The Capitol Hill Playbook cover art

The Capitol Hill Playbook

A Machiavellian Guide for Young Political Professionals

Preview

Free with 30-day trial
Prime logo New to Audible Prime Member exclusive:
2 credits with free trial
1 credit a month to use on any title to download and keep
Listen to anything from the Plus Catalogue—thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts and audiobooks
Download titles to your library and listen offline
₹199 per month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.

The Capitol Hill Playbook

Written by: Nicholas Balthazar
Narrated by: David Deboy
Free with 30-day trial

₹199 per month after trial ends. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for ₹668.00

Buy Now for ₹668.00

Confirm Purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.
Cancel

About this listen

A step-by-step roadmap to success for the millions of aides, staffers, and interns in politics throughout the country.

In presenting the ideal skills, abilities, and qualities of a successful politico, The Capitol Hill Playbook speaks to today’s generation of staffers like no other book before it. Weaving together Renaissance-era political philosophies and contemporary illustrations, Nicholas Balthazar enlists the help of Niccolò Machiavelli, author of the venerable political treatise The Prince, and Baldassare Castiglione, author of The Book of the Courtier - the authoritative account of Renaissance court life - to demonstrate two models of political life and their applicability today.

Balthazar offers listeners a path between these two methods, exploring the mechanics of working for elected officials but also discussing the philosophies behind contemporary political work. The Capitol Hill Playbook answers all the questions a newly hired staffer might want to ask:

  • Why do politicians run for office?
  • Why is devotion so important in politics?
  • Why must a staffer be a good communicator?
  • Why are friendships such an essential and elusive part of political life?
  • How do you win a political knife fight?
  • Why should a political staffer never wear a bow tie to the office?
  • And more!

A provocative and informative listen, The Capitol Hill Playbook will be indispensible to any political aspirant and, with an intriguing look back to the Renaissance, reveals how politics today has both changed and remained the same through the centuries.

©2013 Nicholas Balthazar (P)2013 Audible, Inc.
Conservatism & Liberalism Nationalism Political Advocacy & Activism Political Campaigns & Elections Political Parties United States

Editorial Reviews

Narrator David Deboy has an approachable voice which adds lightness to this step-by-step guide that combines the cutthroat philosophies of Niccolò Macchiavelli and the courtly lessons of Baldassare Castiglione. Nicholas Balthazar uses these two models of political life to demonstrate the mechanics of working for elected officials and, more importantly, shows listeners a workable middle ground.

This guide also contains answers to questions like why political staffers need to be good communicators and why they must never wear a bow tie to the office.

Deboy touches on controversial topics and common-sense knowledge alike with equal aplomb, delivering a polished performance that listeners will enjoy.

What listeners say about The Capitol Hill Playbook

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.