How to Achieve True Greatness

It was an unplanned discussion that would unexpectedly last through the night only to conclude at the break of day. The previous evening a small group of men and women gathered at a palace nestled in the heart of central Italy. The palace, facing Mount Cataria, in Arbon, would set the scene for one of the most important fictional discussions concerning Italian Renaissance court life during the sixteenth century. Duke Federico Guidobaldo, owner of the palace, was known to retire early, but that didn't mean the fun and games of the evening were to be cancelled. On the contrary they went into full swing that very night when Duchess Elisabetta Gonzaga and signora Emilia Pia took upon themselves to begin the festivities with the command that the game of the evening would be that "one of us should be chosen and given the task of depicting in words a perfect courtier, explaining the character and the particular qualities needed by anyone who deserves such a title." A courtier throughout the ages has been known as one who attends to a powerful person such as a king or head of state and in turn receives special privilege. And so Baldesar Castiglione's Book of the Courtier (HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE GREATNESS) begins. This slim volume, divided into two sections, The First and Second Book of the Courtier, flows easily from one section to the next. Count Lodovico da Canossa promptly took the lead with several other gentlemen joining in, alternating, adding and sometimes lending direction to the debate. Signors Gaspare Pallavicino, Bernardo Bibbiena, Cesare Gonzaga, Ottaviano, Pietro Bembo, Morello da Ortona, Magnifico Giuliano ... all opinionated men to the letter carried on through the night with the Count. The Count claimed that "he [the ideal courtier] should put ever effort and diligence into surpassing the rest just a little in everything, to that he may always be recognized as superior." Numerous attributes and virtues attributed to their ideal courtier ranged from those physical attributes of being "well built, finely proportioned members" to possessing a fine mind and being a "more than average scholar." Their courtier should be a perfect man in every way. It would be a rare man who could fit their bill. I didn't find Baldassar's (Baldassare in Italian) work to be a difficult or weighty read, but rather one of numerous thoughts and debate to be considered as a whole. The cast of characters, was a bit difficult to follow at times, but taking notes proved to be quite helpful. This work philosophically meshes with the work of Aristotle and his conjecture of the "perfect man," whom the courtier, I suspect, may have been modeled after. This book isn't one which the average reader would pick up and read on a lark, but rather one that might be considered by all who aspire to leadership positions, anyone with an interest in sixteenth century Italy, and those who enjoy philosophical debate.

This book is a classic in terms of philosophy and one that is certainly motivating. If only we could all apply the advice contained within it to our lives. This Penguin Great Books series edition makes it even better by presenting it in a artistic, compact form. The text is clear and well-edited and truly a great addition to one's personal library.