The 48 Laws of Power. Some play with power and lose it-all by a fatal mistake. Some go too far, others not far enough. And yet others make all the right moves and are able to draw power unto themselves with an almost superhuman dexterity.
The Art of Seduction. Offers advice on how to conduct a successful seduction by discussing different character types and strategies and providing examples of seductive persons from history and literature.
In The 33 Strategies of War , Robert Greene has crafted an essential addition to this ruthless and unique series. Richly illustrated with examples from history, including the absurdity and intellect of everyone ranging from Napoleon to Shaka the Zulu, Margaret Thatcher, to Lord Nelson, Hannibal to Ulysses S.
Read the offensive strategies you need to maintain the ambition and negotiate from a strength point or the defensive systems meant to help you respond to critical situations and evade unwinnable wars.
He uses examples from military history, but he also includes stories from people that have excelled in their chosen professions. Alfred Hitchcock, Muhammad Ali, Roosevelt. This book has applications anyone that has to deal with other people can use everyday. Office politics can cause a great deal of stress, this book gives you tools to handle the situations we are all faced with.
Very good book. Packed full of good info. I was intrigued by this book. I already own a concise version of the 48 Laws of Power, written by the same author. However, for some reason I never really got too taken with his previous book, which I shall revisit. I had a strong suspicion that this book would be essentially a rehash of the aforementioned 48 Laws, but the militaristic subject matter appealed. Well, I can confirm that this book definitely stands on it's own as an individual work.
In appearance, it is very inviting, beautifully designed with a great cover design and highlighted extracts of text on the borders of most pages drawn largely from classic military writings throughout the ages. This book has a sinfully charismatic quality about it, like a rich slice of chocolate cake that beckons in the most tempting manner.
However, beyond the design and look of the book, it definitely has meat on the bones. The mainstream subject matter is how someone could draw on lessons from military history and strategy to employ in everyday life. There are finely researched stories from throughout the ages that cite various approaches, ploys, plots, victories, defeats, as well as some non-military examples, such as Alfred Hitchcock. Now I am not entirely sure that this is a self-improvement book as such. It is not exactly the same type of work as Covey's 7 Habits of Effective People, but I find it so much more enjoyable.
I have plenty of time for those who do not push the warm and fluffy approach to life that demands we smile at people in the elevator to spread our positive energy. Now I'm not advocating an opposite approach or use of the strategies outlined in this book, but my point is that the perspective is ironically refreshing.
The author obviously draws strongly on a familiarity with classical studies to summarise stories of ancient battles and conflicts, as well as such influential figures as Clausewitz, through to more recent conflicts. Again, I am not quite sure what kind of book this is, as it could not be looked on as a pure work of military history, either. However, whatever kind of strange animal it is, it is stylish, darkly charismatic and cynical.
If the 48 Laws of Power was a book made to sit on the bookshelves of our wealthy businessman uncle, then the 33 Strategies of War is the kind of book that would be found in the reading room of our Brigadier grandfather, albeit with a modern-day feel to it.
I certainly enjoyed this book and it added to my perspectives on military strategy. For example, Sun Tzu advocates an approach of always allowing a desperate enemy force a route to escape - or they will fight to the death. This book spun that perspective, advocating that to create a sense of desperation, urgency and drive in ourselves, that sometimes we should put ourselves on the "death ground", with no exits so that we are forced to rise up and overcome the challenge.
Highly motivational. To begin, I just want to say that the Art of War is an excellent book and one that ahs historical value. I only mention this because many people have disregarded 33 strategies of war because it similar to the art of war. The 33 strategies of war may have the same tactics as the Art of war, but the stories and legends of importantant historical figures, including humble figures, will capture your soul and help understand the capabilities of what a motivated person can do with these tactics.
It is a more sophisticated book than the ar of war. Each chapter is a new strategy to learn. Each chapter uses important figures such as napoleon, Eisenhower, Churchill etc, to illustrate each tactic. In addition, it describes the strategies thoroughly and precise. Buy this book if your interested in gaining an advantage to your social life, career, and life tiself.
This book can have a major impact in a persons life, but givin to the wrong person can be dangerous! Being a lover of history I think this is a great read. I enjoyed Greene's 48 Laws of power mainly because of all the historical examples he used.
This one was no different in that regard. However, I would caution anyone who considers this some kind of manual for competition and conflict. When reading some of the illustrations I often got the feeling the people involved were more lucky than calculated. Also, there are so many things that can not be controlled by one person. It would be foolish to think a person could refer to this book and get detailed direction on what to do in a situation. Knowing which 'law' to apply in a given situation is not automatic.
For me, it is a great read that provides some mental stimulation. If you love history like I do then check this out. If you are looking for some kind of blueprint to wage 'war' on others you probably have already lost and do not know it. As with all of Robert Greene's books, you have to read it with an open mind. They enlighten you and give you a taste of the world of power. These books can be used to protect you or take advantage of others.
