Rating: 
Summary: So you want to rule the world...this is what you gotta do...
Review: This book will show you...from not depending on fortresses to protect you...you have get out and mingle, to playing a sucker to catch a sucker!!! It's all here!!! From using the surrender tactic to transform your weakness into power to never appearing too perfect!!! This one truly covers most of the bases except for the really important one that I enjoy the most...always be ready to die at a moments notice...That's how the power game really works...enjoy!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A must read!!!!!!
Review: The worst part about this book is that it ends. It's an excellent collection of historical accounts from leaders all the way down to everyday people, and how they used the dynamics of these laws to progress. If you don't read this you deserve everything you don't get!
Rating:
Summary: The Balls
Review: This book is the balls. However, I've not met many people that agree me with me, mostly because of the negativity associated with power. So if you need to keep your mind in the positivity zone, don't read this book -- please. It's OK. Your loss is my gain.
Rating:
Summary: Just memorize this book and you're ready for the jungle...
Review: This book is a reference work and an instruction book. It is excellent! (Like all manuals your copy should be liberally underlined, and be covered with marginal scribbles - or it is not being properly used!) Like most guides, it does not so much offer new information, as provide a concise summary of what one needs to constantly practice to survive in 'the jungle'. "The 48 Laws of Power" follows a pattern, observed in each chapter (with only occasional changes): an introductory one-paragraph Judgment, followed by lengthy discussions of Transgression, Observance, and Keys to Power. Each chapter ends with a section called Reversal (when 'all the above' is contra-indicated!). As a learning aid, scarlet paragraphs named Image and Authority are - colorfully - inserted as needed. In addition to the obvious, this book is a beautiful example of design, with red ink nicely breaking up long expanses of black text. Each page has 1-½ inch margins (main text to edge of paper) with carefully selected and pertinent quotations running down -- in crimson -- these white spans, and contrasting agreeably with the body paragraphs. Some of the ruby citations run a couple of pages; most are much shorter. A few examples of the shortest, for flavor: "To have a good enemy, choose a friend. He knows where to strike." (Diane de Poitiers, 1499-1566, Mistress of Henri II of France); or "The remnants of an enemy can become active like those of a disease or fire. Hence, these should be exterminated completely.... One should never ignore an enemy, knowing him to be weak. He becomes dangerous in due course, like the spark of fire in a haystack." (Kautila, Indian philosopher, Third Century B.C. Prospective readers should be advised that this book - like most books on this topic - is essentially amoral. If one cannot understand that the ability to follow a course of action is not dictated by the effectiveness of that action and that we can sacrifice effectiveness to morality (and often do!), this work may not be for them... Incidentally (and I thought quite curiously) "The 48 Laws of Power" has two bibliographies: the Selected Bibliography appears on pp. 431 & 432, but a more detailed bibliography is inserted on pg. v (before the acknowledgements or table of contents!). I liked that the nine-page Table of Contents is annotated. It functions as a useful abstract of the 48 laws. I gave a young lady in my office a photocopy of this summary, which she found interesting - unfortunately she didn't apply the principles, and was eventually discharged (she violated rules 5, 9, 11, 19, 29 and 38 to be specific!).
Rating: 
Summary: To be avoided at all costs
Review: The most frightening thing about this book is that people actually buy it and try to incorporate these twisted "laws" into their lives. Follow even a few of these laws and you will be on your way to being a paranoid, vindictive, manipulative and plain heartless individual. These laws will not help you in any arena and you are encouraged not to support this author and publisher by purchasing this book.
Rating:
Summary: More subtle than it seems
Review: As other reviewers suggest, this can be read as a "How to.." book. For the machievellian mind, there are some superb historical ideas which could easily be applied today. Even more important to the average punter is the self-defense aspect - knowing what to watch for. But underneath all that there is a subtle counterargument running through. Characters that triumph in one chapter come to grief in the next. People who start by applying the rules successfully, fail in other situations. Read this book, and your personal desire for world domination is quite likely to dwindle, as you come to realise that it is often true that those who live by these rules frequently perish by them too. Only those who are truly benign seem end their lives with credit. One of my top reads, I would recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Tableau Of The Historical Exercise Of Power
Review: Coming from a strong Christian upbringing, initially I found the idea of this book frightening. The only title I've read that seems more ostentatious is _How To Become CEO_, by Jeffrey J. Fox. As I read the book, I was fascinated by the diversity of the historical examples provided. There are historical examples ranging from Thomas Edison to Michelangelo; from Genghis Khan to Harry Houdini. I demur from some of the reviewers of this item, in that I enjoyed it immensely. I did not expect to get a roadmap about how to plunder and pillage my way to be King. I expected a sharply presented discussion on the dynamics of power, and I was not at all disappointed--in fact I was thrilled. Disagree with the author if you must, or better yet, take a tour through the tales of past triumphs and failures in the exercise of power. Colorful fables, quips, and quotations abound and are presented tastefully. I've not thoroughly enjoyed a book this much in quite some time!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: I wish everyone would read and re-read this book. This book is for everyone who has watched people with no real talent or ability get far more rewards than they deserved, while those with more ability got taken advantage of. What's the secret? Understanding the laws of power as set forth in this book. Even though the book is amoral and seems to encourage amorality in the reader, the author is (knowingly or not) doing a great public service in presenting such a clearly explained guide to the workings of power. Make no mistake: if you don't understand these laws, someone who does will take advantage of you. If you do understand them, you can at least protect yourself. If everyone understood these laws, nobody would be able to use them - and the world would be a much better place.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Influential Book
Review: The 48 Laws of Power is truly an outstanding peice of literature - fascinating to read, and despite other reviewers' criticisms it is in fact very useful if you have a particular situation in mind to put the laws into practise on. However, weak points are that the same characters are used a bit too often, and a slight obsession with mortality is evident - most of the characters written about come to a brutal and thoroughly decribed demise and this theme also comes up a bit more than necessary even in abstract examples & metaphors. This book combines deep entertainment value with visual bookshelf appeal. But more importantly, if you read it closely a few times it will provide a new understanding of the timeless principles it describes. The 48 Laws of Power is a very influential book.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this book!
Review: This is one of the best non-fiction books I have ever read. You will not want to stop reading the wealth of information inside. I probably should not give this book such high marks because I would rather be one of the few who posess this knowledge. The detailed historical examples alone are worth the price of the book, but the interpretation and edification of the latter by the authors is invaluable.
| 
