The 48 Laws of Power
by Robert Greene
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Book Reviews of The 48 Laws of Power
Book Review: How to be a snake in the grass...or avoid one
Summary: 4 Stars
Let's face it: life is all about survival--how well you do it and for how long. It's a war of all against all and alliances of love and friendship are conditional, always temporary, even if long-lasting; in any event, death severs the strongest of bonds. Live well, there's nothing better in the offing. Sacrifice others as needed to continue doing so. That's the message inherent on every page of *The 48 Laws of Power* and they are the laws under which you live whether you like it or not. Here are the rules of the game and the strategies to win; no one's forcing you to learn them. In fact, if you don't, all's the better! The game can use more losers and the wolves of the world never lose their taste for sheep.
Borrowing heavily from such legends of cynicism as Machiavelli, Gracian, and Schopenhauer, Greene basically separates, expands and categorizes the age-old principles of being unprincipled and seasons them with examples from history, fable, and myth. I found the anecdotes and stories, especially those drawn from history, to be the most entertaining aspect of *48 Laws of Power.* The advice--well, it's certainly sound if not terribly original. Yes, it's been said before, but then again, what hasn't?
What Greene has done is to cleverly systematize this approach to backstabbing and leap-frogging your way to the top of any pyramid. And he's made the whole grisly lesson entertaining in the bargain. This book, ultimately, isn't just for those looking to grab the biggest chunk of meat, but can be used to equal advantage by those looking to hang on to as much of whatever meat they already have. In other words, *48 Laws* can help you recognize what kind of snakes are slithering around your life, how to identify their poison, and the antidote to administer should you be bitten.
Survival can be as much a matter of avoiding the power-plays of others as it can be of executing such plays yourself.
Politics, business, love...life is fascistic at every level. The message here is: Don't get caught with your pants down--even when your pants are down! Not to be taken too seriously, but not to be entirely discounted either, read it with a wink, yet sleep with one eye open, *The 48 Laws of Power* is a lot of fun, especially for those of us who get a perverse kick out of being reminded of what a bunch of self-righteous, self-serving stinkers we all are.
Book Review: The new "Art of War" -- Outstanding treatise for our time
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is the "Art of War" for the 21st century.
Having survived the corporate world and now working on my own as a consultant and a university instructor, I can tell you that The 48 Laws of Power might be the most important book you can read to ensure your survival in the working world. It really is the study of nearly every politically volatile situation in which you can find yourself.
The basic theme of this book is: "Knowledge is power. And power will get you ahead." The knowledge contained in the book is the knowledge gained from studying the colossal failures and victories from history. That's the great thing about this book; it advocates a position, supports it and then gives you exceptions to its own rules.
Many readers have complained that this book is immoral. Some of my students were initially offended at some of the passages -- but they calmed down once they put the laws in context. If you read this book closely, you will realize that there is nothing immoral about it. This book is AMORAL, and there's a big difference. I have used excerpts from this book in my classes to explain everything from strategy and tactics to politics and relationships.
The thing I like the most about this book is that it can be read on many different levels. If you're just looking to get the general idea of a law, you can read the stories in the margins and basically skim the book. If you're looking for the more thorough analysis, you can read the entire book. You have the option.
I think the mistake many people make when they read this book is they believe the laws are meant to be used together. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many of the laws actually conflict with other laws, so they are, in effect mutually exclusive. That doesn't make them any less true.
I maintain that the readers who have panned this book simply don't understand it. This book is not for everyone. Nor should it be read by anyone who doesn't take it in it's proper context. Some of these laws can get you in some serious hot water if not implemented correctly.
Get this book. Read it and then re-read it. Put your favorite passages on the wall where you can see them every day. USE this book, because if you don't, someone else who is trying to get ahead will play the political game better than you.
Book Review: Everyone should read this book by age 25
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading "The 48 Laws of Power" my first reaction was that everyone should read this book by age 25. Not necessarily 18 or 21, but after being in the adult world for a few years, and getting some experience under one's belt, it's time to learn more about the different ways that power manifests itself.
I came to this book about a decade and a half later than that, but this book is still very useful. Paradoxically, I would recommend it especially to people who don't think they are interested in wielding power or manipulating others. You still need to understand defensively that all of these approaches to power are possible and being used by other people around you. I also find that as I get older, new forms of power become both possible and necessary. Twentysomethings may not even realize that in that fresh, youthful, sometimes naive role you are actually wielding a kind of power--one that requires growth and reinvention as you get older.
