not how to be a gentlemen you fucken retard. Its about how to gain and secure power and to a lesser extent on how to wage war and basic "rules" a leader "should" follow if he wants to effective at his main task which is remaining in power.
Ok. It essentially lays out how to be an effective ruler and maintain power. It talks about how you judge the means by the end result. good book. you should read it.
Well he wanted italy to apply lessons of military science and to not depend on mercenaries. he realized how essentially powless the city states where especially his home city of florence with out a strong military. he made it a point that when it comes down to it, it is better to be feared as a power than loved.