"This work by an outstanding expert on Machiavelli should help to snatch the celebrated Florentine away from political scientists. Black touches on Machiavelli's entire oeuvre, including his sparkling series of political letters and memoranda. We soon see that Machiavelli's literary legacy is a teeming store of insight that also casts light on The Prince, as well as on his reflections concerning republics. The redoubtable Florentine comes through richly in this splendid book."–Lauro Martines, formerly University of California, Los Angeles, leading historian of Renaissance Florence
