“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are, and those few dare not oppose themselves to the opinion of the many, who have the majesty of the state to defend them.” Machiavelli has been a controversial figure ever since his writings were published at the close of the Renaissance. This is due to the frank and forthright nature of the guidance to prospective rulers he shares in The Prince - not much is sacred for him. With Machiavelli’s writings, understanding his circumstances in the turbulent late-renaissance Italy is especially helpful. We offer our readers a detailed author section to assist with this, featuring a classic analysis of Machiavelli by Thomas Macaulay from 1850. The book comes in 137x200mm format with hard cover in luxurious dark grey Van Heek Coloretta cloth and embroidered details, designed by Anna-Mari Tenhunen in Helsinki.