Mastery

By: Robert Greene

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

The eagerly anticipated new book from the author of the best-selling The 48 Laws of Power

What did Charles Darwin, middling schoolboy and underachieving second son, do to become one of the earliest and greatest naturalists the world has known? What were the similar choices made by Mozart and by Caesar Rodriguez, the U.S. Air Force's last ace fighter pilot? In Mastery, Robert Greene's fifth book, he mines the biographies of great historical figures for clues about gaining control over our own lives and destinies. Picking up where The 48 Laws of Power left off, Greene culls years of research and original interviews to blend historical anecdote and psychological insight, distilling the universal ingredients of the world's masters.

Temple Grandin, Martha Graham, Henry Ford, Buckminster Fuller - all have lessons to offer about how the love for doing one thing exceptionally well can lead to mastery. Yet the secret, Greene maintains, is already in our heads. Debunking long-held cultural myths, he demonstrates just how we, as humans, are hardwired for achievement and supremacy. Fans of Greene's earlier work and Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers will eagerly devour this canny and erudite explanation of just what it takes to be great.

©2012 Robert Greene (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Greene argues that mastery can come to anyone over time with dedication and application, which literally shape the brain to the task, and he gives frequent bios of famous achievers to underscore his tips and suggestions. Listeners may question his thinking and some of his advice, but Fred Sanders narrates Greene's assertions and arguments with conviction and without overselling, giving them an extra gloss of plausibility and credibility. His reading is clear and well paced. His tone is earnest and slightly intense, with an energetic edge, like that of a coach urging the listener to accomplishment, but controlled, giving an impression of class and intelligence. Greene would make a fine salesman; he and Sanders put the book across, doing their best to inspire the listener." (AudioFile magazine)

"Greene’s specialty is analyzing the lives and philosophies of historical figures like Sun Tzu and Napoleon, and extracting from them tips on how to manipulate people and situations - a cutthroat worldview that has earned him a devoted following among a like-minded readership of rappers, drug dealers and corporate executives." (The New York Times)

"Compelling." (Forbes)

An amazing listen!

Would you consider the audio edition of Mastery to be better than the print version?

This is a fantastic collection of biographies and lessons. A very pleasant education on just about everything

Exceptional

Great book. Creates a whole other level of self awareness. Would recommend to anyone who feels they are at a stand still in life.

too long , repetitive , good quality

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes , it gives general direction to your life , direct you to a purpose and makes you think twice about your next step in life

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mitsyoushi Yoka , the robotic scientist . because it represents many of us who dont really know what we should work on and have wide range of interess

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

Story telling is unique . He knows how to convince

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

Any additional comments?

it was too long , 23 hours is too much to explain the concept and the writer is repeating himself after sometime .

Outstanding Work!

I feel this book is very comprehensive and well written. It is a spellbinding account of masters through history, how they achieved their status and what you and I can do to get to mastery ourselves. I especially enjoyed his take on the importance of mentorship and the apprentice system. I can only imagine the hours of research and effort that went into creating this tome. Thank you for your tireless contribution to humanity Robert, it is clear you seek mastery in your own life.

very intelligent writing

great book! However compared to seduction or power from the same author , it's my least favorite.

Pretty good, similar to ...

I enjoyed this one ... good writing and great read. The biographical stories were fascinating and I found the switching of topics fascinating.

The only problem I had with this book, is that the underlying premise (that there are different stages of mastery) seemed lost at times. Also, there was a tendency to wax on and give different advice: for example, the author described the frantic energy and creative spark that deadlines can create for us ... then later describes that creative mastery should be done slowly.

Overall, though ... great read and great narrator. If you want to read something similar, try "Talent is Overated" ... this book has a similar message, similar biographies, but has a more focused premise (that all great performers required about 10k hours of concentrated practice to achieve greatness).

Another well-written and conceived Greene title

This is standard Robert Greene work - and that's a good thing. Like "The 48 Laws of Power", he breaks down his topic (Mastery) into bite-sized chunks and then provides interesting glimpses and interpretations of historical (and current) events in light of the particular topic at hand. His stories are interesting and his points fascinating.

There are things in this book for everyone. I wish I'd read this book when I was sixteen. I'll probably give it to my daughter to read when *she* is sixteen. If your ambition is mastery of *anything*, I recommend this book!

mastery

Didn't disappoint ly call Robert Greene's books. A must read or listen to everyone who is interested in accomplishing something in life

inspirational

Very captivating. A delight to listen to. Perfect for a lost soul looking to find their true passion.

The most insightful and inspirational book

The most insightful and inspirational book I've read in a long time. Will probably listen to it over and over again.