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

How to Win an Electionis an ancient Roman guide for campaigning that is as up-to-date as tomorrow's headlines. In 64 BC when idealist Marcus Cicero, Rome's greatest orator, ran for consul (the highest office in the Republic), his practical brother Quintus decided he needed some no-nonsense advice on running a successful campaign. What follows in his short letter are timeless bits of political wisdom, from the importance of promising everything to everybody and reminding voters about the sexual scandals of your opponents to being a chameleon, putting on a good show for the masses, and constantly surrounding yourself with rabid supporters. Presented here in a lively and colorful new translation, with the Latin text on facing pages, this unashamedly pragmatic primer on the humble art of personal politicking is dead-on (Cicero won)--and as relevant today as when it was written.

A little-known classic in the spirit of Machiavelli'sPrince, How to Win an Electionis required reading for politicians and everyone who enjoys watching them try to manipulate their way into office.

"A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice (8/5/2012)"Philip Freemanis the author of many books, includingOh My Gods: A Modern Retelling of GreekandRoman Myths, Alexander the Great, andJulius Caesar(all Simon & Schuster). He received his PhD from Harvard University and holds the Qualley Chair of Classical Languages at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Were he alive today, no doubt, Quintus would be making big bucks as a political consultant. . . . Speaking to us from a distance of more than two millenniums, Quintus Cicero's words are incisive and revelatory: They remind us that, when it comes to that strange beast known as politics, human nature hasn't changed very much since then. The past, that's right, isn't even past. ---Nick Owchar,Los Angeles Times How to Win an Election. . . is a timely new editlSk