Philosophy Books the Prince by Machiavelli & Leviathan or Matter Form Power of a Commonwealth by Thomas Hobbes Great Ideas Books for Reader

This is a near fine (almost like new) hardcover. Encyclopedia Britannica 1986 28th Printing. This volume is like new inside and out. NOTE: The title lettering is wearing of the spine, otherwise near fine condition inside and out. The inside pages are crisp and clean with no markings seen. The bindings are tight and straight, like new. Grey hardcover boards with black quarter trim are also near fine with barely a hint of shelf wear. Medium octavo book size or 6.5" x 9.5" with 283 pages.

Great Books of the Western World by Encyclopedia Britannica was originally published in 1952 as a 54 volume set. The idea of the series was to present great books of the western world that were relevant to contemporary matters with important historical content. They were intended to be part of a conversation about great ideas and literature. They were re-issued in 1990 in a 60 volume set with some titles added and some titles left out. The idea for the series began at the University of Chicago where a course was developed with the idea of a round table approach for reading and discussing great books. The purpose was to fill the gaps in education and afford a well-rounded intellect familiar with the great works of the Western Canon along with great ideas.
Initial reception was poor but the first sets were gifted to Queen Elizabeth ll of England and President Harry Truman. Time magazine did a piece on the set featuring Mortimer J. Adler, Editor in Chief, who was integral to the university course and the subsequent set of books. Soon, the popularity of the series soared. The series features works from ancient classics to modern masterpieces.

This volume is Machiavelli's The Prince and Thomas Hobbes Leviathan or Matter Form and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclesiastical and Civil. Leviathan was originally published in 1651 and concerns the structure of government and society. It was written during the English Civil War that took place between 1642 and 1650.
The Prince is the historic work of Machiavelli giving forth a "guide" for a new prince, somewhat justifying immoral acts if they can achieve political glory. Although criminality may be excused for political gain, he also stressed if one prince has the support of fellow citizens then civil principality is the guide and only requires fortune and virtue.

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