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)

Amazing

Provides a solid framework in which to position yourself, reflect on your life, and the decisions and experiences you have accrued.

Fantastic book

I saw that this book was recommended by a ton of people in 2022 and they were right. Fantastic listen. I finished it in a week and will be reading the paperback to get deeper in some topics. Must listen book.

Deserves to be read multiple times

This book is so full of great information and wisdom that I will read this again. I don’t often read things twice but I will on this one.

Classic book

Great content and life lessons here. At times it can get a little lengthy with the historical examples. Also a bit repetitive at times. But it is worth it for the great content.

Well done!

Very well written and executed. The voice narration was pleasant and matched the tone of the book. Readers will enjoy the pace of the narration without having to 2x it.

I needed to be a better individual in school and this helped

I’m surprised by how much you can apply information this book to your own life. Just like that one doctor lady who played robotics and neurology together to make more atomically, correct robot.
This helped me apply a lot of subjects into other areas of my life that I did not expect could connect to one another.

great book

this a great book, i got from him so much, I'm sure it's going to alevate my work by all means

The first book I'd recommend for inner-driven people

One of the few books that I'll keep close to me.

Very articulate language and wording, carefully used to illustrate the concepts on how to master your potential in life. The biography information on historical figures that exemplify the master traits and achievements are very helpful and engaging.

I don't particularly agree with concepts from other books of Robert Greene, but this one is spot on!

A timeless message that fits the times. 

I read reviews, but rarely write them, however I’m compelled to do so for this exceptional book. I’m 60 years old reinventing my life and ready for my next act. I’ve read a lot of books… from the Stoics, to Benjamin Franklin, to Sadhguru, to Cal Newport. A lot. Now I listen to a lot of books. This is one of the best. It’s well organized, super practical, meticulously researched and, that rarest quality of all, there is actually a BOOK’S worth of material here. Actionable material, tons of inspiration, and examples that are truly relevant. The author has a well-defined message to impart that he is passionate about and that is worth hearing. Best of all, he has done the work to really deliver value to his listeners. He has earned by respect. A lot of books these days could be blog posts. This is not one of those. Lastly, Fred Sanders is an exceptional narrator. One of the absolute best I’ve listened to. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Even though it is aimed to those decades younger than myself, it has organized my mind and helped me contextualize my life and all that I’ve learned so far and shown me a path forward. Good stuff. Highly recommended.

The history blended with the psychology

The author has a way of weaving the real stories of people into a gripping narrative and subsequent autopsy of their strengths and weaknesses. If you feel like you're on the road to mastery, this book will inspire and propel you to explore your true vocation. Stay the course.