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Summary: The Two Laws He Forgot
Review: Robert Greene, wonderful man that he is for compiling the other 48 Laws of Power, forgot the last 2 Laws of Power (as his pithy title so amply shows). And I will argue they are the most important laws of all.Law #49: Never buy a book, attend a lecture, or otherwise follow another person's advice on how to "gain power." That, by definition, means they have power and you are a peon following their lead. Law #50: No person has all the answers, nor all the power. Cheers, Thomas Fortenberry
Rating: 
Summary: Enlightening Beyond Belief
Review: These are indeed little shared secrets, with wonderful examples from classics and histories across time and geography that validate and explain one's sense of amazement at their truth. A timeless, epic, and cogent distillation. Truly one of the most outstanding books I have ever read. I agree that the already powerful will not appreciate its printing and distribution. I would hope it will not encourage more use of its tactics. For anyone who has run into or suffered at the hands of power without recognizing what the powerful do, they will feel a veil has been lifted from their eyes and forearm future self-defense. Businessperson, philosopher, sociologist, the familiar and unfamiliar with history and classics, citizen, employee, the common and the uncommon, and anyone else who interacts with others will find something here that raises their awareness and to interact with. I actually found this title after a stint in senior management where I didn't understand these rules and tactics, and deliberately sorted through volumes to increase my knowledge. This is the definitive work. Brilliant!
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Summary: "Could've been titled; Mans Inhumanity To Man"
Review: First let me state: I do not knock this book. The stories, fables and anecdotes are fascinating. The author has outdone himself as an historian. His style is excellent and topics profound. I found it difficult to read the text and subtext (along the books borders & in red letters) simultaneously. My major gripe is that the author made minimal effort in instructing me, the reader, in how to use these laws. I feel that a self help book (if that's what you would call this one), should have more instruction. Other than those two gripes, I loved this book. It is a book which would be better left out of the wrong hands. One of Hitlers favorite books was "The Prince". I have to admit, I felt somewhat dirty reading this book. I still found it very interesting, and would recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Real World 1A
Review: This book is a roadmap to Life, anyone's Life.
It enables one to stop being a "sensitive" Politically Correct doormat and to start being in control of one's own Life.
Buy it and study it.
Rating:
Summary: Real World information
Review: I found this book to be very useful in business and in life. It is reality...yes authors preach win/win etc...but what actually works...what gets one from point A to point B... This book is not well liked by people who already have power...these are the actual secrets to success...I am certainly not in a hurry to enlighten eveyone to the wisdom contained in the these 400 pages...It even explains how to start your own cult..i.e. Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker types to exploit the masses...I certainly would not want my enemies to have the knowledge of this book...This book also presumes that your well educated and able to understand it..this is not light reading...
Rating: 
Summary: Is Mr. Greene a Powerful man?
Review: If Mr. Greene knows so much about power then how come he is not one of the most powerful men on this planet? At least I don't think he is but then what do I know?
The author illustrates his laws of power by giving examples from the life of historic figures. The basic problem with this approach is that just because a trick worked once doesn't mean that it will work the second time around. Furthermore, the examples are taken out of the context. The reader can't see the big picture. He is only being told that someone did something and the result helped him gain power. Was it really that simple? Did he continue to do the same thing in order to retain power? We don't get answer to this question.
It seems to me that Mr. Greene spent too much time reading history and too little time trying to make sense of it. He approaches the whole process as a zero-sum game. Either I gain power and you lose or you gain power and I end up the loser. Mutual benefits are never considered. Mr. Greene doesn't seem to have read anything about game theory.
The book does have some good points though. Some of these "laws" of power do make sense. Nevertheless the reader should approach this book critically or else he may violate Law # 5 (So much depends on reputation - guard it with your life).
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Summary: It's actually Power of 48 Laws !!
Review: These Laws will be your SECRETS you might want to keep to yourself. Once you've read this book, you'll see why I suggest that the title becomes "THE POWER OF 48 LAWS" rather then 48 Laws of Power ! All laws are so true and well selected. Literally; no more or no less law is necessary. You will therefore, not find it hard to imagine how actually true but in the meantime difficult it is to implement some of these laws in real life, or will be astonished while scrutinizing through the chapters as you have already met a number of people who apply them, or even smile as you might appoint yourself who suits one of the descriptions ! Reversals are quite confirming and indeed helpful at the end of each chapter as most of us might percieve messages in different ways. It teaches strategical re-actions vs actions based on the theory of; "History repeats itself". If you tend to protect yourself from people who might approach you with "ulterior motives" while you have even worse ideas for them to reach your targets and accomplish your missions; this is the right book and laws to follow. However, make sure to fully comprehend what is being taught and what you actually are capable to implement of p-o-w-e-r letter by letter, as surprises like short circuits and power cuts or lacking of resources might appear occasionally !... And that's the challenge the book gives you which made me rate 5*****. This book is very reasonably priced and easy reading as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Slick trash.
Review: Who is this book for? If you are an arrogant guy with a BMW you already know all this--if you are a normal person you won't be able to work these games in any event. The people who praise this book include caveats like "Of course I would never do this or that". And if you try to pull this stuff its entirely possible your "victim" will have read the book as well. As for the highly praised artwork and layout, I must have a different edition because my copy has more densely packed tiny text than the penal code.
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Summary: Macchiavelli & Szen-Tsu - updated
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. It's informative and very entertaining. Having said that, I doubt the truly powerful ever had to read a book about it. Some powerful people like Cardinal Mazarin, on the other hand, did write books about means to obtain power. Some bits of the 48 laws are valauble and the book may, in a few cases, actually serve as a guide. However, the really nice thing about 'Power' is the actual reading. Each law is an interesting historical anectode that also happens to illuminate common aspects of human personality. The book draws many of its 'laws' form the court of Louis XIV , ming China, and the interesting and devious charlatans that swindled millions at the turn of the century and the renaissance. The authors end their book with the fitting warning that the powerful are careful about following advice blindly. It's a healthy reminder to steer away from self proclaimed gurus and self-help, Oprah-book-of-the-month, fast buck books that have invaded the bookstores.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: An excellent book! I recommend it to anyone wanting to understand power in today's business world and society. Greene offers excellent examples from history demonstrating the 48 laws, keeping his concepts concrete and easy to understand, rather than vague and philosohical. At the conclusion of each chapter, he then offers the reversal opinion, showing that there are two sides to every coin. A "MUST READ" for applying power to your own repertoire, or understanding how others apply them to you.
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