Rating: 
Summary: Sublime AND brilliant
Review: I hate management fad books. I hate motivational speakers. I hate self-improvement anything. But I found this book to be one of the most brilliant and concise self help books I've ever come across. It doesn't insult you with aphorisms and condescensions, instead it comes right out in brutal honesty- this is about clawing and manipulating your way to the top, with no apologies. People who complain that some rules contradict each other clearly fail to grasp the precision and subtleties of these rules. eg. 'court attention/ blend in': one should court attention, however, don't court attention by offending people's core values and beliefs. You can be Liberace w/o being Marilyn Manson, dig? 'abscence/ don't built walls': defend yourself by making allies, not building walls- but you can certainly make friends without being taken for granted that you're always around. If you still think these rules contradict each other, then you're not ready for the advice in this book yet. Better stick with something more crass and puerile, like William Bennet's Book of Virtue. Granted, some rules are more brilliant than others, and some are more like fillers ('be formless'??) but then you can say the same of even the best music albums. To me, the only shortcomings of this book is that the examples seem kind of strained (they're all vastly entertaining though), and most of them are from ancient history. And yes, I know that practicing all of these rules may very well turn you into a conniving slimeball, or even a used car salesman.. but it's good to have them in your arsenal anyways!
Rating:
Summary: "Please Don't Read This Book"
Review: I am asking each and everyone of you curious readers not to read this book, please. The less you know the better off I am. I could easily take advantage of you because of your ignorance. Your ignorance is bliss to me. If you are altruistic, you'll probable have a heart attack reading this book. You 'goodie two shoe people' will feel like going to confession. Ahh good for you. Look don't read this and you will make my life easier. Most of you probably won't read the book cover to cover as the author suggests. I am not afraid of antagonizing you because you want an easy way. Okay, okay, buy the book, put it on your shelf and let the pretty orange cover remind you of the Cleveland Browns who are a bunch of losers too. Most people don't want to believe that most people are out to get over on you. Since Machiavelli's "The Prince", this is the first writer who tells the truth about the leadership in good old USA. In less then five years from now you might pick up this book again and you probably won't read it then. Thank you so much for using the book as a paper weight. Better for me again.
Rating:
Summary: Plenty food to thoughts
Review: Very good book, gave me lot of things to think about and to review about my daily life and relationships. Not a life guide or a life saver, but enlightening about many things happenning around us, common people. Helps. And I couldn't stop reading, really enjoyable.
Rating: 
Summary: The first rule of Power is -- you don't talk about Power
Review: This is what I think about The 48 Laws of Power: The first rule of Power is -- you don't talk about Power. The second rule of Power is -- you don't talk about Power. The third rule of Power is -- aways remember the First Law: Never Outshine the Master. Fourth rule is -- there ARE ways to get others to do all the work for you AND take all the credit (one of the Laws) while still giving the one who performed the work her/his kudos. It helps Protect Your Reputation (another important Law). Fifth rule -- don't forget that The Laws of Power are "amoral," neither moral nor immoral. Sixth rule -- don't forget that although the Laws are amoral, HOW you execute the Laws is not. Seventh rule -- put the book down when you start to feel sick about the corporate world. And the eighth and final rule -- read the book when you start to feel sick about the corporate world.
Rating:
Summary: Read carefully
Review: This is not a contradictory book. You most get all elemementsof the particular law...Example: Be absent to increase your power / Don't isolate yourself from others, or you'll lose power Is stated by the book that you most be absent when your absence create a need. Put something out of market and demand raises. However we all know that contacts are valuable then you can not isolateyourself from others. Crush your enemies totally / Win your enemies over with love Crush your enemy when you are SURE that your victory is absolute. Win your enemies with love when you are in the loser side (waiting to gather information to your benefit ect...) Life is not white or black but different tones of gray.Just read it and make your own conclusions.
Rating:
Summary: Read carefully
Review: This is not a contradictory book. You most get all elemements of the particular law. Example: Be absent to increase your power / Don't isolate yourself from others, or you'll lose power Is stated by the book that you most be absent when your absence create a need. Put something out of market and demand raises. However we all know that contacts are valuable then you can not isolate yourself from others. Crush your enemies totally / Win your enemies over with love Crush your enemy when you are SURE that your victory is absolute. Win your enemies with love when you are in the loser side (waiting to gather information to your benefit ect...) Life is not white or black but different tones of gray.Just read it and make your own conclusions.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but Repetitive
Review: Although an interesting and well-written book, the most obvious criticism of the 48 Laws of Power is not that certain principles contradict each other, but that they duplicate each other. Think about it; 48 Laws. That's a nice even number isn't it? Without being as obviously manufactured as 'The 50 Laws of Power' it certainly has a nicer ring to it than say 'the 37 Laws of Power' would. In fact I see no problem in certain Laws contradicting others, much like the highway speed limit is occasionally contradicted by the reality of rush hour traffic. But there is obvious repetition in Laws like "Always Say less than necessary" and "Win thorugh actions, never through argument". There are other even bettter examples, but unfortunately I do not have the book here with me at present to refer to... I think other readers will agree though.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Information
Review: Great book! After reading the summary at the front of the book, I purchased the paperback version and have read half way through it. I immediately went out and purchased two more copies (one each for my daugthers who have just finished college and are now entering the workplace). The book shows you how to deal with "office politics", something that college does not prepare you for, and learning on your own is a lengthy and painful process. This is a "must read" for anyone who wants to become a leader in his/her occupational field.
Rating:
Summary: INTERESTING
Review: I read all the reviews that appeal to the argument of 'the laws contradict each other'... it might sound like that when you first read the book... however, in every chapter you will feel an intuitive certainty that the author is accurately describing human nature... it doesn't really matter if the book was written for money-making purposes or if the historic references were unaccurate or redundant: it definitely remind us of obscure human thoughts/feelings that influence our daily interactions. It is not that the laws contradict each other: life is flexible and contradictory, thus not allowing the postulation of a+b=c type of equations in the study of human behavior... but as I said, while reading the book you can 'feel' the author is appealing to real issues in human psychology
Rating: 
Summary: Was overwhelmed at first, but now.....
Review: When I first bought this book back in '98 I have to admit, I was captivated. But as I continued reading this book I kept thinking that people were coldblooded and that the world did not need a book like this to encourage people. Now that I am back in the corporate arena (Lion's Den, same s**t), I will be reading this book like any self preservationist would. People go through unsurmountable means to do things to people to get on top. And with television shows like "Survivor" breaking records that they have, it goes to show you at what lengths the public will go through to see people claw there way to get what they want. Read the book, draw your own conclusions.
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