The Art of Seduction
by Robert Greene
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Book Reviews of The Art of Seduction
Book Review: How to Get What's Not Yours: The Art of Simulation
Summary: 4 Stars
Seduction is not an intentional process. As a matter of fact, intent is opposed to seduction by default. The conscious mind is seduction's worst enemy. I am surprised that Greene cites Baudrillard on seduction, when Jean Baudrillard deplores the fact that the natural play of seduction is now almost gone from our lives, being increasingly replaced by simulation, which is precisely the work of the mind.
Aside from grossly mistaking the nature of seduction, Greene's book is brilliant. It delineates with great accuracy the process of simulation, although the author thinks he is describing seduction.
Nothing that is truly yours can be conquered. Anything that can indeed be conquered is not yours and will not stay with you even as you get it and own it. There are things that simply cannot be "had" because it is in their nature to escape our grasp. The firmer the grip, the greater the dissatisfaction. It is the "revenge of the object," as Baudrillard would say. The struggle to obtain something gives victory a sour taste, which comes from the realization that it has not come to you naturally, but was lured towards a "you" that does not really exist, hence the touch of loneliness all the way to the end.
You can't have your cake and eat it, too. Except for seduction, of course, which is our natural ability to fall for what is always, already our own. But if one doesn't want to fall that deep into the darkness and is afraid to be with himself, he's welcome to read Greene's book and will probably find it a technique well worth falling for. However, at some point, the tables will be turned...
Book Review: CultLeaderz R US?
Summary: 1 Stars
Was this a workbook at the Charles Manson's School of Seduction? Was the original title 'How to Sell your Soul, Become a Real Jerk and Bring Your Own Destruction In Ten Evil Steps'?
This book has all you guys of low self esteem thinking that you got something good, some power that you never could find before, the inside information on how you could finally be somebody. Well, don't look now but you have been duped, and this bad deal affects way too many. The author's pen name should be U.B. Mesmerized because you are and he's rich from doing to you what he tells you to do to others. He found your weakness,used you for his gain, enticed you, sold you lies and put you on a path further away from the power you already possess. What a cheap trick.
The reviewer who wrote that his date saw this book in his apt. and had the sense to remove herself from, for all she knew, the clutches of unholy masked man, Monster Gameplaya of Narcissy [He walks, he talks, he crawls on his belly like a reptile], let a great girl get away. Too bad that book told her that he was probably incapable of love yet very capable of taking her, himself and society down a few pegs. She wanted to move forward on the high road. She moved on alright. Quickly. More than likely she had been down Chicanery Road to Chaos Street before or had once lost pieces of herself near the corner of Self Doubt and Confusion. Too bad he lost her.
No doubt, I pontificate. Just lets be careful what we fall for, insecure people, because this bill of goods carries some bad ju-ju. Some things sometime just aren't good at all.
Book Review: a treasure trove of useful information
Summary: 5 Stars
The Art of Seduction is the only book I've ever read on this subject and will likely be the last. The book is very detailed and comprehensive. It's not just a simple "how to" manuel that gives you simple steps to seduction. The book profiles some of the greatest seducers of history (both real and imaginary). By learning about how others were so successful, we can learn how to utilize the same or similar methods for our own purposes. It is emphasized however that successful seduction depends on many factors that we must be mindful of. For example, nine different seductive styles are explained and then we learn about eighteen different victim types. We also learn about anti-seductive traits that we must avoid. The rest of the book focuses mostly on seduction strategy while using examples of how some of the best seducers of history operated and why they were successful.
I do not feel in the least bit ashamed of owning this book and studying it (I've actually told others about it). What one must understand, is that seduction isn't all about picking up people for immoral purposes. It's about gaining peoples confidence, attracting and influencing them. One can get just as much (if not more) out of this book than "How to Win Friends and Influence People". When one wins friends and influences people, they are seducing others. People who tend to be very influential and attract others fit into one or more of the seductive character types explained in this book. Indeed, some of the people in "A Ranking of the most influential Persons in History" are also in this book as examples of master seducers.
Book Review: Psychology of Seduction and Player Profiles
Summary: 5 Stars
Some would say that when it comes to love or war anything is fair. That will depend upon one's moral and ethical standards, too. I don't want to get into the ethics of this book, just to point out what you will or won't find here.
Seduction is a game. This book is about the players on both sides - seducers and seduced. Based on psychological preferences, the author has divided seducers and seducees into types, offering a psychological profile and the tactics for winning the game of seduction, together with providing an example of each.
If you are ever involved in the game of seduction, just like playing any other game,it is useful knowing the rules of the game as well as knowing your own strong and weak points.
Some people who read this book would come to the conclusion that seducers, hunters, are villains and those being seduced, hunted - victims. That, though, is left up to another debate.
Those who don't care to be involved in games of seduction are not going to fall prey to the game any more, any more than those who don't want to be involved in playing a game of chess will end up playing it - and neither will those who have high moral standards engage in senselessly playing with other's minds and emotions.
The book is an interesting read at least from the psychological perspective. Whether you feel comfortable with the seductive ploys in this book or they leave you feeling nauseous - if you ever get involved on either side of the seduction game, you may benefit from having some insights into the game or seduction.
Book Review: Power to be used for good or for evil...
Summary: 5 Stars
That all are suduced by something becomes plain after thinking carefully through this book. Used in it's wider definition, one can be seduced by the peacefulness afforded by contact with a saint. Rather than fear the power of seduction, I think it better to understand seduction (the art and the technique), and then use it for good influence and be wary of it's use against me and my loved ones for ill means.
This book helped me understand some of my more destructive behavior in such a way that I feel less inclined...sort of turned on the lights so that I can see the magician's mirrors and silk thread so that the seduction loses some of it's power.
At the same time, understanding seduction helps me maintain the interest of those whom I love (a good thing for both of us since I mean no harm).
A similar classic book, "Influence," by Robert Cialdini--who infiltrated a wide variety of occupations (from waiters to Krishna members) to study how sales are made--shares the same disturbing quality: the information is so powerful it could be used for good or for destructive purposes.
If for no other purpose than self defense, I'll re-read this one occasionally. If I'm ever married again, this book will take on even more significance: Satisfying and being satisfied by one woman for many years takes much more skill in seduction than does attracting a variety of short-lived friendships.
Charles Runels, MD
Author of "Anytime...for as Long as You Want: Strength, Genius, Libido, & Erection by Integrative Sex Transmutation"