Goodreads Mobile | see what your friends are reading

Mar 25, 2007

S rated it:

There are some engaging principles here that make you consider the principle of power from different vantage points -- This book is for those who already have a strong moral center as you find that the author meanders and introduces you to novel approaches to accquiring power --- often times at the expense of values. In many ways, this book is Machiavellian in scope and re-modifies many of the same principles in The Prince for our more modern age. If you're looking for a short-cut to get to the More...

0 comments like (7 people liked it)

Jun 18, 2008

carrie beth rated it:

I couldn't stomach this book so to be fair I only finished about a quarter of it so I can't speak for the whole thing. A friend recommended it to me. It seemed to justify selfishness on these somewhat flawed ethics-based arguments. I think it's a recommended reading for business majors. Some folks love it. A good book to check out on power that takes a somewhat different approach is Thich Naht Hanh's "The Art of Power".

3 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 29, 2012

Igor rated it:

"Мудрость начинается с принятия фактов", жаль не помню автора этих слов. Книга "48 законов власти" подчеркивает тот факт, что власть, будучи самоцелью, либо средством выживания, делает средства ее достижения неискоренимыми. Мораль и законы власти находятся скорее в разных плоскостях. Люди, стремящиеся к власти, среди нас и вокруг нас. Начиная от желания влиять на мнения окружающих, и заканчивая стремлением управлять мировыми структурами, все эти люди могут представлять опасно More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 15, 2009

Craig rated it:

This books falls on its face on so many levels. What was the author shooting for here? Am I the only one who doesn't "get" this book? As a "serious" management-like book this book fails miserably. It's mean-spirited nonsense manifesto along the lines of:

1. Be as deceitful as you can. Then step it up a notch or two. Repeat until you are God of the Universe.
2. There's no shame in clawing your bloody way to the top of the pile by stepping on people's he More...

2 comments like (7 people liked it)

Jul 18, 2007

Justin rated it:

This is Machiavelli updated for the everyman (and woman). Robert Greene is educated as all get out and he puts it out there for everyone to see. Really, the only way you can make arguments for the positions he takes is by citing historical example, (i.e. the laws of power are immutable and unchanging and here's all my examples throughout history to explicate that). Machiavelli really only relied on his own times (Renaissance Italy which of course was populated with characters like Cesare Borge w More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Jan 07, 2009

Blake rated it:

i learned to be eviiiilll with this book....haha actually this book made me realize how shady people can be. Plus how smart you and ambitious you should be about succeeding in life. You got to stand out in this world. If you roll with the bunches you'll become lost. You always have to have a good reputation or if you have a certain reputation you better use it to your advantage (damn im evil hahaha). This book will expose and teach you alot about the real world. One of my first books i really re More...

1 comment like (7 people liked it)

Feb 05, 2012

Dinesh singh rated it:

There can be more than 48 laws in practical life, but must have for some one who is ambitious and always want to be in power.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 08, 2007

Tosh rated it:

This is really an unique book that serves both as a manual as well as a reading of the history of power and how it was used through the ages. I imagine most read this book to get insight into business transactions or self-help - but what is fascinating are the examples that are used to show certain aspects of obtaining or getting power. That and Robert's other two books "The Art of Seduction" and the War one are important studies on the nature of those subject matters.

Re More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Apr 03, 2009

Sara rated it:

This book does not have to be construed as a means to cruel and heartless power any more than Sun Tzu's The Art of War should be viewed as such. Are some power tactics manipulative? Yes. Does getting to the top sometimes involve taking an opportunity away from someone else? Yes. Is power necessarily a bad thing? No. Often, yes. Though this is not necessarily the case. Greene outlines a number of the aspects of power, giving concrete and interesting examples from history.

For those th More...

0 comments like (6 people liked it)

Feb 10, 2012

Kelli rated it:

There are about 1 million books that purport to explain how to essentially "win" at social situations by making friends, getting your specific goal accomplished, coming off as the alpha dog, etc., but this book kicks all their asses.

Each "law of power" is illustrated with a historical event that included a fight for power and a clear-cut winner or loser. These are all high-profile cases with which you'll be familiar -- how Cleopatra seduced Marc Antony, how Napoleo More...

