Both “Art of War” and Machiavelli are required reading for military staff officers and for politicians. So much for “neither have any real application”. Why, look at our own WJC of the stained blue dress to see the real life applications to making a political career and to the political survival. One needs not merely read the texts, of course, but to ponder and to understand them. But then again, that applies to many other texts.
Both are still required reading for strategy by military, though there really is no “required reading list” for pols. Perhaps there should be.
The Prince, interestingly enough, was written to curry favor with the family after the Big M made some strategic errors. Basically it’s a butt kissing book.
Durasell’s Rules for Business #121: If the guy sitting across the table from you brings up either The Art of War or The Prince, understand you’re dealing with a second rate mind. The only rational response is a triangle paper football flicked at his left eye.