The 48 Laws of Power

By: Robert Greene

Narrated by: Don Leslie

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills 3,000 years of the history of power into 48 well-explicated laws. 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") and the virtue of stealth ("Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions"); 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 listener interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.

Listen to the companion audiobook, The 33 Strategies of War.

©2000 Robert Greene and Joost Elffers (P)2007 HighBridge Company

really interesting book!

This book shows you a way of thinking that is really interesting and effective in life.

Creepy but helpful!

The narrator's voice is downright creepy. The content is sociopathic in some ways but common sense and helpful in others. All in all, I'm very glad I listened to it!

great book<br />

enjoyed it, minimum word requirement for this review is very annoying. please allow me to be as brief as I would like.

Wow.

This is sure to be an eye opener for those whom have pondered the facades and antics of powerful people and politicians.

The book that never ends...

Would you try another book from Robert Greene and/or Don Leslie?

Yes. I just purchased Seduction in hopes of it being better. Many of the reviews talk about how it's an amoral book and to be mentally prepared. I think it's a historical perspective on human nature and how it has evolved with respect to wielding power in social settings. Humanity, at its core, hasn't changed all that much, we just smooth over the application of power today to be more socially acceptable/palatable.

Any additional comments?

My only real complaint is after about law 25 I kept wondering when the book would end. I got bored because the rules began to resemble each other more and more. It almost became mundane, and I just wanted it to end. Hopefully Seduction will not be the same...

The best history textbook you can buy

History teaches people about our past. However Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power teaches much more than that. It utilizes important moments of history where certain figures acted on emotion or other forms of influence to display their power. Each law in this book is accompanied by a story where someone has used it's tenets in their past to accumulate success, wealth, or peace of mind. It can roam off at times and get a bit boring but I highly recommend this book to anybody trying to master influence or those who aspire to be a writer. If you watch "House of Cards", you can directly relate the laws in this book to the tools used by Frank Underwood in the series. 4/5

If you want to be good at being bad...

Would you consider the audio edition of The 48 Laws of Power to be better than the print version?

Did not read the print version, reading print, if you can, is always best.

If you could give The 48 Laws of Power a new subtitle, what would it be?

Being good at being bad

Any additional comments?

Very well written, interesting and a lot of historic background. You cant stop reading it.

A must read for social engineering, the only one.

I wouldnt ever suggest this book to anyone that could possibly one day be an enemy or opponent, most ruthless facts on sociology from a historical pretext. I have read it twice. let's put it this way its "how to win friends an influence people" by Dale Carnegie on Acid...

Excellent

Don leslie does an excellent job bringing Robert greens work of art to life. I Highly recommend this audio book.

Prett compelling. A bit redundant. Great narration.

The factors the author highlighted were very compelling. Well thought out. The examples however were highly concentrated in time. Would have liked to have seen some more modern examples used. Not for clarity's sake, just entertainment value.