how did niccolo machiavelli's book the prince set him apart from other writers of the renaissance?

Question

anonymous · Answer

The prince was a unique book because it provided a different view of a perfect ruler. While other writers focused on a kind, benevolent ruler, Machiavelli showed a different kind of perfect ruler, one who should been feared rather than love.

anonymous · Answer

The Prince was also a unique work because it went completely against the morals that were expected of a 'good Christian'. Though Machiavelli was a Christian himself, his views expressed in 'The Prince' are very contradictory of this. 
The book is actually in many ways based on the reign of the Borgia family in Italy, who had close ties with the church. So, a book that exposed the unchristian ethics of a ruling-class family who were tied in closely with the Christian church undoubtably caused controversy.