0 comments like

Nov 09, 2011

Juan rated it:

This book is not for everybody. Some might argue whoever acts like described in the book is soulless, a monster, etc. For those who have been in a position of power and know how difficult to get there might be and how even more difficult is to stay there, many of these rules are -sadly- applicable -at least they are when things get tough. The only low point I found in the book is that some historical examples might be boring, some up to date example would be welcome in my opinion.

Est More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 03, 2011

Joshua rated it:

I think this is a horrible book. Written well enough, sure, whatever, but just so very, very wrong, unless you have no morals. At least with Machiavelli you could make the excuse that he wasn't so much advocating what he said, but merely describing reality. This guy is advocating evil. As I read it I couldn't help wondering how many politicians actually think this way.

If I ever met someone who actually liked this book and wanted to live their life according to it, I would never hire More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 18, 2011

Seif rated it:

I have read the many reviews that criticize the 48 Laws as "Not Practical", "Dangerous" and "Shameless". What planet are you people from. I went to night school to get a college degree, I have followed my fathers advise and worked an honest days labor. I came in early and stayed late to get the job done. I have received great reviews and many promises of money and promotion. All for little. I noticed my peers, who were not as dedicated as I by their own admission, c More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Sep 02, 2011

Marcin rated it:

Robert Greene's The 48 Laws of Power reads, at first glance, like a self-help book for sociopaths.

The preface compares today's office-bound world to the aristocratic court, and posits that nothing has changed. Sure, we smell a little better, and a few lucky stiffs have access to unions and whatnot, but in the grand scheme of things, everybody's waiting to crush you and discredit you and pick their teeth with your bones, so beware! What do you really know about Tina in accounting?
More...

0 comments like

Jun 27, 2011

Babs rated it:

Did you ever notice how sometimes the right book comes along at the right time? I bought this book way back in '01, almost as a joke--it was so politically incorrect, but mostly for the stellar historical references-- remember, he who forgets the past is destined to repeat it. Little did I realize this tome was to become one of the most dog-eared and spine-cracked books in my collection. Initially, I was trying to make sense of the havoc that schemers and liars were wreaking upon me. I used t More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Mar 02, 2011

Asmira added it

The Book I am reading is about 48 Laws of power. This book is quite interesting because It tells us about power. We use all power in our daily life which is quite amazing. The 48 laws of power is about how to gain power and use it in a well manner way.The laws focus on how one we can increase influence over any situation we face.Power games are inevitable and However, I won’t say that all the 48 laws are useful in all your relationships because power isn't everything,though many people do undere More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jul 29, 2010

Sara Lynn rated it:

This book does not get two stars because I am offended by its contents, or naive enough to think that this isn't how some people function. This book gets two stars simply because it's boring, though it does have it's funny moments.

I picked up 48 Laws of Power with no knowledge about it at all. It was an eBook lent to me by a friend, and when I started reading it- I thought it was a joke. I found myself laughing out loud at this "exaggerated" take on the recognizable ac More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jul 01, 2009

Creve rated it:

Some good historical examples & info.

Pg. 321 Keys to Power

We all tell lies and hide our true feelings, for complete free expression is a social impossibility. From an early age we learn to conceal our thoughts, telling the prickly and insecure what we know they want to hear, watching carefully lest we offend them. For most of us this is natural - there are ideas and values that most people accept, and it is pointless to argue. We believe what we want to, then, but on t More...

0 comments like

Dec 16, 2009

Ebo rated it:

This book is a modern day synthesis of Machiavelli's "The Prince", Miyamoto Musashi's "Book of Five Rings" and Sun Tzu's "Art of War". An excellent and enlightening read for anyone who wants to get a perspective on the drives behind most social interactions. Upon first glance some might assume that this book is about how to get a 'one up' on others, yet you will find that this book will point out things that you already knew and will help you master yourself.

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

May 06, 2011

Yosep rated it:

For all the readers and reviewers who don't "get" or like this book, here's what you are not getting: It is fact. This book is not teaching anyone to be amoral. It is teaching you how people really are in the real world. It separates the behaviors and tactics of people in history who have succeeded and failed into the 48 "Laws". It is an explanation of power in the only way it can be expressed.
If you don't want to be a deceitful heartless prick who does whatever he can More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Nov 14, 2011

William rated it:

This book is written in a very interesting way. Its like a book full will a bunch of short stories that tells each person's mistakes or achievements in life. In the book there are 48 chapters and each chapter teaches about one individual law. Each law has its own purpose. This book teaches one, to gain power and each law is backed up with many stories showing how important peoples in history that have either used the law or misused the law.

