Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this multi-million-copy New York Times bestselleris the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control – from the author of The Laws of Human Nature
In the book that People magazine proclaimed “beguiling” and “fascinating,” Robert Greene and Joost Elffers have distilled three thousand years of the history of power into 48 essential laws by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz and also from the lives of figures ranging from Henry Kissinger to P.T. Barnum.
Some laws teach the need for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), others teach the value of confidence (“Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness”), and many recommend absolute self-preservation (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally”). Every law, though, has one thing in common: an interest in total domination. In a bold and arresting two-color package, The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game.
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Customer Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars 10,661
4.8 out of 5 stars 4,861
4.7 out of 5 stars 11,225
4.8 out of 5 stars 16,476
4.7 out of 5 stars 84,298
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ASIN : B0024CEZR6
Publisher : Penguin Books
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : September 1, 2000
Edition : 1st
Language : English
File size : 1.4 MB
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 864 pages
ISBN-10 : 9781101042458
ISBN-13 : 978-1101042458
Page Flip : Enabled
Grade level : 12 and up
Reading age : 18 years and up
MBS –
May Cause Strategic Thinking (Proceed with Caution)
Before reading The 48 Laws of Power, my approach to navigating the social and professional world was… let’s call it “optimistically naive.” I figured being nice and hoping for the best was a solid strategy. Then this book landed on my desk, and my brain did a complete 180.Robert Greene doesn’t pull any punches. This isn’t a feel-good guide to making friends; it’s a deep, unflinching look at the dynamics of power throughout history. Distilling centuries of human interaction, strategy, and occasional backstabbing into 48 concise “laws,” the book is like getting a crash course in the less-talked-about aspects of human nature.It’s filled with fascinating historical anecdotes, from cunning courtiers to ruthless emperors, illustrating each law with vivid examples. While some of the laws might seem Machiavellian at first glance, the value isn’t in becoming a villain, but in understanding the game so you can navigate it more effectively and protect yourself.Reading this book felt like gaining a new superpower â the ability to recognize power plays and understand motivations that were previously invisible to me. It’s incredibly insightful and, frankly, a little bit thrilling to read about the high-stakes games of the past.If you’re ready to move beyond simple pleasantries and understand the deeper currents of influence and strategy, The 48 Laws of Power is an absolutely essential read. It’s challenging, sometimes unsettling, but ultimately incredibly empowering. Just be prepared to see the world, and the people in it, a little differently. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to be a more strategic player in life.
Polarbear –
I think this is one of those books every thinking person should own.
This is a great book. I’ve been reading it for myself and to my kid. He isn’t necessarily old enough to worry about leading an army, seducing a French noble girl, or pleasing the Emperor of China, but the lessons in this book are worth learning. I fear this book probably gets a bad rap as a cynical, Machiavellian practical manual for being a bad guy, but the lessons in this book do apply to nearly all aspects of your life, even if you find some of the approaches and reasoning objectionable. It’s better to learn these rules from others’ experiences, rather than your own blunders. One thing I love about this book is the historical examples used to justify the rules. The author pulls from all over the world’s cultures to show you how politicians, business men, military commanders, politicians, and royals played the game of power. It helps bring history to life and makes historical figures more approachable. The sections on P.T. Barnum, for instance, made me laugh at his audacious showmanship. The sections on Louis the XIV brought him to life as more than just some old French guy with a cane and a blue cape lined with ermine (the Hyacinthe Rigaud portrait). The proverbs and anecdotes and quotes sprinkled throughout the margins also add another layer of context to the book. I like seeing how these rules are essentially universal to the human experience and they’re found in Aesop and African proverbs and Chinese anecdotes and Shakespeare, etc.I believe everyone ought to read this book, even if you don’t personally like the lessons it contains. Additionally, I recommend getting the hardcover version. For me, this book is one I’ll be proudly adding to my library for re-reading and I like the larger format the hardcover version offers.
