Three ways to play the same book. Climb the platformer and answer to refuel.
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← → to move, Space to jump, ↓ + Space to drop through. Use the on-screen controls to run and jump. Orbs ask a question; a correct answer refuels the climb.
The mindmap
Every key idea of the book on one map, each one explained. Your answers in the games mark the ideas you have learned.
Every key idea of the book on one map, each one explained. Your answers in the games mark the ideas you have learned.
Some of the core ideas
What's inside
63 maps, 311 characters and 1059 questions, all generated from the book.
Forest of Principalities
Introduction to the types of states and dominions.
5 characters · 17 questions
Hereditary Castle
How hereditary principalities are maintained with ease.
5 characters · 17 questions
Mixed Dominion Ruins
Challenges of ruling mixed principalities with old and new subjects.
5 characters · 17 questions
Caverns of Annexed Lands
Why annexed provinces are harder to hold than native ones.
5 characters · 17 questions
Colonization Forest
Using colonies to secure newly acquired territories.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Similar Customs
Advantages of acquiring states with similar language and customs.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ocean of Different Customs
Challenges of ruling states with different customs and tongues.
5 characters · 17 questions
Fortress of Residence
Why a prince should live in newly acquired territory.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ice Citadel of Garrisons
Comparing garrisons versus colonies for control.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ruins of the Turkish Model
Governing a state ruled directly by one sovereign.
5 characters · 17 questions
Castle of the French Model
Governing a state ruled through many local barons.
5 characters · 17 questions
Volcano of Alexander's Conquest
Why Alexander's empire remained stable after his death.
5 characters · 17 questions
Forest of Free Republics
Difficulties in holding cities once governed by their own laws.
5 characters · 17 questions
Cave of Civil Principalities
How a prince rises to power through citizen support.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Ecclesiastical States
Unique security of principalities sustained by religion.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ocean of New Acquisitions
Strategies and risks in acquiring entirely new states.
5 characters · 17 questions
Castle of Virtù and Ability
Princes who rose to power through their own skill and ability.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ice Peaks of Fortune's Favor
Princes who rose to power through luck and others' arms.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ruins of Borrowed Power
Dangers of depending on fortune rather than one's own strength.
5 characters · 17 questions
Forest of Crime's Path
Examining when wickedness leads to power and its limits.
5 characters · 17 questions
Volcano of Cruelty Well Used
Distinguishing cruelty used wisely from cruelty abused.
5 characters · 17 questions
Cave of the New Order
Difficulties innovators face when introducing new methods.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Civil Principality Risks
Balancing favor from nobles and from the common people.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ocean of Popular Support
Why princes should secure loyalty from the general populace.
5 characters · 17 questions
Castle Fortifications
The strategic value of building and using fortresses.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ice Walls of Defense
When fortresses help or hinder a prince's security.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ruins of Contempt
How princes gain reputation by avoiding being despised.
5 characters · 17 questions
Forest of Esteem
Actions that earn a prince honor and admiration.
5 characters · 17 questions
Cave of Great Enterprises
Undertaking great deeds to build lasting prestige.
5 characters · 17 questions
Volcano of Open Alliances
Why princes should declare themselves clearly as friend or foe.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Neutrality's Danger
The perils of remaining neutral between warring powers.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ocean of Encouraging Talent
How a prince should support skilled subjects and the arts.
5 characters · 17 questions
Castle of Ministers
Choosing and recognizing capable advisers to serve the state.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ice Palace of Wise Counsel
Distinguishing truly wise ministers from self-serving ones.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ruins of the Flatterer's Trap
How princes can avoid being deceived by flatterers.
5 characters · 17 questions
Forest of Honest Advice
Establishing a trustworthy method for receiving counsel.
5 characters · 17 questions
Cave of Foreign Misfortune
Why Italian princes historically lost their states.
5 characters · 17 questions
Volcano of Mercenary Armies
The dangers and unreliability of hired mercenary soldiers.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Auxiliary Troops
Risks of borrowing allied forces to fight one's wars.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ocean of Mixed Soldiery
Problems arising from combining mercenaries and auxiliaries.
5 characters · 17 questions
Castle of National Arms
Why a prince must rely on his own native troops.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ice Fortress of Military Study
The prince's duty to study the art of war constantly.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ruins of Idle Peace
Dangers of neglecting military preparation during peacetime.
5 characters · 17 questions
Forest of Historical Example
Learning statecraft lessons from history's great leaders.
5 characters · 17 questions
Cave of Appearance vs. Reality
Why how a prince appears matters more than inner truth.
5 characters · 17 questions
Volcano of Generosity's Cost
The hidden dangers of excessive princely generosity.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Prudent Stinginess
Why thriftiness can serve a prince better than liberality.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ocean of Cruelty and Mercy
Balancing fear and compassion in ruling subjects.
5 characters · 17 questions
Castle of Feared Rule
Why it is safer to be feared than loved, if not both.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ice Tundra of Avoiding Hatred
Keeping subjects' property and women free from abuse.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ruins of Broken Promises
When and why a prince may justly break his word.
5 characters · 17 questions
Forest of the Fox and Lion
Combining cunning and force to rule effectively.
5 characters · 17 questions
Cave of Virtuous Appearances
Projecting virtues while retaining freedom to act otherwise.
5 characters · 17 questions
Volcano of Contempt and Conspiracy
How to avoid inciting plots and rebellion among subjects.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Internal Security
Strategies to maintain stability against domestic threats.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ocean of External Threats
Defending the state against powerful foreign enemies.
5 characters · 17 questions
Castle of the Italian Rulers
Case studies of Italian princes who lost their states.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ice Citadel of Fortune's Power
How much fortune truly controls human affairs.
5 characters · 17 questions
Ruins of Resisting Fortune
How preparation and virtù can counter fortune's force.
5 characters · 17 questions
Forest of the River's Flood
The metaphor of fortune as a river to be tamed.
5 characters · 17 questions
Cave of Changing Times
Adapting one's methods to the shifting nature of the times.
5 characters · 17 questions
Volcano of Boldness and Caution
Weighing impetuous action against cautious restraint.
5 characters · 17 questions
Desert of Italy's Liberation
The exhortation to free Italy from foreign domination.
1 characters · 5 questions
How the book becomes practice
Reading puts ideas in. Retrieval keeps them there. The game is the retrieval.
Walk the world of the book
63 maps, one per part of the book. Signs along the way hold its key ideas, so the walk itself is a refresher.
Battle the characters
311 characters, each a short quiz on one idea. Answer well and the map opens up; a boss guards the end of each one.
Missed ideas come back
Every question you get wrong is re-asked in rematches and boss fights, and the Flashcards mode schedules it with spaced repetition, until you get it right.
Keep what you learn
Sign up for free and your demo progress, XP, best tower stage and flashcard schedules move to your account. Come back whenever a chapter starts to fade.