The Prince has been described as a manual for princes (rulers), in the tradition of such books written in the late Middle Ages. These books were sometimes called "Mirrors of Virtues", as they list and explain the good qualities a ruler should have to rule as an effective king and to defend Christianity. The entire book focuses on what principalities are, what the different types of them are, how to acquire and maintain them, and why they are lost. The first three chapters set the scope of the entire book and provide a preview of the book's main concerns. Then Chapters VI and V are used to present different practical methods to address different issues for rulers. These issues include the acquisition and maintenance of a new state, the formation of alliances, internal insurgencies, and so on. In the next two chapters, the book addresses the theme of the different qualities of good rulers. Machiavelli offers the discussion of virtue and good will in this section. He argues that sometimes rulers should perform vicious actions without respect for true virtue for the sake of states and government. In the last chapter, the book focuses specifically on Italy's disunity. In this chapter, Machiavelli provides his own understanding and explanation of the failure of Italy's past rulers and calls for a suitable ruler for the future. He claims that only Lorenzo de' Medici can restore the honor and pride of Italy. This chapter somewhat reveals Machiavelli's intention and purpose in writing The Prince. Among all the discussions in the book, several key concepts are raised, such as power, good will, statesmanship, evil human nature, free will, and virtue. As I read and reflected…half of the paper…actively encouraging the skilled and honoring those who excel in their profession…so that they may calmly go about their business” (Machiavelli, 108 ). He also encourages citizens to “…increase the prosperity of their State” (Machiavelli, 110). While these methods are essentially deception, they would bring rulers and princes obedience and trust from their citizens, especially those who intend to oppose them. There is no doubt that The Prince is a perfect handbook for rulers and princes with all those fascinating true stories of European rulers. However, after carefully reading the book, I think it is also a manual for realists. All three obvious features of the book – empirical methods, emphasis on power, and a view of evil human nature – correspond perfectly to the assumptions and theories of realism. Machiavelli is evidently a true realist.