As with any form of knowledge, it's a matter of what you as an individual choose to do with it. This book was very exciting for me because I am quite the history buff, and I also like short and precise quotes that can say so much in just one sentence.
This book will name a strategy in one quote and you'll think, wow that really makes sense. By reading that one strategy you can learn a great lesson and apply it to your life and reap the benefits. But the author gives us historical examples which apply to each strategy he writes about, so as to confirm the point he's making for each one.
The order of the strategies is important as well, for in the end you are led to an interesting conclusion. The strategies you'll learn in this book will help you in the work place, and will also help you in sports. Whatever goals you aim to reach, the wisdom to be gained from this book will help you reach them.
Perhaps when you wake up in the morning, or before stepping out to go to work, or before going to bed. Don't read the books cover to cover in a few sittings. Let yourself absorb their lessons. Reversal: Read lightly but pay attention.
Don't think yourself above these strategies. Greene presents to a modern audience lessons from the classics of human literature. Do not dismiss the wisdom of ages lightly. The lessons of the past have already been paid for. Do not reinvent the wheel. Reversal: Do not insist on applying a specific strategy to a specific problem.
Let a situation choose its own solution. Do not force a square peg in a round hole. When asking someone for something, for instance when emailing Greene hoping for a reply, offer them something of value to them. Reversal: Accept that anyone asked for something can refuse. Robert Greene receives too much email to reply to all messages. Image: A library full of other books. Vincent Poirier, Dublin Yes, yes. I used the same basic review for all three of Robert Greene's books.
That's OK. Robert Greene wrote the same basic book three times. But at least it's three times the same good book. I must declare a Robert Greene fan by now. I thought highly of his wit in the 48 laws of power - this book was very appealing to me due to its links with strategy. A very "down to earth" view on some of history's most prominent strategists, and fairly motivational too. The book is also very accurate - matches all the facts that I have gathered through the years while researching the Napoleonic campaigns, the Spanish Chronicles or a few other examples that he has chosen to focus on.
Do not forget - must love history! Although the title suggests the book focuses on war, it addresses all conflict - be it military, business or personal. In each of 33 chapters, he identifies a "principal of war", and gives several historical examples of how it was applied or misapplied with in depth analysis and commentary.
One will learn as much about history as strategy from this. After reading this I have thought back to past conflicts in my life. I now see strategic mistakes in how I handled in business. If I had read this book 15 years ago obviously impossible as it was recently published , my professional life might have been more successful.
While the book is a great primer on winning conflicts, I also found it very readable and entertaining. It is quite long at pages of small print, but it is one of few non-fiction books I will keep and reread. I also enjoyed his books "Rules of Power" and "Rules of Seduction", but thought this was his best work.
As a writer, success coach, consultant, and I walked through Art of Seduction. I ran through The 48 Laws of Power.
This applies to war itself, but also negotiation, sales copywriting, marketing, and business development strategy. Key word is strategy, as compared to just tactics, and Greene delivers this very well! Use tactics to fight the battle or hand to hand or CQB, use strategy to win the war.
Greene proves that even though war, sex, seduction, negotiation, persuasion and business have been written about by so many, there's always room for new points of view Having been a previous owner of "48 Laws of Power" and the "Art of Seduction" I was awaiting this foray into the art of warfare After receiving this book as a birthday gift, I have not put it down in the last 10 days; managing it a piece at a time, and adding some highlighting to key phrases While some may consider the art of war or even seduction or manipulation of power to be an evil thing, Mr.
Greene's take on the subject seems to be "its out there: learn about it to either use it or defend against it. The anectdotes in this book are not just coverage of battlefields and generals - varying in scope from Alfred Hitchcock to Joan Crawford, to Cortez - this book has one for almost everyone. And while this may seem like Sun Tzu for the Jet Set, "33 Strategies of War" would find a welcome home on the bookshelf of a four-star general preparing for battle or a stay-at-home mom wanting to match wits with her unruly children As a business owner and in life ; you will be tested.
You must be prepared to fight for yourself and go to WAR if needed. Must have book for entrepreneurs. Also in my top five books of all time! Another classic by Robert Greene. I love this book.
It is just as applicable to personal relationships as it is to business. It is full of exceptional ways to deal with people especially when it comes to mentally preparing and negotiating in order to succeed. Good book to help you get through the conflicts of your work world. There are always conflicts no matter where you go, it's better to recognize them, and deal with them in an effective manner than pretending that they don't exist.
I got a top tier MBA, spent tens of thousands of dollars and two years, but didn't learn the important stuff. And I was the valedictorian, and got some really great jobs. I really enjoyed Greene's book 42 laws of power I can't remember if it's 42 or some other number , but this book is a great reminder and educator of the way things work behind the scenes, in people's minds, and at the macro level of every business and political dealing.
