Dr. M. V. Krishna Rao's Studies in Kautilya is an objective and through examination of Kautilya's Arthasastrafrom the standpoint of his own age and society. Kautilya and Aristotle are found to have many identical views, which are opposed to Machiavelli's. Kautilya abhorred petty principalities and advocated a strong empire based on righteousness. The emergence of the Mauryan emprire, which comprises practically the whole of the Indian sub-continent, attests to the genius of Kautilya as a political theorist and practical statesman. Strict economy of expression, adherence to discussion and judicious selection of topics are the factors which bring into bold relief the various interesting aspects of the Arthasastra in a book of this small size.