A new reading of The Prince, arguing that the classic text is neither a scientific treatise on politics nor a patriotic tract but rather an artful, elaborated critique of the dominant religion of his time

Introduction: Christianity, Christ, and Machiavelli's The Prince
Christianity's Siren Song
Christ's Defective Political Foundations
Hope Is Not Enough
The Prince of War
Machiavelli's Unchristian Virtue
Christ's Ruinous Political Legacy
The Harrowing Redemption of Italy
Conclusion: Machiavelli's Gospel
Notes
Works Cited
Index