All the world is the stage and Machiavelli is the chorus in a Floretidan dramedy. Attempting to keep his job and dealing with the politics between the Borgias, Caterina Sforza and the Medici's in his backyard, Machiavelli is busy keeping himself in the know, accessible and not in prison. Hard feat when the de Medici's come and go as fast as a sneeze. Florance had a 300-year republic and it started crashing/ending in Machiavelli's time.

Insightful. The hustle and bustle of Florance evident.

If you want a biography on Machiavelli, this isn't it but a great book of the political atmosphere in Florence.