Or all the above! Much of the book rings a bell with my intuition, but there is a great deal which is so inciteful and informative. I would say I couldn't put the book down, but that's not true, I needed to take a rest every chapter or so.
I love his mixing of explaning the principals then giving historical examples. The war stories have direct analogies to the business world. I have also read Greene's "Art of Seduction", which I think is absolutely vile and disgusting. I don't think the book is vile and distigusting, I think the book simply tells the truth. Greene doesn't make the rules, he's just telling how many "successfull" people play the game, which is really just a clear illustration of the part of human nature which is cloaked behind good manners and grooming, and how people take advantage of our good nature, weaknesses, and need for connection and love--all of which applies to both our personal and business world.
Better to know it than not know it, and know when to fight fire with fire if you think you can stay true to your principles. Maybe there should be a followup something like "Buddah's dance with Devil" This book is going on my top shelf. The 33 Strategies of War came at a period in my life when I had suffered the loss of a friendship and the loss of my stepfather - both relationships of nearly 30 years. I had repeatedly bailed out each of them during their lives, and in afterthought realized I had repeatedly been taken advantage of by them.
It was one of the most hurtful times of my life, but with the aid of Mr. Greene I was able to utilize the 33 Strategies of War to implement my own ideas to seek justice on these individuals - not revenge but justice! I was actually able to formulate and conceive a 3-round match with a "Knockout" punch reserved for the final round should it be necessary.
So far it has been unnecessary - but should it becomes so I am prepared!!! Once I reached the conclusion that these relationships were sadly over I tried to leave on friendly terms. However, when these two men foolishly decided to "gang-up" on me and be vindictive with no reason there was no holds barred on the JUSTICE meted out to these individuals.
By applying Mr. Greene's guidance I was able to formulate strategies and use the very "weapons" they had used against me to show their power and reflect it against them - talk about pouring salt in the wound!!! Costing them tens of thousands, ruining their credit and affecting their future job prospects forever - and ultimately they had no one to blame but themselves.
However, implementing these strategies did not come without a cost. And I had to be prepared that I would lose additional friendships in the process. The motto here is "if you go looking for blood, be careful because you might just find it"! I found it and it was worth it! However, I learned Faaaaaar more in the study of the 33 Strategies of War than in my 16 month of studies for the graduate program.
I am a former U. Marine and these men learned a hard lesson to betray a Marine with a background in law enforcement and access to these strategies! Sometimes it is better to undermine your enemies covertly. Deterrence - Create a threatening presence: Build a reputation for being a little crazy. Non-engagement - Trade space for time: Retreat is a sign of strength. Intelligence - Know your enemy: The target of your strategies is not the army you face, but the mind who runs it.
Learn to read people. Center-of-gravity - Hit them where it hurts: Find the source of your enemy's power. Find out what he cherishes and protects and strike hard. Divide and conquer - Defeat them in detail: Separate the parts and sow dissension and division.
Turn a large problem into small, eminently defeatable parts. Turning - Expose and attack your opponent's soft flank: Frontal assaults stiffen resistance. Instead, distract your enemy's attention to the front, then attack from the side when they expose their weakness.
Exit strategy - Know how to end things: You are judged by how well things conclude. Know when to stop.
Avoid all conflicts and entanglements from which there are no realistic exits. First do something ordinary and conventional, then hit them with the extraordinary. Sometimes the ordinary is extraordinary because it is unexpected. The Void - Deny them targets: Give enemies no target to attack. Deliver irritating but damaging side attacks and pinpricks. Communication - Penetrate their minds: Infiltrate your ideas behind enemy lines, sending messages through little details.
Lure people into coming to the conclusions you desire and into thinking they've gotten there by themselves. I have to give "props" to the person that introduced me to the Robert Greene series of books! This man was someone I worked with who turned out to be quite a "sales snake". We had a conflict regarding some sales prospects in which he tried to outsmart me - however, I was able to recognize the strategies he was trying to employ and turn them against him by utilizing the company Code of Conduct - much to the surprise of the manager!
He soon after tried to psychologically intimidate me - which again I was able to outfox him! By using his own words to turn the tide against him I made him look like a fool, nearly got him fired, potentially in trouble with the police, and put him on the radar for future complaints with the company. Ultimately this protected my job and I was promoted to management soon afterward! As you can imagine he was absolutely LIVID and has not spoken with me since - all the while I smiled and wished him well!
The 33 Strategies of War will change your outlook on life - making you realize that life truly is constant conflict and that only if we address those wishing us harm can we respond in an appropriate and effective manner - to quash the revolt and live in peace.
For those who look to history for remedies to solve their life problem this book excellent.
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