Edited and translated by Peter Bondanella and Mark Musa, "The Portable Machiavelli" offers readers the opportunity to discover various personal and professional works of Machiavelli while attempting to restore many of the myths surrounding his posthumous reputation. For example, the famous phrase "the end justifies the means" is actually a significant exaggeration of what Machiavelli really wrote, which was "in the actions of all men... when there is no impartial judge, we must examine the final outcome." The greatest counterargument Bondanella and Musa can offer is the simple fact that they include a lesser-known work by Machiavelli titled "The Discourses." This work is often not mentioned or even ignored, as it presents the true Machiavelli - a man who supported a Republic governed by citizens. Anyone who believes that Machiavelli is an advocate of tyrannical regimes will be surprised to read him speaking in favor of fair and public trials and a balance of power between rulers and citizens.