The Art of Power is a challenge to traditional political theory. Diego A. von Vacano examines the work of Machiavelli, arguing that he establishes a new, aesthetic perspective on political life. He then proceeds to carry out the most extensive analysis to date of an important relationship in political theory: that between the thought of Machiavelli and Friedrich Nietzsche. Arguing that these two theorists have similar aims and perspectives, this work uncovers the implications of their common way of looking at the human condition and political practice to elucidate the phenomenon of the persistence of aesthetic, sensory cognition as fundamental to the human experience, particularly to the political life. By exploring this relationship, The Art of Power makes a significant contribution to the growing interest in the intersection of aesthetic theory and political philosophy as well as in interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives on political theory.

"Recommended." - CHOICE

". . . Von Vacano has broken valuable ground, exhibits intimacy with a wide sweep of Western political thought, and marries Nietzsche to his beloved Niccolò (at long last!) by way of the book's greatest strength: close, novel interpretations of paired texts mined productively to illuminate one another." - Political Theory

"This book is admirable for its large ambitions. . . .Von Vacano has boldly brought our attention to a serious subject and has earnestly raised the question of whether and how Machiavelli and Nietzsche can help us to grapple with." - Perspectives on Politics, March 2008 Vol 6, No. 1

"Vacano's book focuses on a very important but often neglected connection in political theory, that between Machiavelli and Nietzsche.... Vacano's book is a serious attempt to refound modern political thought, or to rethink its foundations. It is a very important work in two respects: firstly in highlighting the connection between Machiavelli and Nietzsche...and secondly in focusing on aesthetic dimensions of politics." - Redescriptions, 2008, Vol 12

"The author...offers a unique aesthetic political theory, one intended to address the very different reality of our modern age....Von Vacano's book deserves praise..." - The Review of Politics, 2009, Vol 71