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)

Yikes

What disappointed you about Mastery?

Yikes! I can appreciate the tenants behind the book, but having to retread whole sections of earlier passages (verbatim) made me feel like I was the $10 I spent on it. I can save you your money: 1.find a thing you love 2. Do the thing ( even if it gets hard) 3. Don't let others be a negative influence over you 4. Look to other people who did the thing you love ( famous or not ) to help spur you on to your goal of mastering the thing.

At the end of the book , Greene reiterates all the biographies that are spread throughout the book. Why? I've read them all before?! That was silly. I expected so much more.

Focus on passion=Less stress and more success

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

Clarity of purpose

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Being great at something and to truly arrive at being great takes 10,000 hours or more. This is a message that is not being presented in today's age. Students think that they can cheat their way to greatness or be distracted by their phones and think that they can delve deep enough into a subject matter to earn a great job. Shortcuts are preached by many in education and politics. We are not meant to multi-task. Success is not a quick-fix away.

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

Fred Sanders is the best narrator of a Robert Greene book. He tells the stories well and with just enough passion to keep the listener engaged. I wish that the other books were also available unabridged and read by the same performer. The reader of the abridged Power and Seduction books was too smarmy and took away the credibility of the text.

If you could give Mastery a new subtitle, what would it be?

Master your passion, or be mastered by others.

Any additional comments?

This is a great book and I will read it again. I also purchased the print copy. It is easy to become sidetracked by the media and all of the various forms of entertainment and news that is "so important." Even at work, it is easy to major in the minor things and fall prey to the tyranny of the urgent. This book encourages a person to focus on one thing. To do that separates you out from the 99.999% who dabble and waste their potential and their lives never accomplishing anything worthwhile. What sounds like sacrifice actually is a gift of time and clarity of mind. It takes less time to prioritize when there is a singular goal and less time is needed when the goal is so clear.

Too much emphasis on evolution

The author's world view is obvious and comes from the presupposition that the universe and all that it contains evolved by chance from some undefined matter. The existence of a Creator is ignored or discounted. Given these presuppositions, creativity is reduced to an accident or happenstance. I am probably not alone in seeing creativity as evidence of a Creator, who created me in His image.

I also think this book, for me, is too long and complicated to listen to. I would have to read and re-read, go back to refresh my memory. This isn't easily done in an audio book. I didn't finish.

I also wondered why he chose the masters he did.

All this said some of the steps to mastery are very interesting and are in step with what I have read elsewhere. 10,000 hours of practice, for example. Internships and finding a mentor are all good advice.

Very Disappointed

Would you try another book from Robert Greene and/or Fred Sanders?

no thanks...

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

yes

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

principles are great, but this author has no heart for people. success at the cost of any relationship is not the way people should live - that's the reason this world is in the state that it is today

Any additional comments?

Robert Greene doesn't practice what he preaches... read the reviews of the 40 laws and you'll see that he doesn't practice them himself... what kind of a person writes and recommends things that he doesn't practice himself?

Classic Robert Greene

I haven't listened to or read another author that tries to teach life lessons that are relevant today through historic stories from the past. Is he always successfull? No, not always. Is it entertaining and will you learn some cool stories about great masters of the past (think Mozart, Da Vinci)? Yes!

This book may or may not change your life. The lessons are great and the stories are interesting, however, as with all these self help types of books, you will only see change if you apply it. Fred Sanders does a great job narrating this book (one of the better Narrations I've listed to on a Robert Greene book).

Must read

The books gives a big incentive to create. Moreover, reading this books definitely has a positive impact on the mood!
This is definitely one of my favorite books now.
Really enjoyed this audio version.

Great book

Goes over common characteristics of historical figures that mastered something in their lives and explains how to take those traits and apply them to whatever you do in life

Amazing

I changed my life because of this book. I was trough some depressing times but thanks to Mastery I became more productive.

Please write another book Mr. Greene.

I love this author. Great book. Robert Greene is truly a Master Author and researcher.

Its starts of really well but becomes repetitive.

The book started of really well, however it became repetitive. 16 hours is far too long. 10 hours would of been great. he lost me at 12.5 hours He repeats some stories at least three times. What i took from the book, anything you want to be great at you have to work work work.

An inspirational insight into success

This is an entertaining and insightful examination into what it takes to stand out above the crowd. It helps you to realise that the success of geniuses like Mozart, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michael Faraday wasn't handed to them on a plate and that their natural talents alone did not secure their places in history. The secret ingredients were the love of their subject, their attitude and their determination to succeed despite constant obstacles. This book has helped me to see setbacks and challenges in a different light - often, they are blessings in disguise. Sometimes, they are the very key to success itself.

Read this when you're 21!

Where does Mastery rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best Audible books I've listened to

What other book might you compare Mastery to, and why?

It's unique researching high achievers that are not all well known and better for it.

What about Fred Sanders’s performance did you like?

His passion made me want to carry on listening

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

10,000 hours to Mastery

Any additional comments?

I loved this book. I particularly enjoyed learning about some of the lesser well know Masters and have been inspired to read and research some of their material. I have learned a great deal. I was left feeling this book should be read in your 20's and there was a sense that by 40 (as I am) it's a little too late!! Nonetheless it is a great read.

character building!

First of all I generally don't write reviews but in the case of this book I am making an exception! if you are like me and looked for this book on the recommendation of Elliot Hulse you will not be disappointed! it will get you on the way to becoming "the strongest version of yourself" the main problem i have with this audio-book is that Fred Sanders (i have never heard of him before is he famous in america?) voice get on my nerves but that's probably more of a personal thing! so all in all if you want a book for self improvement or even just to see what other peoples ideas on self improvement are! (like me) its worth ago right?

Not a revelation

Any additional comments?

More interesting for the biographies than any insight into mastery and self development. Can literally be summed up as 'work hard at what you enjoy and are best at'. Really wanted to like this book but finished a little disappointed at the lack of developed insight.

Marvelous insight into some of the greats minds

Really enjoyed this from start to finish. Some brilliant stories on past and present masters of their fields. The narrative of trying to apply your own mind to do the same I took a bit tongue in cheek. I'm definitely not Mozart..

Great and life changing

It is the book that help u get skills life and jobs done. Finding the thing motivates u from feep within your heart.

Amazing, Enlightening and Motivating

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

Yes, I read the book, and listened to the audio book twice and plan to do so again. The stories of the masters' lives are truly inspiring and I believe everyone should know their stories.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mastery?

Michael Faradays story really resonated with me

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Martha grahams story was a very unlikely one which shows you can achieve once you trust yourself and follow your instincts

Brilliant

A true insight into mastering any field. Recommended for anyone wanting to develop their inclinations. Lessons not easily learned from people around you.

An inspirational read for the aspiring Master

Robert Greene presents valuable principles of Mastery and allows the reader (or listener) to absorb these principles with relevant examples throughout history.

Thoroughly enjoyed! Well read too!

Compelling and Inspiring

This is not a dry textbook-style, step-by-step guide to mastery. It is far more engaging than I thought it could be and the narrator does a magnificent job.