The Art of Seduction
by Robert Greene
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Book Reviews of The Art of Seduction
Book Review: Fascinating Psychological Expose
Summary: 4 Stars
Must read romantic persuasion studies to treacherous seduction, Greene's historical tale here is a work of art. This is a sardonic, yet often profound view of the use of persuasion, influence and manipulation for personal benefit. This book is a synthesis of philosophy and psychology, and is paradigm breaking. Freud must have had a similar unnerving effect on his contemporaries when he discussed premises for behavior that were previously not part of social discourse. The author expands his global metaphor of "life as war" from his book the 48 Laws of Power into love and spirituality. This piece may be the most effective tool in today's culture, but it certainly is an interesting study. Numerous conflict and struggle analysis, and subliminal persuasion techniques to exploit situations.
The first half of the book identifies a number of infamous seductive characters over the centuries, and identifies the unique characteristics of each personality. The second half describes the seduction techniques they used, and the likely personality types they would most effectually be used against.
For the modern Casanova, Greene's seduction stories are a bit dated and chivalrous to translate into a modern day pick up artist, but highlights how the great seducer's of the past used their persuasion and charms to their advantage.
As far as the modern era, a comparable effective book for sexual influence, toying and subconscious steering of ones emotions to lure in women, I suggest The Professional Bachelor Dating Guide - How to Exploit Her Inner Psycho. Besides being a funny analytical satire, it encompasses very effective persuasion tactics and NLP to seduce the subconscious of each of a dozen personality types, who, let's be realistic, want to be seduced, or they wouldn't allow it to happen.
Book Review: Recipe for Intensity
Summary: 5 Stars
This is no manual. There are no great pick up lines and no review of the best places to meet girls. But this book offers the prospect of total attitudinal change and the payoff of a rich emotional and fantasy life. And yes, if you make the commitment, you will get laid more often too.
There is lots of common sense. Of course confidence attracts, and compliments and constant attention are effective on women. But knowing when to stir anxiety and inflict a little pain -- that is priceless. Is it dark, amoral? Perhaps. Greene accentuates his cold hard edge by referring to the object of your affections as the "victim," to be manipulated and plied with forbidden taboos. He advocates passion, advising those who are stuck with passive types to "do what you need to if you are to have your own way, then end the affair and move on." His advice on ending an affair reflects a hint of husbandry, as he describes how the "victim" is to be "sacrificed, not tortured." In the end however, both parties take the risks of the heart. By following Greene's advice, you may become a very successful seducer, but you will not be immune from spell you weave.
Overall, this is a romantic work. It is lyrically written, and spiced with enough historical and literary references to give it educational value and credibility. The prose creates the seductive world needed for seduction and confirms its effectiveness. After immersing myself in The Art of Seduction for a weekend, I found nature more alluring, the weather more immediate, women more beautiful and full of promise.
The book contains much excellent psychology ("timidity is self-absorption"), and an elegent consistency in the style and prose. But not necessarily in the advice. It is hard to square Greene's calculating approach with the spontanaity of the famous lovers he cites. But then, they were artists, and true art cannot be taught.
Book Review: Very Good, but Misleading
Summary: 4 Stars
First of all, I'd like to address some reviewers who have given their own moral take on the concepts discussed in this book. I think the rating system is one based on quality, not moral determinism. Many, if not most, and if not all, have also shown remarkable close-mindedness, which is always detriment to objectivity and open discussion.
This book frankly discusses our psychology, and what makes us tick, and what makes us iron filings to a magnetic personality, and how to magnetise ourselves. It is a stunning and enlightening insight into human psychology, a collage of history, sociology, and of course, seducers.
But hey, you may say, why don't you give it 5 stars? You just heaped the biggest pile of superlatives this side of a well-licked boot.
The answer lies, in that, it is simply inadequate for first steps in seduction. Over the long term, it contains pertinent and important information on how to seduce, re-seduce, and seal the heat in like a good cooling box. However, the strategies it details for initial phase seduction, is in my humble opinion, inadequate. For the Red Queen effect applies even to the dating world, and the dating world has moved on and modernised.
What this book is, is a great book on long term relationships and seduction. It is devoid of morals, as one reviewer has put it, but I find it all for the better as it is far less biased toward any distortions Morals might place in it. For this book is not a novel, it is an encyclopedia, a reference. And encyclopedias don't obey some shoddily-premised artificial society-constructed dogma.
The Art of Seduction, is a richly coloured tapestry in the fabric of life and the cloth of love. Just don't go thinking that this will instantly make you Mr Giancomo. You actually have to practice.
Book Review: Are You A "Victim" Of This Book?
Summary: 4 Stars
This excellent book makes one good point: deception is harder to detect than what is commonly believed, for people prefer to live in fantasy than in reality; promise what your victim wants, he/she will blind fold their own eyes for you.
A large portion of the book, however, is just highly entertaining non-sense. It uses history, non-scientific and unverifiable examples, to lull the readers alway from reality(now) and into fantasy(history). After all, how does the author really know about the psycological state of a person who had died serveral hundred years ago, and that, in fact, the history had been recorded correctly.
A previous reviewer said it dead on the spot, try to apply the techniques this book described if you will(and many of them are very useful), but ultimately use your common sense. Don't get carried away by your own illusion. As anyone knows, sometimes a direct and honest approach is most satisfying, and works best. Try to remember that after reading this powerful and persuasive book.
Also, has anyone looked up the definition of a sociopath? Interestingly, it is very close to the definition of a 'seducer' described in this book. For example, a sociopath is "an amoral person who doesn't see others as people, but as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims. They are deceitful, irritable, reckless, lack of remorse, and usually fail to conform to social norms." So to become a good seducer is to amplify certain qualities of a sociopath in yourself.
But whatever the true is about the art of seduction, this is a very good book to read. I highly recommend buying a copy of your own. If nothing else, this book will add another dimension to the way you perceive social relationships of any kind, business or personal.
Book Review: It's Entertainment, Folks
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been reading other reviews of this book, and been amused at the desperate seriousness with which Mr. Greene's advice has been taken. My perspective on this book is very different from that of most of the other reviewers. First:
* This book is *not* exceptionally profound. It rests upon the simple principle that it is possible to manipulate anyone by fulfilling a psychological need (for attention, praise, whatever). That principle can be and has been discussed elsewhere, in different forms; Mr. Greene has merely chosen to capitalize upon it by applying it to sex, a subject of almost universal human interest.
* This book is *not* intrinsically evil. More precisely, it is no more evil than is any other book which gives advice about how to manipulate others--including the other "pickup" books referred to by some of the other reviewers. An effective technique is merely that; whether its use is "evil" depends on the manner in which the technique is used.
* This book is *not* going to be particularly useful for people who just want advice on how to get laid, because it requires more effort to be expended, both in ascertaining the psychology of the "victim" and in continuing to devise scenarios that will meet the victim's needs, than such folk are willing to expend.
I originally read the book *after* I had completed a successful seduction without it. I read it primarily for titillation, as it reminded me of the pleasure we both had gained as a result of my actions. It is well written and, on that level alone, an enjoyable read. But life changing? No, unless the reader has no prior knowledge of psychology whatsoever. Don't take Greene's book so seriously, folks. Just reading it isn't going to turn you into a monster.