How to Win an Election

How to be a politician ...

Cicero gives an incredibly concise outline to his brother who is running for office in ancient Rome. The same outline entirely explainsToday's politicians on both sides of the aisle. Clearly people are the same today as then, and must be addressed in the same predictable ways to obtain their vote, help and money.

Perhaps you and I are the exceptions??

I now know how to run for office simply by following Cicero's concise plan. After reading the plan, it all in the execution.

I did not know much about Cicero, but please view his Curriculum Vitae on Wikipedia!

I had no idea. Almost stunning.

Ben

16 of 17 people found this review helpful

Not Marcus Tullius Cicero

Any additional comments?

Just to be clear these are the words of Quintus Tullius Cicero, the younger brother of the famous Marcus Tullius Cicero. So if you're looking for the well known historical figure's words of wisdom, these are not them, but they are close.

Close, because they are a list of political insights that mostly hold true to this day and are worthy of a listen for anyone interested in bringing history to life and discovering how little things have changed.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Some Things Never Change

This was one of the daily deals from Audible around Election Day, and it was well worth the 99 cents! I laughed at parts, particularly at how little things have changed. All this time I thought that Americans were responsible for the sad state of political affairs, but come to find out, these attitudes existed in ancient Rome. He is telling his brother to surround himself with those of nobility who can help him in his political life; promise the voters what they want to hear, and then renege on it later; court those who can help you.......sound familiar?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Quite Amusing

A shockingly honest, an amusing, look into what it takes to be an effective politician.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Machiavelli for elections

This book should be required reading for anyone contemplating an election campaign. It should also be read by any serious student of politics. I doubt if anyone other than Machiavelli has distilled so much wisdom in such a succinct yet entertaining manner.

A political classic

Well translated. Astounding how relevant to today. Full of great quotes. Has an introduction and a helpful glossary at the end to explain some of the finer points of translated terms.

If only my fellow Americans had read this...

If you could sum up How to Win an Election in three words, what would they be?

"How Win Election"

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The truth it provides

What does Doug Kaye bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nothing, but he did a fantastic job of narration.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What American political tradition lacks.

Any additional comments?

This should be standard in schools.

Interesting

A short letter, with a helpful introduction and conclusion, it gives interesting insight into the politics of the ancient Roman Republic. There is still much in this letter that applies today (for good or I'll).

Pragmatic politics. Shameless (and funny).

If you have a secret contempt for those seeking public office (as many do), reading this will in no means warm you to politicians. Shamelessly pragmatic. Unintentionally funny (laugh out loud funny sometimes).

I imagine it's as useful today as it was in 64 BC. In fact I suspect most high ranking politicians have read this?

Can political history be interesting and fun? You betcha.

Perfect dry narration by Doug Kaye.

Still relevant

What did you like best about this story?

A lot of the themes are still as valid for today's politicians as those it was written for originally. With an upcoming election, this is a good quick listen.