The Prince

Dude was a badass.

So pragmatic, shrewd, and terrifyingly efficient was Machiavelli's advice for ruling, can see how he got his reputation. His writings here are filled with cold calculation that would make any supervillian proud. If you are looking to write about a character's rise to power and glory, you would do well to read this little gem and have the character heed Machiavelli's advice here. Or not. That would be fun as well.