Essentially, The New Prince is a handbook for politicians who want to get themselves elected, whether it be to the school board or the presidency, and on that level it works. But as a sage commentary on the state of politics at the end of the 20th century... heaven help us. --Linda Killian

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My great disappointment, however, was that Dick's book is only a partial revisit to Macchiavelli's works (The Prince, Discourses). While Macchiavelli stresses the importance of character, and centers his thesis for a successful republic on righteous leadership that is focused upon the welfare of the people, Dick remains committed to the "message" and "issues", only. "Jeffersonian Democracy" in his eyes is based on public opinion NOW - with all of its fickleness, partisanship and emotional "heat of the moment" decisionmaking.

Like his most famous protege', it is my personal opinion that Mr. Morris possesses no moral compass and no real concept of LEADERSHIP under fire. Tough decisions often must be made from controversial options, and as in Chess, the long term "end game" is what's really important - especially in foreign affairs and National security. This is where character, strong will and moral authority really play a role - if you possess them.

Dick Morris is the recognized master at waging and winning political war - but what does one do after the victory? Many of thus are still asking that question.


Illuminating commentary on recent U.S. political history   June 12, 1999
 13 out of 14 found this review helpful

If you can get past any preceived ideas you might have of Mr. Morris, this is an insightful discussion of modern U.S. politics. Morris did not invent modern political polling, he just raised it to an art form. The real villian is neither Morris or Machiavelli. The real and dangerous villian is the Prince who seeks to achieve, first and foremost, political power for himself and distantly second, if at all, to enhance the welfare of the state. Machevelli's and Morris's genius is not in what they created, but rather in what they were able to discern already in operaton in the real world. These observations, which escaped all others until pointed out, are condemned along with the writers as evil incarnate. Morris illustrates how modern politics operates and what motivates our modern politician. Machiavelli's and Morris's most important observation is "Get Real". This is how the game evolved and is now played. To be in the game, either as a player or as an educated observer, Morris book provides timely and valuable insights.


Give the Devil his due   August 15, 1999
 9 out of 17 found this review helpful

I went through three stages in my read of this book; each lasted about 1/3 of the whole.First came depression, than nausea, then a calm realization that I was reading an abridged manifesto of an advertising genius, who has chosen politics as his pitch. He has been deceitfully selective in illustrating his methods; incomplete in some of his examples, dishonest and evasive in others. His Jeffersonian, direct democracy, has a serious flaw that has been pointed out early in our history and speaks to the mischief going on in Washington today. (Paraphrasing) "Once the public discovers they can vote themselves economic advantage, Democracy ends";in effect reversing JFK's inspirational, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" Dick Morris is a left wing idealogue having some fun. He attended the same High School I did (I with Vlad.Pozner, he with Nussbaum and BenViniste) in the shadow of UNION SQUARE in NYC. He practices the deceits of the left but is very good at appearing ecuminical. He still peddles the idea that Hillary's failure with medical care reform lost the Dems. Congress; anyone this side of stupid knows it was Bills uneccessary tax increase. The reason why our economy is doing so well,is because the world knows tax increases now are the 3rd rail of U.S. politics and may never be seen again, short of a real war. He expresses astonishment, widely shared, that the GOP mounted such an ineffective effort in exposing the tactics of the left. My guess is they were stunned by the complicity of the media in debasing their positions, and missed (and still miss) the services of a Lee Atwater. Dick Morris in his wisdom knows that the media is in the pocket of the left on issues, and the public is intellegent to the extent it will open a gift wrapped box put before it. The likes of Bill Clinton and Dick Morris are a sinister confluence that hopefully occur only once a millenium. P.Price


Some People Say They Speak The Truth, Dick Morris Does It!   August 19, 1999
 8 out of 12 found this review helpful

Another straight forward, straight talking and an insider's informative book which the public and all political pundits will enjoy. Dick Morris for all who critique him pretty much follows the public's wishes and get them what they want and this book helps explain that in vivid detail. Whatever you want to say about Mr. Morris, I tell you now, he is a refreshing breath of reality in politics and is not afraid to speak his mind or convey his attitude of knowledge which is considerable. When confronted by scandal he admits the truth, takes responsibility and moves on with life, the exact same thing the Bible and any Self-Help book teaches you.. The book does the same in many aspects of the subject matter. We are never perfect, but we can try to be, and Dick Morris comes closest to political perfection than any other political person in awhile. The book is excellent pure excellence.


The New Prince   October 26, 2000
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is one of the easiest-to-read, most comprehensible political books I have ever read. Dick Morris made his basic ideas about a subject some call "dull" become important to the reader. "The New Prince" provided me with a deeper understanding of politics, giving me new insights into the subject. I have not yet read "The Prince" by Machiavelli, but nonetheless this book appears to have ideas that will prove meaningful in the years to come. Dick Morris gives more credit to voters than most people in the political arena do. He realizes that voters no longer make decisions based on single issues. He recognizes that people today are much more informed than citizens of past administrations. In America, people no longer want to elect a senator, let him do his job, and six years later evaluate his work in another election. They want involvement all the time. The author shows us how these changes in the desires of citizens change how a politician should make decisions. This books expresses great new political ideas in user-friendly vocabulary through an almost conversational tone with understandable, sound examples.