Originally Posted by Ironduke

Probably a nobleman, aristocrat, as well as a general.

I agree with the Colonel... The Art of War reads like a field manual. I don't recall anything in the work about asymmetrical warfare (which wouldn't be of use nowadays anyhow), but the general principles are of lasting value. I have a copy on my bookshelf, I think I'll have to give it another read soon (it's rather short).

Machiavelli's work is contemporary political advice, a published work meant to influence a certain Italian prince after he found himself in disfavor (IIRC) ... basically criticizing in retrospect the failures of the Italian princes, dukes, etc., that led to the diminishing of the once powerful Italian city-states... foreign armies on Italian soil, the use of mercenaries, etc.