Art of Seduction

An Indispensible Primer on the Ultimate Form of Power

By: Robert Greene

Narrated by: Joseph Powers

Length: 22 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's Summary

Robert Greene's previous best seller, The 48 Laws of Power, distilled 3,000 years of scheming into a guide People praised as "beguiling... literate... fascinating" and Kirkus denounced as "an anti-Book of Virtues."

In Art of Seduction, Greene returns with a new instruction audiobook on the most subtle, elusive, and effective form of power because seduction isn't really about sex. It's about manipulating other people's greatest weakness: their desire for pleasure.

Synthesizing the work of thinkers including Freud, Diderot, Nietzsche, and Einstein, reporting the enticing strategies of characters throughout history, The Art of Seduction is a comprehensive guide to getting what we want any way we can.

©2001 Robert Greene and Joost Elffers. (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Incomplete Picture - Take with a grain of salt

There's certainly value to be had here - analyzing different personality types and identifying if someone is trying to manipulate you.

A recurring theme of the book, however, seems to be that you put on an act and make sure they never figure out that you're manipulative and insincere. If you're interested in more win-win people skills books without the risk of being discovered as manipulative (because the praise is both sincere and strategic), I would recommend How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and also How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing With People by Les Giblin (both available as great books on Audible). Though dated, the principles remain true.

Another issue I have is he states that certain qualities must "appear" to be such and such, or that certain qualities simply cannot be faked, without instruction on how to sincerely develop these qualities. When you sincerely develop qualities there is no risk of being "discovered" because you genuinely have them. A great book on this is Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz (though the audiobook is a bit lackluster - I would recommend getting the book itself).

Opinions on manipulation aside, there are many examples in the book which point to works of fiction as evidence rather than real world application. Other parts give extreme examples of famous figures and celebrities possessing these qualities. Examples of modern day application for the average person seem to be virtually nonexistent, and the whole thing comes off as someone who studies something more than they practice it (for example, learning from someone who writes about professional basketball as opposed to learning from a LeBron James).

Food for Thought

I got this book because I've noticed a few of the men that I've dated running a stupid game and I was curious where in the world they had gotten the idea that such behavior would help them to achieve their desired outcome.

I have never had any trouble getting dates, but I have been curious about the mechanics of attraction. What is it that makes people attracted to one person and not another? This book offered some thought-provoking answers to that question.

As far as this book's usefulness as a "how to" guide, it scored pretty low for me. This author isn't citing studies or statistics. He's mostly using characters in works of fiction written by men in centuries past to illustrate his point. It doesn't take a genius to see that the author is using the very strategies of seduction described in this book to seduce the reader into thinking that it's good.

Finally, it should be noted by every reader that some of these suggestions are truly rapey. Anything more than the lightest touch could actually get you criminal charges. Be careful, and perhaps consider whether you actually need to get laid That badly.

I have been seduced

It's not at all what I expected, and for that I am glad. I imagined it might be some pick up artist babble, but what I got instead was a devilishly insightful glance into an essential part of human nature. Greene does not sugarcoat anything, and unveils the secrets of not only romantic seduction, but manipulation of almost every kind. The numerous archetypes of seducers and anti-seducers are explained in lovely detail with many historical and fictional examples to boot. I found myself falling for the book as if I was being seduced myself. The stories and examples throughout not only give great manifestation to the technique discussed, but also have rejuvenated a spirit of wonder and excitement within me. The narration is clear and wonderfully read in a perfect cadence. I cannot recommend this book enough. For someone like myself who has always yearned to grasp more and more power in the realm of social dynamics, this a goldmine.

I've bought several copies.

My copies of this book keep disappearing. It's a great book. I read it again ever couple years and always learn something.
A book which enlightens your thoughts on sales men and con men alike.

I have had my eyes opened

What a stuff up I have made of my own seductions. What I have missed, what time I have wasted, how cynical I have become. What a fool and not only in love. Business, work, career, family, any relationship. This book is worth the study and when I say study I don't mean listen to and forget. Get your notepad out and start working. Will probably change your life.

A history of seduction, now with 10% more honesty

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Some of the examples given can be perceived as creepy and or primitive (well, because they come also from a more primitive stage of society).
It would have helped to try to ease the reader into these examples so that there isn't an automatic rejection of the interesting information within them.

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the realistic view of people and seduction that is presented by the book.
I also enjoyed the thoroughness with which each case was presented, with explanation and plenty of examples.

What about Joseph Powers’s performance did you like?

