The New Machiavelli

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The New Machiavelli

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

H. G. Wells presents the story of Richard Remington, an idealistic politician whose career is shattered by scandal. As he faces exile, he reflects on the nature of statecraft, the complexities of modern democracy, and the profound influence of women on the political landscape, blending personal tragedy with a sweeping vision for social reform.

Summary up to 500 words

H. G. Wells' *The New Machiavelli* is a profound meditation on the conflict between high political ideals and the messy realities of human nature, set against the backdrop of a shifting political landscape. The narrative follows Richard Remington, a man of high aspirations who attempts to write a modern political treatise inspired by Niccolò Machiavelli. However, Remington quickly realizes that the era of the single, all-powerful Prince is over; power has dispersed, and the statesman must now appeal to a multitude of readers rather than a single sovereign. This realization forces him to confront the 'discovery of women,' a theme Wells argues is central to the modern world. Remington's personal life mirrors this political evolution. His marriage to Margaret, a woman of order, restraint, and conventional values, is founded on a 'spiritual subterfuge.' To fit her expectations, Remington hides his true, passionate self, creating a relationship defined by deep incompatibilities: she seeks safety and law, while he craves wildness and excitement. Their dynamic illustrates the difficulty of maintaining sincerity when mental and temperamental differences are stark. Politically, Remington's career follows a trajectory of rise and fall. Initially, he attempts to speak to the people about the grand destiny of the empire, but finds his audiences bored by high-minded philosophy. He learns to adapt his rhetoric to the 'dog-fight' nature of popular politics, utilizing caricatures and personal attacks to win elections. This compromise weighs heavily on his conscience. His career ends abruptly when a scandal involving his wife, Isabel, and a campaign against a reformatory bill forces him to flee London. The narrative shifts to a train journey away from the city, symbolizing the severing of his ties to his former life and the empire he once championed. On the train, Remington grapples with profound guilt and regret, realizing he has betrayed his party, his friends, and his wife Margaret. He struggles with the tension between the 'white passion' of statecraft and the 'red' of intimate human desires. Ultimately, the book questions whether the constructive dream of a better state can survive the realities of human weakness, political corruption, and the disruptive power of personal passion. Through Remington's internal monologue, Wells examines the cost of political ambition and the necessity of confronting one's own nature to achieve true understanding.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks2/h-g-wells_new-machiavelli.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-c76fb52fdc8f6a54.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-06-30 00:18 UTC

Categories

No categories stored.