The Libido for the Ugly by H.L. Mencken (Precis)

H.L. Menken wrote “The Libido for the Ugly” (1927) which claims that the United States, although one of the richest nations, is decrepit and it’s population finds the disgusting houses and towns simply fine. Menken uses passionate and invective word choice describing vividly the area of Pittsburgh suburbs to the Greensburg yards to express his contempt of the United States. He uses the over-exaggeration of the ugliness of the Pittsburgh suburbs to the Greensburg yards in order to convince the reader that America needs to change its ways and take examples from the Europeans. Menken directly addresses some unknown professor to look into the problems of the United States, but really he is lecturing the entire population of the U.S. to get their act in gear.

The Morals of a Prince (Precis)

Niccolò Machiavelli wrote “The Morals of a Prince” (1513), which asserts that the ideal prince who can keep his subjects united and loyal is not “prince charming” from Disney fairy tales, but rather a man who knows when to lie, when to be cruel, and when to be feared – but not hated. Machiavelli uses evidence from historically famous rulers such as Pope Julius II, Caesar, and Alexander to back up his claims on stinginess, whether to be loved or hated, and how Princes should keep their word. He uses these historical examples in order to educate the next prince on how to stay in power. In “The Morals of a Prince”, Niccolò Machiavelli is advising the future prince on how to stay in power and how to reunite Italy after a long period of warring states.