The 48 Laws of Power

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Summary: Classical political philosophy made simple
Review: This book takes the basic principals of classical political philosophy and makes them digestible for the masses. This is ancient wisdom being repackaged for modern use. These "laws" are not quite indisputable, as they contradict. Each and every one is very powerful, but power is wielded by people who know how to use a tactic and, perhaps more importantly, when. This book does not guarantee power, it meerly lets the reader know the tools that power yeilders manipulate. The intangible ability of knowing how and when to employ these tactics (thumos) is truly what makes one powerful. Always has, always will. Power is unatainable for most, and unavoidable to some. All things considered.....a very good work.

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Summary: Insightful Information
Review: I enjoyed the insights noted in this book. It has been helpful in seeing how the world really turns.

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Summary: Devious, cunning and simply brilliant
Review: 'The 48 Laws of Power' tells you what you need to know to stay ahead in the race for power and dominance, and it does so in a crisp, no-nonsense manner. Each of the 48 laws is explained in detail, with examples gleaned from sources as diverse as the Bible to 'The Prince' by Niccolo Machiavelli. However, I have one issue against the authors which is they have not referred much to Chanakya (Kautilya), the ancient Indian sage and master strategist, who is also the author of 'Arthashastra', though there are passing references to him. However, all in all, a very good book, enthralling reading and simply devious in its suggestions. Brilliant!

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Summary: The greatest book on power of this century
Review: "The 48 Laws..." is truly the most important book on the subject of power of the 20th century. It's free of moral, free of GUILT - very unlike the countless semi-new age "How to become succesful"-type of works. Hence, "the 48 Laws..." fits in the immortal tradition of authors like Machiavelli and Sun-Tzu. This book is compulsory reading for every businessman, artist, politician, and philosopher.

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Summary: The Truth Hurts
Review: The truth about the power game has never been laid out in such a way, as Greene has. The book is not easy reading, but it should be required reading for any college senior heading out into the world. I am beginning my carreer in Washington, D.C., the most powerful place in the world, were everyone has been practicing these rules for years. After reading this book, being the new kid on the block does not seem so bad.

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Summary: Mildly entertaining, but base and immoral.
Review: While I did enjoy the historical anecdotes for their own sake, I personally found this book more useful as a defensive tool.

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Summary: Beware: You may get what you ask for
Review: This book is well written and provides the steps necessary to achieve power. However, they are also likely to make you a very lonely person. That may be why the author acknowledges his cat not a significant other.

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Summary: The Laws of Power Made Plain. A great read.
Review: One of the common criticisms of the book is that the laws contradict. Of course, if you believe that "laws" can't really be so if they are contradicted by other "laws," you are correct -- since the "laws" contradict (in a sense). However, interpreting "laws" in this way is a mistake. The reader can overcome the apparent contradictions if they will simply replace "laws" with "techniques." Once you do this, the laws don't contradict any longer. Rather, they compete with each other. Think of chess, for example, where you must marshall a variety of strategies and tecniques to defeat and guard against your opponent. You may employ and be better at some techniques than others. This is why the book doesn't contradict itself.

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Summary: Worked for a man who practiced these steps.
Review: Excellent book. I worked for a man (for one year) who practiced these steps even before the book came out! He is hated and despised. He practiced many of the steps on me as well as other former employees. This sounds like a bad review but is not! I WILL NOW PRACTICE THESE STEPS and never be manipulated and stabbed in the back again!

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Summary: Historical and revealing insight into the rules of power
Review: This book is filled with stories, anecdotes and lessons that in turn describe the many factors of leadership influence and power. Arranged in chapters dedicated to one law each, the book is an easy read that can be studied in arbitrary order. Many of the lessons date back thousands of years yet seem timeless as they so clearly describe the natural laws of power. As suggested in the foreward by the author the reader should enjoy this book more for entertainment value than to pick up on power strategies. Clearly, application of these rules in modern society would certainly not improve the human condition. If you always wanted to understand the Art of War and really appreciate The Prince read this book instead.