Tolstoy: A Russian Life

There are two principal models for biography in our culture, and perhaps the first decision the biographer has to face is which of the two will best suit the subject in question. First, there is the Boswellian model: the massive tome (or tomes) containing as much material as can be garnered, following the philosophy that [...]

Machiavelli’s The Prince study retreat

Machiavelli’s The Prince study retreat took place on April 30-May 2, 2010 at Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan WI. Click on this pdf of the Machiavelli Weekend to read comments and see more shots of the weekend.

The Intersecting Lives of da Vinci, Machiavelli, and Borgia and the World They Shaped

Book reviews:  The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior by Paul Strathern As Paul Strathern explains in his masterful narrative history, The Artist, the Philosopher, and the Warrior, Borgia was also brilliant, handsome, charismatic and well-versed in the classics, “a superb exemplar of the Renaissance man.” Complete the Washington Post review by Steven Levingston  here. [...]

Machiavelli’s comedy, The Mandrake

Machiavelli’s comedy, The Mandrake, was the most widely performed comedy in Europe in the Renaissance, until a chap named Shakespeare came along. Unfortunately far too few people today are even aware that Machiavelli wrote plays – comedies, no less – let alone get a chance to see one of them performed. (New York audiences got [...]

Basic Program Weekend Study Retreats

Here is information on the upcoming Basic Program Weekend Study Retreats. Spring 2010 TITLE: Machiavelli’s The Prince DATES: April 30-May 2, 2010 Members of A Red Orchid Theater will perform Machiavelli’s comedy The Mandrake. Autumn 2010 TITLE: Love & Persuasion in Plato DATES: Oct 22-24, 2010 The Weekend Study Retreat will focus on the Plato [...]

Basic Program – Views

Basic Program Spring Weekend Study Retreat

Machiavelli’s The Prince April 30–May 2, 2010 Lake Lawn Resort Delavan, WI Lake Lawn Resort Located on the shores of Lake Delavan in the southern Geneva Lakes region, this lovely resort offers newly renovated guest rooms, well-appointed conference spaces, lakeside hiking trails, and a fireside lounge overlooking the lake. In addition to studying and discussing [...]