelligence of us here in the twenty first century, or has it indeed brought us to the next level of intelligence? We have come a long way from the eighteenth century to thisRead MoreDeath and Dying Essays1112 Words   |  5 PagesDying By Elisabeth Kubler-Ross For my book review, I read On Death and Dying, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Dr. Kubler-Ross was the first person in her field to discuss the topic of death. Before 1969, death was considered a taboo. On Death and Dying is one of the most important psychological studies of the late twentieth century. The work grew out of her famous interdisciplinary seminar on death, life, and transition. In this paper, I give a comprehensive book review as well as integrate topics learnedRead MoreNatural Disasters1542 Words   |  7 Pageswant to keep and pass on t o future generations and outside world (Ekwelem). According to Hans, our intellectual and cultural heritage is mostly preserved in written form: books, periodicals and manuscripts constitute the collective ‘Memory of the World’. Other than our individual memories, they span the generations and the centuries. Whether written on vellum, paper or palm leaves, they preserve knowledge that man has gathered over the ages. Much has been destroyed or has vanished without trace. ThusRead MoreWilliam Goldings Lord of the Flies: A Review1479 Words   |  6 PagesLord of the flies is anything but an easy book to digest. It comes upon the reader like a heavy meal on a suffocating summers day. The main idea is fairly simple actually: a group of children stranded on an isolated island are trying to reenact the norms of the society they used to live in before their arrival on the island. Gradually, things descend more violently with the children looking to kill the beast that lives i n the heart of the jungle. What they are unable to realize though is that theRead MoreAnd, Like The Fairs, Reflect American Urbanism And The1331 Words   |  6 Pagesleave the theme park behind to pursue a real city. The project would encompass all the ethics that Walt held dear throughout the completion of Disneyland and its Tomorrowland theme, yet create a place of experimental ingenuity and creativeness to thrive within. The land had been obtained as a result of the New York world’s fair. According to Marling, urban planner and master builder, Robert Moses wanted land in the east to be developed on. And so, Walt began to imagine what he could create on a plotRead MoreGeneral Stanley Mcchrystal s Military Design2000 Words   |  8 Pagesorder to have a thriving military in the twenty-first century we would have to do away with the original command-and-control military design. In the twentieth century command-and-control design the orders came from a designated commander of the assigned force in order to accomplish a mission. However, in Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World, General McChrystal notes this design must be changed in order for the military to thrive. He then began focusing on a new way in which toRead MoreEssay on Napoleon Bonaparte and the Catholic Church2177 Words   |  9 Pagesdevastated the Church’s economy. Pope Pius VII and Napoleon Bonaparte came into power as the French Revolution was ending. For different reasons they both saw the importance of restoring Roman Catholicism’s position in France. The Catholic Church’s initial support of Napoleon greatly affected both parties (O’Dwyer 12-14, 43, 49). This statement has led me to ask the following question: To what extent did the support of Napoleon affect the Church’s role as a political and economic power in France? InRead MoreInfluence of the Ancient Port of Massilia on the Contemporary Port of Brisbane1923 Words   |à ‚  8 Pagesin contemporary urban forms with a strong emphasis on the Port of Massilia in comparison with the Port of Brisbane, whilst providing evidence on the similarities and differences of these historical and contemporary designs. Influence of history The book Concepts of Urban Design by David Gosling and Barry Maitland has stated that, â€Å"History provides a large number of traditional urban forms which have survived the passage of time and which work to a greater or lesser degree. (Gosling Maitland, 1984)Read MoreA Description Of The Approach2265 Words   |  10 Pagesdifficulty. As students learn in such a diverse method of ways, all students may need differentiation in assorted - Can the benefit of technology be harnessed within differentiated instruction? Taking in to consideration today, within our 21st century classrooms, many of the obstacles to implementing differentiated instruction can be targeted with the successful use of technology. Teachers of today have within their reach more options for technology based differentiation than ever before as a result