The book is highly readable engaging because it shares stories from many cultures and times. I read the book one or two chapters a day, spreading it out rather than trying to read straight through. The principles are illustrated through successful "observance of the law" and failed "transgressions of the law." (Incidentally, if this approach had been used to teach history in school it would have been a lot more interesting and memorable.)
So why 4 stars instead of 5? It's a reminder to the reader that you need to take this book with a large grain of salt. Yes, you could go off the deep end following too closely some of the power-mad leaders profiled in the book, but that is not really the point. Read this book, understand it, and figure out the best and most ethical way to apply it to your life. Don't be afraid of these principles but keep in mind what Buddha said, "Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
Other books I recommend in this area include Influence: Science and Practice and Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Book Review: For students of the allure of power
Summary: 5 Stars
A couple of weeks ago I found a copy of this book and started flipping through it. It seemed interesting enough, so I asked for it from my wife when she wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas.A few days later, she came home from shopping and said "I can't believe you wanted that book. There's no way I'm buying it for you! It's so bad! It tells you about how to take credit for other people's work, and how to make sure you end up on top all the time...etc. etc." I made a brief argument as to why I had thought it looked interesting, and then pretty much forgot all about it.
Well, wouldn't you know it, she bought it for me anyway. And I couldn't have been more impressed. Anyone who is a student of the power dynamic in society will immediately have their eyes opened to so much of what really goes on in politics and interpersonal struggle.
The chapters are broken down into different 'laws', each of which has a short story of a historical example of the observance and transgression of the law. The chapters are rounded off with an illustration or two (usually from nature)and a brief discussion on when the opposing principle of the law may prove to be more advantageous to a power broker.
Although I philosophically disagree with the author's presuppositions on ethics, I still found this book to be a real eye-opener. Greene seemingly presupposes that there is no 'right or wrong' in human behavior, only 'circumstances' that may be manipulated at times. Not only do I find his starting point to be morally bankrupt, I would argue that nobody can actually live that way: Every time someone says something to the effect of 'That's not fair' they are appealing to a higher law of right and wrong that they expect others to subscribe to as they do.
Nevertheless, much of contemporary ethics is based on Greene's assumptions, and as you read this book you'll discover that he makes a powerful argument from illustration that those in power must of necessity view the world from an amoral vantage point.
I can highly recommend this book for anyone who is an observer of contemporary politics. Entertainingly written, creatively and beautifully designed, captivating in content with short chapters that won't bog you down... this is definitely a book worth reading. And don't be surprised if it changes the way you look at your world.
Book Review: Insightful
Summary: 5 Stars
The book deals with each of the 48 laws with a very wide selection of parables, myths, anecdotes and stories from all over the world and form all times, illustrating the unchanging dynamics of power over the centuries. It features Chinese warlords, Roman and renaissance-Italian power-mongers, American and European conmen, famous courtiers from the French courts before the Revolution, and even musings by Thomas Edison. And of course, the book pays tribute to the power-writer of all time, Niccolo Machiavelli.Learning the game of power requires a certain way of looking at situations and shift of perspective. To master the art takes effort, which requires certain basic skills, once mastered one is able to apply the laws of power. The most fundamental of this skill is the ability to master your emotions. An emotional response to a situation is the greatest barrier to power, a mistake that will cost you a lot more than any temporary satisfaction you may gain by expressing your feelings. Emotions cloud reason, and if you cannot see the situation clearly, you cannot prepare for and respond to it with any degree of control.
Anger is the most destructive of the emotional responses, for it clouds your vision the most. It has a ripple effect that invariable makes situation less controllable and heightens your enemy's resolve. Love and emotions are potentially destructive in that they blind you to the often self-serving interests of those whom you least suspect.
The writings by Greene are an essential guide to power play. They can help one be astute, alert, manipulative, cunning and provide an ability to strategize with the end goal in mind. A clear grasp and understanding of the situation is a must. The rhythm of power requires an alteration of force and cunning. Too much force creates a counter-reaction; too much cunning no matter how well thought makes it predictable.
The 48 Laws of Power is very cynical and depicts a world without mercy. The book is written in a manner so as to inspire the reader to achieve great power with an iron fist by talking directly to the reader, much like a self-help tape. Despite this belligerent and unabating tone, and the fact that it takes over 500 pages to get through all the laws, it is very readable, very clear in its message and the laws in it are not to be easily refuted.