Machiavelli and his enduring appeal as a man for all times

The Renaissance writer’s ideas remain relevant amid today’s troubles — three new books explain why. Certainly, Niccolò Machiavelli's 'sinister' reputation has followed him for centuries, to the point where even today a whole branch of psychology associated with coldness and indifference to morality is named after him. But, has such a reputation obscured the brilliance and range of his writings? Tony Barber, writing in the Financial Times, takes a closer look.