The narration is really nice and engaging, with a hint of complicity that makes you feel a little bit of a naughty boy. It was really entertaining and funny at times.

Was Art of Seduction worth the listening time?

The whole experience was entertaining in and of itself, and somehow challenging to one's concept of reality, especially for people who don't know much about the topic or come to it from a more naive perspective.

Any additional comments?

I think this book has to be taken for what it is, which is an introduction to the reader to what the author considers is the world of seduction.
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the content of this book as "outdated" or "not applicable" to today's world as many recent political results have shown, we seem to be more than ever vulnerable to cheap seduction tactics. By ignoring this important part of the human experience, we only make ourselves easier targets.

Life is easier now

I’ve noticed after reading this book I have had the ability to seduce anyone in a sexual/non sexual way. My dating/work/social life has improved. If I wasn’t atheist I would think I sold my soul for this kind of power. Great read.

Worth every penny

Inspiring and factual reference for real life execution. Requires practice to develop into the desired seducer but the material is complete for you to work with.

Realization of who each of us are.

It opened up my mind to a reality that labels who we are based on our actions and the result of what it is we do in anything we do there is a cause and effect regardless if intended or not. Wow.

good one to hear

i heard it over and over and over again..to understand each and every chapter...loved it...

a psychopaths guide to human relationships

I can't deny my fascination with the book. However, it is hard to draw the line between cold pragmatism, and downright calculating psychopath behaviour. Thus, listening to this gave me cold shivers down my spine.
I kind of wonder how Greene gets these insider thoughts of his many characters.( He mentions journals, and that makes sense ofc)
He makes it sound like he was the best friend of Lord Byron, Napoleon, as well as some fictional characters, who confided the details of their live lives in him.

very good

I would recommend this to anyone. A real insight into the subtle complexities of human attraction

A Bible of all non-coercive persuasion

The Art of Seduction may also be termed the art of persuasion. Either way, it follows a similar tract to Greene’s other works, however, this is a Bible of all forms of non-coercive persuasion. In many ways, very similar to both the 48 Laws of Power and The Laws of Human Nature, however, this uses several examples of Cassanova, Don Juan, Rakes and other seducers, along with modern examples of political persuasion.
While the title may hint at sensual seduction, the book essentially concerns all forms of seduction and persuasion. Greene has many themes he likes to return to, and often revisits Cassanova, Dangerous Liaisons, along with other favourites of his including John F Kennedy, a recurrent theme throughout his work.
The book is informative and thought provoking, the only criticism is that the examples used to illustrate the laws could perhaps be shorter, as one gets lost in the details before getting to the punchline.
Overall a decent work, though very similar to Greene’s other works, but nonetheless plenty of food for thought. The book deserves a decent ranking due to the variety of examples and depth of analysis, regardless of however much unnecessary elaboration is given.
The narration by Joseph Powers keeps a decent pace and one does not find themselves getting bored or lost among the narration.

Awesome book

Absolutely incredible book, Amazing narrative too. Read it thrice now and it's definitely a must read.

Interesting, but not quite what I was looking for

Interesting, but not quite what I was looking for. Well written, has interesting stories, but couldn't maintain me interested. It is not my type of book, I prefer personal development books, rather than historical books. I respect everyone that likes this book.

Really good and helpful, but it could be a little bit shorter.

I found the book really good, informative and helpful, however, it could be a little bit shorter.

The author spends a very long time (roughly half the book) explaining the personalities of the different types of seducers - it almost made me consider abandoning the book. This can definitely be shorter.

Apart from that it was pretty good, thanks!

let's be honest here...

Okay people this book is about personal seductions. Others allude to its political value and so does Greene every now and then, but nowhere in the book do I recall it in context. Is it a bit... strange (for want of a better word)... to read a book about seducing people? Perhaps. But that's just an opinion anyways and what I'd call a jealous one. Greene as always provides plenty of advice, examples and guidelines (much to much to chew all at once of course) that make the read entertaining. I can't say I've put much of the book to use yet, but... there is a fun and exciting element to the idea, to whatever extent you plan to follow it through, that may just be enough to spice up life when it starts to drag.

The must Read !!!

This book is like the seduction bible, must reqd for everyone not just love

It's good but a bit too long and repetitive...

It's good but a bit too long and repetitive for my liking. In addition, the examples and the styles of seduction that it promotes are very old fashioned, and I doubt they would work in today's environment.

Great strategy, a lot to remember though.

This is a great book on the art of seduction but it's a bit too long for me. I believe that the same message can be convened in 1/3 of the time spent reading or listening to it.