The 48 Laws of Power

Great interesting read!

I have not finished this book yet but so far it is very enjoyable! I love how the writer includes examples of the laws within history and by historic figues. Also the way the book is printed with little side stories and notes in the margins is awesome! I find it very fascinating and great for discussions.
Some laws do not seem practical or amirable but are important to the topic none the less. I am interested in trying to apply some of these laws to my life and perhaps increase the quality of my life. I have been picked on and put down most of my life but perhaps this book will help me turn that around! It is somewhat inspirational.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Shame on those who applaud these ideas!

As a retired CEO and now university professor, I cannot disagree more strongly with the premise of this book and the tactics promoted within. The ideas expoused here are ruthless, amoral, manipulative nonsense -- a dose of pure utilitarianism for the stupid and greedy. Glaring examples of this twisted ethos were apparent in the management teams at Enron, Tyco, Worldcom, Arthur Anderson, Adelphia, and a host of other disfunctional corporations. The unsustainable paths these organizations chose, and the disasterous outcomes that resulted, exemplify the distorted ideas expoused in this sadly popular writing. Once again, Greene reminds us that no social question is so complex that a simple-minded solution can't be offered. For those interested in reading works on this subject with true substance, I can recommend the following: (1) 'Power, Influence and Persuasion' by Harvard Business School Press & Society for Human Resource Management, (2) 'Power and Influence' by John P. Kotter (at Harvard), (3) 'Managing with Power: Politics and Influence in Organizations' by Jeffrey Pfeffer (at Stanford), and (4) 'Power in Organizations' by Jeffrey Pfeffer (at Stanford). Reading credible and well documented books like these from genuine thought leaders will hopefully innoculate aspiring managers against the 'intellectual kitty litter' offered by Greene.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

My favorite book and gift this year

Those who complain about the books ethics are weak and will never succeed in the doggy dog world of business. They will never be on top of the world. The book was wonderful. I really enjoyed the way that it used history to detail and explain each law. There should be a class taught in every college based on this staegy. I take that back, It wouldn't make the reader as powerful if everyone knew what was going on.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Not What I Anticipated

I thought this book would be more of a "How-To" in terms of getting power. Instead, what it is seems to be more of a long-winded history lesson. The research is quite in-depth, and it reads quite easily, but the teachings on how to accumulate power simply don't apply to modern-day life. Whether or not a general in some army burned the horns of cattle at night to give the appearance of more men to scare his enemy does not help me figure out how to gain power. Yes, it's fun to try to apply the teachings in this book to your life, but the simple fact is that it just doesn't work. It's a great read, and it's entertaining, but it's not going to help Joe Everyday get a leg up on the competition at his 9-5 cubicle job.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A reviewer

Very dissapointing all I had to do is read the Table of Content, which gave me a hint as to the overall substance of the book-Sure every one desires power but obtaining it through ruthless devices will squash you in the end every time-one review said it is not to be taken seriously...Are you serious? we live in a world that operates in the power of light and darkness every day- Hello, focus on the the law of sowing and reaping-and what about the law of reciprocity-power is self control- not to control others or gain the control by manipulation this is clearly deception (witchcraft) this violates one's own will- to posses influennce is to have true power ones integrity and love for one another I'd advise anyone to be up on their game for anyone they come in contact with that invests in the dark principles of these 48 laws in this book. If you must read it, eat the meat of the obvious in human nature, but make sure you spit out the bones!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

extremely comprehensive

the author does a fantastic job of illustrating each of the 48 laws through real-life examples from history of those who have ttansgressed the law and those who have observed the law, and the respective consequences of both. in addition, the summaries of the keys to power and possible reversals for each law make this book a great reference. a must have for those who would like others to do what they want...without knowing it.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Well Put Mr. Greene

Clearly its controversial but thats because you either get it or you don't. Extensive research and great examples from actual history plus it has Interpretation for each law, which makes it even easier to understand. This book also has fables to stimulate your mind and make you think. This author is sharp and entertaining. Each law makes sense and wether you like it or not, its the way the world works, there are crooks out there and this book is your best defense!!! I work in a place where there's clicks, its very social,...so when you work with all kinds of characters like I do, or any people business. Simply put, if you're around 50 people then thats 50 personalities and 50 different behaviors, and you need to be prepared and this book tells you how to handle any situations you could be faced with. Excellent book!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

