The 48 Laws of Power

by Robert Greene

book data

1,064 ratings, 4.01 average rating, 182 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		38%
4		33%
3		19%
2		6%
1		1%

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published

September 1st 2000 (first published 1998) by Penguin (Non-Classics)

binding

Paperback, 480 pages

isbn

0140280197 (isbn13: 9780140280197)

description

"Learning the game of power requires a certain way of looking at the world, a shifting of perspective," writes Robert Greene. Mastery of one...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1,663)

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03/24/07

Sal Kasm rated it:

Read in January, 2004

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

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06/18/08

carrie beth rated it:

recommended to carrie beth by: Barter

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".

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10/18/08

Craig rated it:

bookshelves: --business, --general-nonfiction, books-ive-actually-thrown

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

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03/20/07

Justin rated it:

recommends it for: Aspiring Ruthless Power Mongers/Everyone Else

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

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01/07/09

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

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10/25/07

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

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04/03/09

Sara rated it:

(review of isbn 1861974043)

Read in May, 2007

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 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 that say they cannot stomach this book I say they have dich0tomous view of the world, for there is nothing on this earth that is purely good or purely evil. Even the taking of a human life, murder, has circumstances under which it is not viewed as an evil act. Altruism is not always done with the intent of doing good selflessly; though it may sound like an oxymoron there is such a thing as selfish altruism.

To read this book is to gain knowledge, specifically knowledge of power, and unless you intend to use that knowledge for evil reasons, it is nothing more than information as one can find in another book. Dale Carnegie's famous How to Win Friends and Influence People is one of the most popular and best-selling psychology/self-help books of all time - and yet I doubt the same critics whose stomachs turn in the reading of this book would say the same of the former. The information in that book involved power tactics and social manipulation to more an extent than does this book.

Some power tactics that are employed or described herein may be viewed as immoral or unethical, but the author does not sanction nor encourage them. And they are not all unethical - this would mean every person that has gained power is in some way immoral, and while this may be true on many counts, I believe certainly there are many exceptions. He simply has simply done his homework and can speak knowledgeably on the subject of power. Whether the reader intends to use this knowledge for good or bad is up to them.

I might also add that, for one to have such a visceral, negative reaction to this book - perhaps there is something unacknowledged within yourself that caused such a reaction? It is that which we do not acknowledge about ourselves that rules us all.(less)

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07/01/09

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

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05/10/07

Ebo Dawson-Andoh rated it:

Read in February, 2001

recommends it for: All should read this book

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.

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01/01/09

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

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02/27/09

Elie rated it:

bookshelves: non-fiction

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

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02/08/09

Taka rated it:

(review of isbn 1598870920)

bookshelves: other

Read in March, 2009

Hmmm...

I thought his other work, The Art of Seduction to be a much more fascinating and practical read. There really is NO way of constantly knowing which law(s) to use in everyday situation and there seems to be no unifying theme running through the 48 laws.

Why 48 and how the author chose them are for anyone's guess. They seem to have been assembled haphazardly without any sort of strict standards or criteria. Maybe this was because the audio book is abridged and doesn'...more

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06/02/09

Matthew rated it:

(review of isbn 1598870920)

I think there are two forms of power: 1) authentic, spiritual power and 2) worldly power. I think many would agree with this and perhaps take it a step further in saying there are many more variations of power; my versioning sounds a bit dualistic. But if you really think it through, "power" is based on expanding love OR contracting fear. Somethings tells me that Greene doesn't take this book too seriously. But he, like any human being, casts a shadow when standing in the light.
...more

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01/23/09

Serena rated it:

Read in January, 2006

I'm not sure what to say here....it is intense. It is brave. I loved it and hated it at the same time. It did prompt me to read his other two - Art of Seduction and 33 Strategies of War - both of which I love. He ties historical lessons with life lessons as nobody else can or would dare to. I would start with what you can relate to or are most curious about. This book isn't as smooth as his others, so if you don't it may lose you. I never read the Cult following chapter as it was just a little t...more

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06/07/09

Travis rated it:

Read in May, 2009

This book is basically a history text on power. While the negative criticisms are somwhat justified - yes it is a book telling you how to be deceitful and oppresive and destructive - I would say it is better to learn these lessons whether you plan on using them or not. If you plan on becoming powerful, this book sets the guidelines down perfectly. If you plan on being spiritual or ethical, then this book allows you to prepare yourself against those trying to decieve you.

I just rea...more

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08/24/08

Nicholas rated it:

Read in December, 2006

The book works like many historical stratagem guides, listing its advice, broken down into easy to memorize epigrams, with a short explanation followed by a historical example which exemplifies the thesis of the chapter. Similar books are Lure the Tiger out of the Mountain or The Book of Five Rings, although the author is much less myopic and takes his examples from every era of history, using case subjects as varied as kings, presidents, con artists, and even movie directors to back up his ass...more

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12/19/08

Sean is currently reading it

bookshelves: currently-reading

recommends it for: history fans, fans of politics, people who enjoy storytelling

This book is alot of fun because you do not have to read it sequentially; rather, you can just jump to whatever lesson interest you at the moment. It's tough to gage just how serious the author is regarding this material, some lines sound so audacious and counter to our concept of character that one would think it has to be said tongue in cheek. This is chock full of great anecdotes about important figures from history, and a worthwhile read even for those who resent those in power.

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11/30/08

Valerie0022 rated it:

recommended to Valerie0022 by: Jen
recommends it for: Anyone who may feel powerless

Brilliant! If you're a history buff at all this book is for you! Not only does this book discuss important people in history and how they became that way...but it teaches you the dinamics of how to imply it to your own life today. Some of the laws may seem a little harsh, but the general ideas of these laws make total sense. I have implied some of these im my daily life and they have been very successful. Excellent for personal and professional relationships.

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03/25/08

Sean O'Neil rated it:

Stunning assay of human cleverness employed for the selfish goals of power and superiority. Historical examples, explanations of impulse and drive, and suggested application. This book could be used by a mercenary-minded individual to claw his/her way up the corporate or political ladder, and probably has been so used. But to me it is most valuable for its insights into the misanthropic drives that exist within all of us, and the perils of unleashing those drives for purely selfish ends. As ...more

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04/23/08

Jon rated it:

I enjoyed this book. Robert Greene is a smart man. I enjoyed the structure of it more than anything. It was meticulously researched and organized in both its graphic presentation and its content.

The strategies outlined can be abstracted and applied to everyday life. It can be seen as an intellectual version of "How to Succeed in Business..." in that it can be used as a strategy for manipulation in a number of nefarious manners. It can also be a kind of self-help manual for ...more

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quotes from this book

"Few are born bold. Even Napoleon had to cultivate the habit on the battlefield, where he knew it was a matter of life and death. In social settings he was awkward and timid, but he overcame this and practice boldness in every part of his life because he saw its tremendous power, how it could literally enlarge a man(even one who, like Napoleon, was in fact conspicuously small). " More quotes...