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)

Inspiring

I can't recommend this book more. Robert Greene is truly a master at capturing the essence of all the greats. You get a detailed look at what it takes to become supremely successful and a healthy motivation boost to go along with it.

Good and very detailed Book! on path to mastery

Definitely great book. Robert definitely got some good books! I enjoyed it till the end!

Repetition of the same stories told 100x over.

Repetition of the same stories told over and over again. Could have done a better job incorporating different people and situations

creepy and humbling

I was not looking for motivation and expected psycological terms mixed in with maximizing wisdom from trivia. What I found in this book was along what I thought, but 'rehearsed understanding' put in a entertaining way and elaborated ideas that achieved the sensation of fulfilled hope! Buying it for friends and family!

- type of reviewer-
Born into adversity gave me a place. My mother always counter arguring, and father saying key wise things, gave me form. A couple decades of active experience has given me depth and texture. Now this book has unleashed me.

Prior to this book, i have come to understand a career as a system scientist. Chemistry Degree -> Real Estate -> now Truck Driver; Ive been accused by people new to meet me as unfocused. This book provided me with an unexpected sense of validation. Beyond myself the book gives a great impression of it being apart of the means for our world to grow a better command over what is good. By offering exactly what the book promises to reveal.

I see from experience how this book offers what it is titled to explain. Not to produce millions of famous people, but in part to help people realize, what really stops those with command of actuality from being on par with the greats? To be genius is to be a freak against any level that is standard, and greatly appreciate the attention given toward how this book is as much for the common person. I see this as a educational tool, increasing the quality of human expression.

Mastery.

A bit repetitive, but overall a great book. I definitely recommend it. All the success that all these geniuses (Masters) have obtained wasn't overnight or luck. It took hours and hours of working on their craft that led to that. If we devote ourselves just how these great people did we could obtain mastery as well.

A journey towards achieving mastery

Are you on a quest to master your art and ultimately your life? . If so then this book must be in your library. Learn from those that have achieved mastery.

iLove It

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

I recommend this all the time. Robert Greene structures complicated ideas and concepts in ways that are understandable - like he is taking my obfuscated thoughts and organizing them so that I can make use of my own knowledge, and gain more in the process.

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

It woke me up.

inspiring and interesting stories

it's basically a collection of exceptional stories with the message that you too should listen to your drive and align your life with it.

Long and Good!

It took some time getting through the 16hrs but it was well worth it. The pitfalls that could prevent learning and mastery were among the things that stuck with me..

1. Complacency
2. Inflexibility
3. Grandiosity
4. Conservatism
5. Impatience (the absolute worst one)
6. Dependency

All of the stories about how the different masters overcame these and pushed through allowed me to reflect on my own life up to this point.

Exceptional!

This is definitely a great book to read and practice, amidst some of it's philosophical shortcomings.