In the paper a brief analysis of the Hans Freyer’s book “Machiavelli” is presented. Special attention is paid to the circumstances of the book's emergence: in 1938 historical philosophical texts remained in Nazi Germany one of the few channels of communication between intellectuals who was trying to formulate the critical political problems and perspectives of their country. Developing a theory of action that is a responsible political act, Freyer tries at the same time to answer the question, “Is there any opportunity to change the regime?”, and makes a unconsoling conclusions.