Looking for book/text on power

[razboz]

im looking for a concise description and analysis of power through time.

i was hoping somone could recomend something, preferably online.

thanks :)

[Os Cangaceiros]

The only book that comes to mind off the top of my head is The Prince, by Machiavelli.

At least, that's the first thing that came to mind when I saw the title of this thread.

[razboz]

Yeah, i've read the prince. I was thinking mor of a serious historical study on the issue, rather than an analysis of that kind. Incidentally it's a very good analysis that i think more people should take the time to read.

[Random Precision]

I can't really think of a historical analysis- "power" would be an awfully broad thing to analyze from that point of view. Betrand Russel's History of Western Philosophy brings up the development of political philosophy as one of its foremost themes, and relates it to the historical developments that caused it in the Ancient, Medieval and Modern times. However, he's also unfairly dismissive of Marx and anti-capitalism, even going so far as to cobble together a faux-Christian mythology from the Communist Manifesto in a chapter on Christian philosophy (Marx = the Messiah, Communism = the Kingdom of God, etc. :rolleyes:). There's also Michel Foucault, who deals with the subject in Discipline and Punish, and it features prominently in many of his other works. However, neither of these are exactly what you are looking for; I'm afraid the best you may be able to do is philosophy.

[Pawn Power]

Hannah Arendt's Between Past and Future has a section that historically examines authority, which might intrest you.