1. Ready-Think 2. Get Set-Grow 3. Go-Get Rich

BE SURE TO GET A COPY OF THINK AND GROW RICH TOO! It is one of the VERY FEW books that promises to help you determine Who you want to become? What it is you want to do? When it's going to happen? Why THE MISSION IS POSSIBLE? And how you're going to attain it? All through the aid and application of the "unknown and unused knowledge and power" they termed the "Carnegie Secret."

1. Ready-Think 2. Get Set-Grow 3. Go-Get Rich

Let life come and live generously,
Host & Philosopher
Juddha Shaddai Fitzgerald
www.blogtalkradio.com/juddha-fitzgerald

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

MACHEVELLI UPDATED

Good book to read and discuss. Not sure I'd follow the leadership advice in here unless I didn't care about other poeple.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

not true POWER...

this is manipulation, control, and self-serving force... follow and lose your own soul... its value may be in showing some of the tactics the soulless may use to control and manipulate... so in this it gives wisdom and protection to the naive, but I would not follow it... thus becoming another dog in a dog eat dog world...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Must Read!

This book is amoral, hauntingly true and indispensable. It should be on the bookshelf of anyone who aspires to any level of success in any organization or profession. It should not gather dust but should be read regularly, according to a plan ¿ one law a day, for example, absorbed slowly and contemplated deeply. Author Robert Greene draws on a rich variety of sources including books so threatening that they were banned by the ancient Chinese. He cites the memoirs of Machiavelli, various con men and many others who swept aside what ought to be in order to focus on what is. It might seem that anyone who follows all of these laws in their rich, narrative detail will turn out to be a very unpleasant person. That's probably not true. We suspect, in contrast, that the person who masters the laws of power will be extremely pleasant, with winning ways and a knack for likeability, yet awe-inspiring and in control ¿ though not always obviously so. Doesn't that sound tempting?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book if you have no moral values....

I stopped reading after reviewing the 48 laws at the beginning of the book. I found it to be an unethical guideline to attain 'power'. It is not 'biblical' as one reviewer put it but just the opposite! I found no need to delve further..this was one book I could judge by its cover!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Book Of All-time

This Book is a way of getting to know how some people truly are in the world. This book gives an idea of some changes that people can make in their lives. The biggest thing is to understand the book and to not take it literally.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

SECOND BIBLE

Truth for the person looking to take true control of someone and or something in their life. This book is not for younger readers because of the fact it's impossible not to want to practice. It will give you an independent new found confidence to crush anyone or thing that gets in your way. should be labeled as the, 'SECOND BIBLE'.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The how to for Personal, Corporate, Political........Power.......

Heed the warning from the authors this book can trap one into the game we all play...and hope to win,now and down the road....power. This book gives the blue print to all the good and evil doings that man has ever done in the name of power.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very Good Read !

This book can definitely help you in your career moves. This book makes you lQQk around and you can see the stuff going on in real time.

Highly Recommended for those who are not weak of mind or spirit

I've read numerous reviews of this book and have been amused greatly by those who admonish us to give up these "immoral" pursuits. I have lived and been witness to the principles outlined in this, and Robert Greene's other works so many times but nowhere have I found these principles articulated so clearly or illustrated so well as in Robert Greene's fantastic works. If you have ever wonder why some people seem to get what they want all the time, or have once been convinced that there was more to this life than what you have achieved right at this moment whether material or otherwise, then this book will help you get it...if you have the strength of will and spirit to go out into the world and take it. Power is not immoral. Power is a means to an end. The end may very well be moral or immoral, but that's up to an individual to decide for themselves.

POWER

JUST ABSOLUTLY GREAT !!! POWERFUL

Good Read

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whats good about it

It seem this books promotes individulism and the ways znd meanz in which people can continue dissimulation over their fellow human being. long live apartheid. when did we loss our sense of humanity .