The EXP 48 Laws of Power - The Library of the Uncommons

No cover — Robert Greene: The EXP 48 Laws of Power (Paperback, 2005, Penguin (Non-Classics))

Paperback

English language

Published Sept. 9, 2005 by Penguin (Non-Classics).

ISBN:: 978-0-7336-1497-2
OCLC Number:: 65526302

(2 reviews)

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills three thousand years of the history of power in to forty-eight well explicated laws. As attention--grabbing in its design as it is in its content, this bold volume outlines the laws of power in their unvarnished essence, synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun-tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other great thinkers. Some laws teach the need for prudence ("Law 1: Never Outshine the Master"), the virtue of stealth ("Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions"), and many demand the total absence of mercy ("Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally"), but like it or not, all have applications in real life. Illustrated through the tactics of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, P. T. Barnum, and other famous figures who have wielded--or been victimized by--power, these laws will fascinate any reader interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.

12 editions

Eszter reviewed The 48 Laws of Power (A Joost Elffers Production) by Robert Greene

Ruling the world 101

2 stars

"The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene left me feeling disgusted. I only read half of the rules and couldn't finish it. The book's writing style felt manipulative and its emphasis on strategies for gaining power through manipulation was deeply unsettling. Instead of offering positive and ethical guidance, it seemed to glorify deceit and manipulation as tools for success. Greene's approach, filled with examples of cunning and exploitation, made me uncomfortable and conflicted. While it presents historical insights, its glorification of these darker aspects of human behavior made it a challenging and distasteful read for me.

Eszter

rated it

Dec 10

Subjects

General
Personal Growth - Success
Self-Help / Success
Psychology
Self-Help