I really love reading this book because I tho More...

0 comments like

Nov 16, 2010

No Remorse rated it:

“Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit, because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.”
— Tacitus, C. (A.D. 55-120)

"...a woman who is interested in a man wants to see that other women are interested in him, too. Not only does that give him instant value, it makes it all the more satisfying to snatch him from their clutches." -Robert Greene

"Everything in seduction however, depends on suggestion. You cannot announce your intentions or r More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Feb 06, 2010

Modelsandmoguls rated it:

At first read, much of the premise of 48 Laws can be hard to stomach.

Many readers, I would imagine, would not be able to accept the basic "ethics" tenant of the book( I couldn't completely at first).

We live in a very cruel, competitive and often unfair world and despite our best intentions, we must deal with certain realities whether you wish to just survive or thrive.

48 Laws offers a very pragmatic perspective.

Robert Greene demonstrates More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 01, 2010

Ann rated it:

When I first started reading this book, I got scared at the possibility of truth represented by the writer.. Then I really started enjoying it- because really- humans are really funny creatures- not to admit that would be an inability on our part to accept a divine joke.

So I laughed at myself, at shifting societal standards of morality, at politicians- (and the principles here really remind me of them).
And I especially enjoyed the last piece of advice:
"..ABOVE ALL: More...

0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Jan 01, 2009

Erik rated it:

Greene's works are incredible works of analytical nonfiction- essentially, he goes through history and examines the methods by which various famous rulers, generals, business leaders and other promenint figures of history achieved, held, defended or took power from other people. He pulls the writings of other major war and power historians as well as philosophers into his works showing that much of the knowledge is known, but his work concentrates it and gives it fresh face for today. If there w More...

0 comments like

Aug 28, 2011

Melody rated it:

I hated every word of this manual for the soulless. It's a perfect example of exactly what's wrong with Big Pharma, big business, Wall Street, and in short capitalism as it's currently practiced. This book, which is kinda-sorta a synthesis of many previous Me First directives (Machiavelli leaps to mind), is a handbook on how to fuck over everyone you come in contact with, in order for you to get "ahead" and "succeed". It'd be awesome for sociopaths and wanna-be-CEOs. It plung More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Mar 19, 2010

La pointe de la sauce rated it:

Before reading this book one should bear in mind the value of honesty and mutual respect, which should never be sacrificed. With that said this book is almost totally amoral, evil, corrupt and I guess, very effective. It's the sort of aggressive book people in banking/finance read on a Sunday whilst robbing grandma's pension. It asks the reader to play dirty, court attention, take credit for others work, you name it.

There are about a handful of strategies a self respecting person ca More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Sep 05, 2009

Braxton rated it:

This book was sent to me while I was living in California. While riding the subway there, I had read some pages over a woman's shoulder and was fascinated by it. I told my girlfriend all about it and she sent it. It has a lot of insightful examples and quotes from various periods of time and parts of the world. I do recommend this for learning about yourself and others, but do not recommend it if you are not a discerning reader. It's basically a book that teaches how to manipulate people. H More...

0 comments like

Apr 08, 2011

Zeno rated it:

My copy of this book is almost entirely worn out. I am no more powerful now than the day I bought this book, but I am a whole lot less stupider. Anyone could benefit from this book. It does not teach the principles of megalomania so much as a kind of common sense that is a whole lot less common than it ought to be.[return][return]In addition to that, the wide range of historical anecdotes used to illustrate the "laws" make the book worth reading over and over again. [return][return More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 27, 2009

Elie rated it:

Unashamedly Machiavellian, with liberal quotes from Italian nobles, classical Chinese philosophers and Schopenhauer, Greene's handbook proposes to outline the basic tenets of attaining and preserving power.

However, with sub-sections like 'Play on People's Need to Believe to Create a Cult-like Following' and 'Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter,' the scheming tone Greene uses is too much like the villain's evil laugh in a fairytale to be taken seriously.

If you wer More...

0 comments like