Listen to the companion audiobook, The 33 Strategies of War.
©2000 Robert Greene and Joost Elffers; (P)2007 HighBridge Company
Avid audiobook listener since 2007. I've enjoyed thousands of hours while jogging, driving, and working around the house.
"Listen at High Speed"
The production is high quality, but the guy talks soooo sloooowwwlllllyyyy that you can easily listen to it at 5x speed and understand every word.
As for content, Greene put a LOT of work into this and it really shows. The stories really help lock the laws into your memory.
But there is a ton of stuff in the book that the audiobook leaves out. The way it is organized, it would be impossible not to.
My advice? Get the book as well. You can find it online cheap and it has even more stories and insight to share.
Was the audiobook version worth the money? Yes.
Was it fun to listen to? Yes.
Do I recommend it to you? Only if you want to learn about power in all its gory details. If you're squeamish about the underbelly of wielding power, this is not for you.
I am an avid listener. I listen between 75-100 hours per month on my iPhone: 60% fiction to 40% non-fiction.
"Engaging in a Machiavellian Way"
No. I would just peruse the 48 laws. They are listed and easy to review.
There is a lot to get through if you read this book conventionally. Listening gives you a fighting chance to get through them all.
Sparknotes for Machiavelli
"We All Have A Lot More Power Than We Realize!"
When I first read this book a couple years ago, it was so apropos for were I was in my life as I was going through a career change myself. The book helped me to realize that harboring deep inside of me, was a lot of untapped potential and power that I've yet to utilize. Ever since then, I've made it a point to implement as many of the 48 Laws of Power into my daily life as I possibly can. If nothing else, this book is a great "get off first base and start rounding the bases" book for anyone who feels that their life could use a little bit of a kickstart.
I thought that the author, Robert Greene, kept the book on track, simple, easy to follow and matter of factual. Anyone who's willing to implement even 5 or 10 (you'll quickly find that The Laws naturally flow into each other and build upon each other) of these Laws of Power into their lives, won't be able to help themselves from making better decisions, and taking more control over their lives. Yet, at the same time, living a very fulfilling existence as we all ought to do.
I highly recommend this book as a great reference tool for your "toolbox kit of life"!
"Not a how to guide .."
After the first few laws I wasn't sure what I got myself into .. My first thought was "What kind of person would enjoy listening to this garbage". Then I came back to read the reviews and I found several other people who thought the same thing.
Either way I found myself listening a little bit more. The more I listened the more I found myself enjoying this audiobook.
Why do I say this? Because I don't see this as a "how to guide". I see this as two things 1. A history lesson .. If you dont learn from the past you are bound to repeat it.
2. YES some of these laws are sick and manipulative, but welcome to the real world. There are people that think like this.
Final thought:
The 48 Laws of power is a step by step how to guide, you have to listen between the lines and realize that the world is not all puppy dogs and rainbows. This book shows you how the world is and you can learn from the lessons presented.
"Worth Reading"
The 48 Laws of Power makes quite a lot of sense as told and understood by the author. Greene references 12th - 18th century figures to illustrate his points and he does it well.
"Dark, literate, historical"
A back-story of politics personal and public. Abundant secondary references thrilling for the history buff, less so for others.
"love it"
i listen this book. And loved it, i will admitt not all of what the book had to offer made sense to me, but it really hits home. Most book hint at a point, but this book went all the way it tells you step by step how to follow each law. Try it!!!!
"I've wasted 9 hours of my life. I want them back."
Nothing but a broken MP3 player could have made this a better listening experience. This is 25% history which was ok and 75% how to be a liar and over all bad person. If teaching yourself how to stroke your ego while stepping on and hurting everyone as you go is your goal, this book is perfect!
"Liked it"
The 48 laws of power is a very interesting book. Sure there is a devious spin on each example. Take that with a grain of salt. With that said, the distilled patterns of human nature do offer a thought-provoking perspective to view the world. I enjoyed the history as well.
"Very Wise Advice"
Everything he suggests hinges on self-control, particularly control of emotions, and since an overwhelming majority of the population is incapable or unwilling to do attain to such discipline, this book is unlikely to become the Machiavellian tool of the 21st century.
Ironically, most of what is suggested in this book can be found in the Bible, old and new testament. Mainly Proverbs and the new testament "fruit of the Spirit."
So if one strips away the devious, even evil intent of what is proposed here, what is left is much the same philosophy that is found in the Bible. Discretion of speech, self-control, show humility when appropriate, boldness when appropriate, not to make enemies with your harsh words, not to hold grudges or live in the past, even meekness is proposed in the book.