How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians

This book has received some good publicity recently, and because it sounded very interesting I ordered a copy for myself. I have enjoyed reading it very much and it has proven to be interesting and informative for several reasons.First, it provides a fresh translation of the letter written in 64 BC to Marcus Tullius Cicero, then 42 years old, from his younger brother Quintus. This has previously been translated and published - for example, it was included in volume 462 of the Loeb Classical Library ( Cicero: Letters to Quintus and Brutus. Letter Fragments. Letter to Octavian. Invectives. Handbook of Electioneering; D. Letters ) where the title was stated as "The Handbook of Electioneering".I don't posses any other translations of this particular work, but I can say that this translation by Freeman is enjoyable to read and puts the work into our current (American) English in a way that works very well (and when I compare it to the Loab translation mentioned previously, using Amazon's "Look Inside" feature, I strongly prefer Freeman's translation to the Loab interpretation). It reads like a contemporary letter from one brother to another, and avoids the kind of awkwardness that frequently results in translated works when the translator sometimes tries to make a more literal substitution of the grammar or usage of 2000 years ago. Freeman provides a glossary at the end of the book which further explains some of the terms that he has translated into a suitable modern equivalent.Second, this edition includes an interesting introduction by Freeman, placing the letter into its context and outlining the circumstances of the time in which the letter was written. He explains that Cicero was at a significant disadvantage in attempting to run for high political office (Consul of Rome, said to be the highest office in the Roman Republic), because he was not of noble birth and therefore would likely be looked down upon in comparison to his rivals for the post. He was successful in his campaign largely because his opponents were recognized to be unsavory, and so some of the nobility of the time decided to support Cicero. And presumably he was also successful because of the advice given him by Quintus, which is reproduced in this book. The historical context is fascinating, a small snapshot into the goings-on of Rome in 64 BC.Thirdly, and to the meat of the subject of the book, it provides guidelines for someone running for elective office that are remarkably applicable to our current world, leading to the obvious conclusion that "the more things change, the more they stay the same". Some of the recommendations are more-or-less obvious ("make sure you have the backing of your family and friends"; "surround yourself with the right people"; "build a wide base of support"), and some are likewise very familiar albeit cynical ("promise everything to everybody"; "know the weaknesses of your opponents - and exploit them"; "flatter voters shamelessly"). The book jacket gives top billing to a blurb attributed to Karl Rove, one of our modern day masters of such political machinations, if that happens to float your boat.Fourthly, dare I suggest that readers of this book could actually be influenced to look further into the works of Cicero, who (according to the folks at Loeb) is one of the ancient Romans that is most well known to us today? And this might not be such a bad thing, if you do chose to investigate for yourself some of Cicero's other writings. The Loeb folks publish no less than 30 volumes of writings by Cicero by my count (see for example  Cicero: De re Publica (On the Republic) , De Legibus (On the Laws) ), and there are many other editions of his works published - by Oxford (i.e.  The Republic and The Laws  among others) and in other good editions. One of my other recent purchases ( A Loeb Classical Library Reader ) includes an excerpt from Cicero's writing "On Duties", the first sentence of which I will reproduce here:"Well then, for a man to take something from his neighbour and to profit from his neighbour's loss is more contrary to Nature than is death or poverty or pain or anything else that can affect either our person or our property"Surely such advice is just as valid today as it ever was!In other words, this guy - Marcus Tullius Cicero - he might actually have things to say that we can learn from, even 2000 years later! Imagine that! (There are good reasons why the "classics" are called that, and why they remain in print and available still today.  Shakespeare , anyone?).Finally, for the thoughtful reader, this book may provoke some reflection on how our society (or dare I use the term "civilization"?), for all of the advancements that we have made in the past 2000 years, is still one where human relationships and interactions are fundamental. That is surely worth some contemplation.So this guy, Philip Freeman, he has done a clever thing here, by taking an ancient Roman letter and presenting it in a way that will attract our attention and appeal to us in 2012. And in so doing maybe he is planting the seeds of an interest in classical writings that could flower in a few unsuspecting readers and have who-knows-what consequences? Bravo!This is a modestly sized book, both physically (the size and jacket design are obviously chosen to look similar to the Loeb editions, although slightly larger), and in length (about 125 pages including introductory notes). I personally very much like the size of the book. It is very comfortable to hold and read and the printing is of high quality (with acid-free paper for longevity), published by the Princeton Press. It is an easy read, and very worthwhile in my opinion for all of the reasons given above.

This excellent little book is a "how to" for getting elected to local office. Yes, it was written 2,000 years ago and the office was Counsul of Rome in 64 BC, but the lessons are the same as one would use to describe successful campaigning today. (I say local, because travel time and distance meant that only citizens of the City of Rome voted and of course females, slaves and others classes were excluded. It really was a "press-the-flesh" campaign that needed to reach a manageable number of people for success).The lessons are the same then and now because the subject is "how to get humans to vote for you", which translates into "how to work with human nature" This book is about how to make a connection, curry favor, get others to help you and how to avoid making people not want to support you.Written by one brother to another who is questing election to Rome's highest office in the Republic period, the slim guide lays out its advice in a series of fifty or so numbered maxims. These are short paragraphs that speak to things to do and things not to do if you want to be a successful candidate. Each maxim contains a couple of sentences of explanation/rationale which makes this a superb guide because it not only advises, but convinces the reader of the credibility of the advice. Thus, we get instructions about making friends; about soliciting the opinions of those whose support you covet; about learning about your opponent's weaknesses and past and using that information to knock the opponent before undecided voters; that it is better to make promises and leave voters with hope and later disappoint them than to tell them "no" and disappoint them prior to an election; that being hopeful and building the hopes of voters is a winning strategy. These truisms are very cynical, but the reader needs to keep in mind the sole objective of the book is to instruct on the waging of successful political campaigns and not on statesmanship.This is a quick read (an hour, hour-and-a-half or so) with the original Latin on one page and the translation on the facing page. The translator also provides a glossary and brief historical context that bridges the specifics of Rome 20 centuries ago for the modern reader. Any contemporary observer of politics will recognize the lessons and "how to's" contained in this ancient tract and how true they are for the most part in contemporary politics.

More fun than expected.

Book is ok but the cover is clearly a rejected misprint

very good ty

Great for people active in public affairs and politics or just hoping to win friends and influence people.I didn't know it would be in Latin as well as English. That is no use to me and I suspect is there more to bulk the page count. Otherwise it would have been a pamphlet. But it's a very good pamphlet!

Great little book. I heard Fareed Zakaria talk about it a few years ago. I have given it as gifts to many friends and relatives.