The Prince (Original Classic Edition) by
"The Prince" is a treatise by statesman Niccolo Machiavelli. It was written in the Middle Ages, and published only after the death of the author. In it, Niccolo Machiavelli combines all the experience of managing the state, sharing his thoughts with readers. Although this book is largely instructive, it is not perceived as such. When you read, there is no feeling of boredom or the fact that an opinion is imposed on you with which you do not agree. The author enables readers to draw conclusions themselves. In the book you can see discussions about power and how to achieve it; these thoughts are concise and simple. In just a few theses, the author provides arguments confirming his point of view, drawing on the experience of past years.
Mencius by
Known throughout East Asia as Mengzi, or "Master Meng," Mencius (391-308 B.C.E.) was a Chinese philosopher of the late Zhou dynasty, an instrumental figure in the spread of the Confucian tradition, and a brilliant illuminator of its ideas. Mencius was active during the Warring States Period (403-221 B.C.E.), in which competing powers sought to control the declining Zhou empire. Like Confucius, Mencius journeyed to one feudal court after another, searching for a proper lord who could put his teachings into practice. Only a leader who possessed the moral qualities of a true king could unify China, Mencius believed, and in his defense of Zhou rule and Confucian philosophy, he developed an innovative and highly nuanced approach to understanding politics, self-cultivation, and human nature, profoundly influencing the course of Confucian thought and East Asian culture. Mencius is a record of the philosopher's conversations with warring lords, disciples, and adversaries of the Way, as well as a collection of pronouncements on government, human nature, and a variety of other philosophical and political subjects. Mencius is largely concerned with the motivations of human actors and their capacity for mutual respect. He builds on the Confucian idea of ren, or humaneness, and places it alongside the complementary principle of yi, or rightness, advancing a complex notion of what is right for certain individuals as they perform distinct roles in specific situations. Consequently, Mencius's impact was felt not only in the thought of the intellectual and social elite but also in the value and belief systems of all Chinese people.
Author search: Machiavelli, Niccolò, 1469-1527, Author search:
Marie, de France, Author search: Mengzi
French Mediaeval Romances: From the lays of Marie de France by
A fantastic collection of romantic tales translated from the original 12th century Anglo-Norman, originally known as the Lais of Marie de France.
The Lais of Marie de France: Text and Context by 
The Lays of Marie de France by
The twelve "lays" of Marie de France, the earliest known French woman poet, are here presented in sprightly English verse by poet and translator David R. Slavitt. Traditional Breton folktales were the raw material for Marie de France's series of lively but profound considerations of love, life, death, fidelity and betrayal, and luck and fate. They offer acute observations about the choices that women make, startling in the late twelfth century and challenging even today. Combining a woman's wisdom with an impressive technical bravura, the lays are a minor treasure of European culture.
