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)

An amazing look at greatness

Reading Robert Green books is like climbing a mountain. It's long, hard at times, but extremely rewarding once you reach the top.

The book starts off setting the tone by talking about the origin of human beings & culture. He even goes into the evolution of our primate ancestors to evolve stereoscopic vision, as an adaptation to living in trees, which were repurposed to aid tool making in humans. Knowing the author went this deep in grounding his future claims about human greatness was chilling.

5 stars easy.

repetitive but inspiring and personal

It did take many long walks to finish, but each session helped me reaffirm my personal pursuits in life. The core concepts are well articulated so that any type of person can relate or at least connect with. There is a lot of focus on the brain with some instructions on how to make it masterful. the insights on learning are in sync with current research. appealing delivery and pace.

An Enjoyable AudioBook - Mastery

What made the experience of listening to Mastery the most enjoyable?

The Masters are quite an inspiration and I enjoyed the listen on my daily commute.

What did you like best about this story?

Little known facts that brought the historical figures back to life.

marvelous

I was very impressed by the narrator's ability to capture the depth of every sentence

Just 2 weeks before I started learning about this book I was learning about ascended masters that lead me to this book

Never heard of the term mastery before or apprenticeship or what it meant. Or most of these successors in life. Showing the process in spite of their circumstances. This book was a great experience bringing their motivations and imagination and ways of life to the outer world all coming from their worlds within. Highly recommend anyone ready to take the next step in their life.

First audiobook

This was my first audiobook. I have many Robert Greene books and loved every one of them. This is a great way to consume material for when reading isn't applicable. I recommend this rendition to anyone seeking extensive knowledge. I'll listen to it multiple times.

Excellent insights

A very interesting and insightful compilation of short biographies with an analysis of their path to success and mastery. Breaks down the core fundamentals shared by these masters and advises how foster the same in yourself. Would absolutely recommend to anyone looking to develop themselves and learn the key components of mastery in any subject.

Recommended to anyone and everyone

Excellent narrator. Best I've experienced on Audible thus far.

This is a book every high school student should read before setting out into the world.

For those of us, like me, who have been searching for understanding of our current path in life, where to focus our time and energy, and how to make the most of the years we do have in this Earth, I could not recommend this book any higher.

Finish whatever you are reading now, but this book and read it cover to cover. Then spend a good amount of time digesting it and ruthlessly reflecting on your life. Perhaps read the book a second time. Then work diligently to confirm your vocation and either stay your course or change direction based on what you learn about yourself.

Best book of all time!!!

Robert Greene became a Master himself. 48 Laws of power is his best selling book. However, if you have read all his material. You'll know this is his best book ever!!!!

Gotta Spend Your 10,000 Hours!

Mastery

Did I like the book? Yes.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Was it fun? Yes.
Was it long? Yes. (Download the audiobook!)

Cool stories (my favorite was Ben Frankiln's), great concepts (not much new but masterfully compiled) and overall a great book that can be sumarized by simply saying: Robert Green basically gives you a long, compelling and truly convincing list of reasons why you should spend your 10,000 hours (or whatever needed) to master anything. Yes, you can master ANYTHING, but you gotta put the work and time equivalent to 10,000 hours (could be 5,000 could be 20,000 depends on what you need).