CHZ𥠖
OP
I used to be a chump. I was tired of living under a rock being underestimated by everyone including my wack job of a parrot. I found this book and gave it a shot and boy oh boy! The knowledge kicked in like a 12 gauge slug that penetrated my frontal lobe. Almost rewriting my whole being and purpose on this land we call âEarthâ. I went from being the manipulatedâto being the manipulator! My aura went through the roof! L rizz to Best Rizz Master of the yeaâCENTURY. I messed with their mental so much I convinced them. I used to be maidenless sleeping alone in the dark regretting life decisions thinking about why the girls would always leave me on read or simply ghost me for no good reason but now, I got a whole ROSTER tryna grip this pipe. Now the roles are reversed! These broads are now the clods of misery. You can utilize these laws for anything I mean ANYTHING. This book is too powerful and needs to require a background check and purchased at your nearest gun store. Trust meâ¦if you use the 48 laws just right. The pick up line âDitch the wimp and get with a pimpâ will work every time. Need a raise?-Thisâll help with that. Need a promotion?-well with this piece of literature, you can convince your Boss that heâs just a sack of rubbish garbage and is a one trick pony. Youâll make him believe his new âgivenâ reality is true and heâll resign on the spot. Thanks Robert Greeneâ¦now I can finally fulfill my life to itâs ultimate potential. Itâs likeâIâm using cheat codes but Iâm not, Iâm not because now⦠Iâm the one who knocks. Iâmâ¦Iâm Him.âCHZð¥19:53 Wednesday January 15 2025
Boston –
Solid Book!
The book is in perfect condition. Iâm looking forward to reading it. It came up in my algorithm and I bought it. Iâll update it after reading!
T. J –
Rekommenderas varmt, underbar Bok, Tack Säljaren o Amazon.
Augusto Assalin –
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Sudhakar kadiyala –
Every one of us secretly desire to hold Power.As human beings we always wish to have our way and expect otherâs to follow us and holding power is the best means in having our way.It instills fear or awe in others,making most of the job easier, and the great feeling of wow! â as nothing can be more stronger or powerful .The 48 laws of Power by Robert Greene is all aboutgaining Power by various means and enjoying its fruits .The laws are defined by taking key points from the ancient past to that of the modern day world, where the laws mentioned are followed by various references to the people who attained power through different means viz fighting wars,ruling ruthlessly,conning successfully,leaving a mark of their own through painting,writing and so on.These references help to understand the laws of gaining power in different ways as well as act as a tip to the readers in guarding against falling prey to scams and tricks.The laws while dwelling deep in to the human nature,brings out various aspects of manipulation,selfishness,deceit,treachery,back stabbing,masking the real intent ,conning,tricking and many more things.These laws act as a tool in understanding the mind games being played in different situations at different places by different people.On hindsight when I look into my past,I personally felt the laws giving me the clarity,much to my satisfaction and perhaps may aid in my future decisions.The stories like that of Arnold and Slack (P158,L21) or Sheriff Richardâs and Lustig (the conman (P74,L9))are not only informative but much fun to read.and laugh.A book that increases your knowledge of power,subtle actions of the people around and their nuanced meaning behind it.Ultimately though the laws reflect individuals personal benefit and even show the âbasic instinctsâ , of humans in seeking power but also enrich the readers with knowledge of power I.e the power to see through the masked faces of others and act .A book that fills the readerâs with admiration and respect for the writer for the enormous amount of information and the profound meaning behind each law. A âmust-readâ, book to be read multiple times to understand the Power. and finally,quoting one of my favourite quote mentioned in the book (L19,pg-138) â âWhen you meet a swordsman.draw your sword.Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet.
I actually received a different book to the one I ordered. I did make the decision to keep it rather than go through the process of returning it –
Only two chapters in and am enthralled
Jessica –
I recommend reading 1 law per day, as there is A Lot to digest, and you need to absorb what your read before going to the next chapter.