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)

Great long book, Lots of stories

Packed with stories, great book but I found myself not absorbing the information as well as I would like, being unfocused at times. Would listen again just to absorb more. If you like Mastery, this is for you 👍

Best of Greene's books

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

For readers are already familiar woth Greene's laws (the 48) and strategies (the 33), you'll find them sprinkled here and there in Mastery whenever they make sense.
This is the best of Greene because he seems to have become a master himself.

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

Fred Sanders's voice is clear and excellent even for a French listener like me.

one of my all time favorites

I have revisites this book at least 3 times. It is packed full of interesting information.

Exceptional book!!

Another great performance by Robert Green. What will he produce next?
I will keep this one and listen again.

Practical Guide on Personal Mastery

The subject of my review says it all. This is the real stuff on how to be one of the outliers. You can learn the processes, tactics, and common themes they implemented to attain to the level of genius. The assertion of the author, is that mastery is actually for everyone, and no one is uniquely a genius in the human race. The masters are not freaks of nature endowed with special and otherworldly talent. These "freaks" acted differently and applied themselves more thoroughly to the processes that would make them appear like gods in their own domain.

Great listen

Any additional comments?

This non-fiction work was laid out very well, it had many sub-stories that teach the overall theme. Overall it builds the ideas and progresses in such a way that I was not bored or confused. Plus, I learned different facts about history I did not know (e.g. history of Mozart).

love it

love it !! Will read it again no doubt. looking forward to next book. Thanks

Lifechanging!

If you could sum up Mastery in three words, what would they be?

Captivating, Enlightening, Lifechanging

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

One of those books, you come out a different person after read it

I enjoyed it.

I've read his books Power & War. The writing feels similar. Many interesting mini stories that organized into his flowing message.

Listened to this on a family drive to drown out some of the "are we there yet" moments. So I may have missed a few things- meant to connect the messages/themes. But still enjoyed the stories.

What's the purpose of your life?

The masters mentioned in this book have great stories. The BOOK makes you take a step back and analyze your life. What are you doing...What have you been doing...and what should you be doing??