Mastery

By: Robert Greene

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 16 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

A Masterpiece

This book was absolutely fascinating. It is filled with varied and insightful descriptions of historical and contemporary masters. Rarely have I found a book so packed with quality information while remaining engaging throughout. Fred Sanders is a wonderful narrator and the pacing was perfect.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone wishing to discover and pursue their own greatest potential.

inspirational

I loved this book. I just started my training for a new management job and used this book as a supplement to my training.

Must be part of every high school curriculum.

I wish I read Robert Greene much earlier. A must read for all peoples of this world. As a neuroscientist, I recognize a lot of ideas in this book.
The only thing he gets a little off are Rodriguez's BFM during aerial combat. Other than that this book is a treasure for generations to come.

Greene clearly conveys the truth of mastery, but

many of the specific details underlying it completely wrong. Follow his large-scale advice but ignore much of what he said about almost every subject including Neuroscience, psychology, creativity & his own speculations about these topics. Also ignore his completely pathological paranoia about the people and his Machiavellian view of the world.

man, that was good

he's done it again, amazing book, story and everything, also good narrator which makes it sound natural

Great foundation book to add to your journey

Many of the lessons I learned through out the book has been applied in my life consciously and unconsciously. Looking back decisions I made led me to the outcomes I foretold myself to come.

A must read...

This book has opened my mind up to the limitless potential on my mind and body, it has definitely inspired me to put forth more effort into my studies on getting a better understanding of life as a whole...

Great book!

Must read! Will inspire you & challenge you to think outside the book! In-depth chapters, that will help anyone grow.

Amazing book, worth re-listening to!

I loved this book so much, my day to day awareness and creative thought process has been heightened so much throughout my workday and in my personal life. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to master a set of skills.

a different perspective

I have already studied some of these people on history and he gave me a different perspective on them