Rating: 
Summary: timeless lessons for power-brokers-to-be
Review: This classic review of classic political manuals is as relevant today as it ever was. Those concerned by the applicability of the historical examples provided miss an essential point: the will to power is in human nature, and human nature hasn't changed, regardless of claims to the contrary by our enlightened rulers. After reading The 48 Laws of Power, I realized that it is in the interest of power brokers to keep us in this state of inocence.These rules cannot be applied inflexibly in all situations. In fact, most of the chapters have a reversal of the law section, to remind us that context is crucial. This will not be a problem for power seekers who stay alert, looks both to the past and the future, have perfect self control and patience, as recommended by the author. Simplistic hard and fast rules have no place here. The book is beautifully laid out and edited. Just a minor quip: Baltasar Gracian is the most quoted author yet his books don't make it to the recommended reading list.
Rating: 
Summary: History, not tactics
Review: I give this book three stars, cause the publishers try to sell it as a tool for gaining power. Forget it. No book will get you power.
Proof? Try Talleyrand. He was born into power. Or Ivan the terrible. He murdered to get power. Napoleon? He used a revolution to get power. Hitler, mebbe? All he needed was an entire country in chaos. No prob, dude.
These tactics do not work as well as they used to.
Robert Greene, however, does an excellent job of historical writing. Reading this book as history, it's a bargain.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful
Review: My initial impression after going through the overview and abstract of the laws is just this..WOW!!. This is an insightful effort on the workings of the human mind in its various ramifications under the realm of Power. I dont think the subject of Power has ever been dealt with so logically, systematically and so interestingly. Green eludidates each of his laws with anecdotes and stories carefully collected from over the centuries (ancient Roman, chinese, persian, Greek to the contemporary London / Paris) and one cannot but wonder at the accuracy of his laws and their applicability in different facets of life. The stories are classified as either observance or transgression of the laws. Greene then summarizes his findings on each law as Keys to Power and supports it with an image. Some of the laws like "Conceal your Intentions", "Seem dumber than your mark", "control the options" "Never appear too perfect" and "assume formlessness" amongst others have amazing relevance in the current business and political scenarios. That the author has tendency to think of non-conventional ways of securing power is more apparent in chapters like "Using absence to gain respect and honor", "Making ones effors seem effortless", "using surrender tactics". These are strategies that are off-beat but nevertheless interesting. Another striking example is the chapter on "Playing the perfect courtier". This could serve as a rule book to anyone wanting to get along profitably in business and professional circles. On the down side, it may be little long drawn out to go through some of the stories, but its relevance may well worth the effort. The shortened version - which only describes the laws and keys to power - would just be great for those in hurry. Overall it is a great piece of work in analysing Power from different perspectives. It is a must for those who are already wielding Power and for those who would like to wield some themselves.
Rating:
Summary: Should be mandatory reading in college
Review: Ever wonder why the slackers around you get promoted, or why management in the technical fields are non-technical and generally lazier than regular employees? Why politicians do the things they do, or why upper management makes dumb decisions? This book explains it all. Definitely on my top 5 list of all time great books. Although the "examples" in every chapter get monotonous after the first 30, if you can survive the repetition you'll learn more than most of your friends, family and the general public. Don't be a victim of society and continue to be clueless about why management works the way it does. Read this today, buy it, print out the laws and post them on your door to read everyday. Trust me, it's worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I had hoped for a psychological or social investigation of power and influence, but this is basically a collection of anecdotal stories that the author tries to group around a central theme or "law". Many of these laws are somewhat contradictory, and entirely subject to interpretation. There is really no attempt made to relate the laws to practical situations, and so even if one memorized each law and the related story, it would still be very difficult to discern when to use any particular law in a specific circumstance. As it is, the book is mostly interesting as a collection of historical anecdotes related to leaders, and not in any sense a "how to".
Rating:
Summary: Black or White
Review: When it comes to this book , you are black, or you are white. No greys! I recommend this book to all college students who are currently studying business or political science. This is a great book that all should read if they want to excel in thier careers or lives.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK FOR THOSE ALLOWED TO BEHEAD SUBORDINATES
Review: Robert Greene has done an excellent job of distilling how power works at the macro level, among great generals, statesmen, larger-than-life seducers, and even top CEOs at Fortune 500 companies. But most of us do not experience power in the way that is presumed by these examples. Most of us experience a much more fluid, shifting, and consensus-based form of power among people whom we must work with over and over again over many years and cannot afford to treat as disposable. This book is of limited value for understanding power in such normal, everyday situations where those exercising power lack the ability to behead, poison, or even to fire those with whom they work. The book works very well as a history of how absolute power has been accumulated, preserved, and lost. It works much less well as an set of instructions for how to exercise influence in a world where power is much more diffuse and unstable than it is in almost any of the examples that the author relies on as the basis for his "laws."
Rating:
Summary: to understand all those irrational executive decisions
Review: The Book has enabled me to understand what is power and how power-oriented people behave and why. It is illuminating how the upper-level execs see the world around.
Rating:
Summary: 2 for Techniques
Review: + The laws are organized in a flat format. This might suggest author doesn't trust the reader. Following his own laws, it seems-- not giving away too much information (how the laws might arrange in hierarchy, etc) Or, the author has not thought about this, and cannot help you arrange things hierarchicly, only anarchicly, as these laws are presented. + These laws create collapse. As you become dependent upon the laws, so your "victims" become dependent upon you. If you find the 48 laws to fail, your "victims" will drop you, because you have caused them to collapse upon you, they are not empowered to support you. Also, this is a formula for theism. The church is alive and well. + These laws aren't so much "laws" as they are "methods of victimizing", since a law tends to help people communicate in the face of a chaotic environment (ie. my culture is different from yours, so we need a mediator to make sure we can both come to an acceptable agreement) + These laws break alongside other systems, nontheistic spiritual systems, to name a category. This would imply that these laws are a passing suite of techniques employable in a mercenary capacity. These laws do not address how to sustain the people that follow these laws. (ie. their biological systems, their unconditional support network, environmental systems, etc.) + These laws allow for people to find better laws, which is a good thing. "The best theory is the one that gets you to a better theory"
Rating:
Summary: Simply Empowering
Review: I first read this book two years ago. Since then I have obtained two large promotions and am ten years ahead of my peer group. I also make $15,000 more a year in salary -- and I am just getting started. By employing the concepts and ideas of this book I have quite simply out planned, out moved, and out-played those around me. Be assured this book isn't about being nice or cruel. It is a guide to the game of power and teaches the rules most are never taught. It delineates the basic rules of engagement in this world and especially within business and strategic relationships. Those who can't see the difference between information and ethics are simply naive. I used to work hard to 'please' the boss, be completely honest, and most of all consider the interests of all parties. That only stressed me out and gave me an ulcer. More importantly, it excluded me from promotions and other opportunities. Now, I simply use the concepts of the 48 Laws of Power to enable my success. For those who are offended by the apparent immorality or ethical conflicts that appear inherent in these concepts -- be assured that ethical conduct can be maintained within these ideals. Just as black-belt can easily kill the average person, it doesn't mean he does or should. If want to win in the game of life employ the concepts of the bible. If you want to win in business use the 48 Laws of Power. Knowledge is power. The 48 Laws of Power are a nuclear arsenal in the battle for power.
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