WSHS AP European History:
Summer Reading Assignment Letter 2007

Dear AP European History Students,

First, I hope you all have a way cool summer break. You've earned it. I have attached a copy of the summer reading assignment for you. We are reading The Prince by Machiavelli, answering questions on this short but very important book, and writing a five paragraph analytical essay responding to the following prompt:

"Select a European leader from 1450 to the present who best represents the qualities of a Machiavellian ruler. Write a five paragraph essay defending your choice. You should focus on at least three characteristics of a good leader as defined by Machiavelli in The Prince."

The assignment will be due at the end of the first week of class. Borders Books in Springfield has ordered extra copies of the book. There are many different editions of The Prince in print. You may read any version, although I recommend the Penguin Classics edition translated by George Bull or the Bantam Classic edition translated by Daniel Donno. The Prince is also available online at:

http://www.constitution.org/mac/prince00.htm

It is important that you do your own work on this assignment. If you want to email your essays to me in advance I will be happy to read them and make suggestions for improvement. I am very excited to have two sections of AP European History next year and look forward to working with all of you next year!

Sincerely,

Ron Maggiano
Social Studies Department
West Springfield High School
6100 Rolling Road
Springfield, VA 22152
(703) 913-3800
The WSHS Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 3:30 beginning July 30.
The loan period is 3 weeks, no renewals, with overdue fines of $1 per non-holiday weekday. All Library obligations must be cleared prior to checkout.
Questions or to check on availability:  (703) 913-3852 or stephanie.byrnes@fcps.edu
The Borders on Frontier Drive in Springfield has a special table of WSHS summer reading books.
Online CataloglWSHS onlylAll FCPS SchoolslFairfax County Public Library
lLibrary HomepagelWSHS HomepagelFCPS Homepage
Stephanie Byrnes, Webpage Curator/Librarian Che Ferch-Jablonski,  Librarian
6/19/07
West Springfield High School Library, 6100 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA  22152, (703) 913-3939
This web page contains links to one or more web pages that are outside the FCPS network. FCPS does not control the content or relevancy of these pages.