Robert Black is Professor of Renaissance History at the University of Leeds, with publications in the fields of Renaissance humanism, school and university education, Florentine political history, Renaissance historiography and the history of the classical tradition.  His books include Benedetto Accolti and the Florentine Renaissance (1985), Humanism and Education in Medieval and Renaissance Italy (2001), Education and Society in Florentine Tuscany (2007) and Studies in Renaissance Humanism and Politics (2011).

• PART ONE MACHIAVELLI AND FLORENCE 1 Florence and the Machiavelli family 2 Early life, education and first writings 3 Chancery career: Machiavelli and Florentine politics 4 The chancery years: diplomatic activities and literary production PART TWO THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE 5 The Prince: context 6 The Prince: message and meaning PART THREE THE RETURN TO CLASSICAL HUMANISM 7 The Discourses: context 8 The Discourses: meaning and significance PART FOUR MAN OF LETTERS 9 Poetry, theatre, narrative PART FIVE THE RETURN TO DIPLOMACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE 10 Politics and history 11 The diplomat and adviser to princes reborn

"...[this book] is a very valuable resource for anyone who wants to approach for the first time the work and life of one of the most influential and controversial political thinkers." -Mario Prades Vilar in Sixteenth Century Journal