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Summary: A well-written, engaging book. Insights & Ideas. Worth it.
Review: The authors reveal, through historical examples, a variety of techniques which helped others increase their "power." The idea is that you can use these techniques to increase your power and/or guard yourself against the use of them against you by others. Whether or not you agree with the idea of the book, you will be surprised and entertained. In our politically correct times, such a book is often publicly condemned, but privately, it is read and savored. Also, anyone who quotes Nietzsche (in context, I might add) has got it right.
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Summary: 'Tis sad but true
Review: The 48 laws of power are not about ethics, morality, or goodness. They are about what exists out in the real world, and always has.I felt sad to know and recognize that power is obtained and maintained by means which do not appeal to our noblest instincts, but that does not change anything about power and its laws. The author has brought out a wonderful exposition of what people in positions of power do to enhance it and hold on to what they have. Regardless of what your perceptions of power vs. ethics are, you must read this book because (a) These power games will be played all over you, so you better recognize them (b) Play them as necessary to ensure your survival (you won't be able to win on the strength of your ethics and principles alone.) and (c) It is a damn good read.
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Summary: Read it and catch yourself saying "That's soooo true!"
Review: I recently completed this book and ended up liking it just as I expected I would considering the topic. I am not going to go on about how everyone should go out and buy this book. Simply put, it's a good read and worth taking a look into. My only complaint is similar to one mentioned below. The examples used in the book are all from fairly ancient times. I would have appreciated a couple more recent examples to balance it all out. I read this book in two days though because I couldn't put it down so I must say, for me, it was well worthwhile.
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Summary: True; frank instructionary for climbing S.Valley, Media.
Review: It is true. Been in the Military, Media, Trading, Science businesses; I'm old. My sons are doing so well it makes my head spin. Now they need to defend their situations. They need to adhere exactly to the Laws of Power ascribed in this tome. Greene has no credentials, but he's right.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun to read, but not practical
Review: I have to agree with the Kirkus reviewer -- the "laws" in this book contradict each other. In addition to the "Be conspicuous / Blend in" paradox, there are at least these others: (1) Be absent to increase your power / Don't isolate yourself from others, or you'll lose power (2) Crush your enemies totally / Win your enemies over with love There are probably others, but those are the ones I recall off the top of my head. It is no defense for the author to say that well, sometimes one rule works, and sometimes another does. That's not what being a "law" is all about. We don't hear scientists say, "Well, in this case the law of gravity is not called for -- instead, we're going to use the law of floating in midair." Laws are laws. They can't have random, undefined "exceptions" at unpredictable times. The author doesn't even try to formulate rules for when certain of the power "laws" are called for, and when their opposites would work (the "reversal" sections notwithstanding), he just rattles off all 48 one after the other. But then, I guess a book called "The 48 Tactics of Power That Might or Might Not Work When You Try Them" wouldn't sell well. Despite this shortcoming, the anecdotes in the book are often quite engaging, although a little more variety is called for. The same cast of characters crops up again and again: Yellow Kid Weil, Count Victor Lustig, Talleyrand, Bismarck, Barnum, and Kissenger must have been the most powerful folks in history based on how often they are mentioned here. It would've been nice to hear from more contemporary power players -- Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey, for instance. Overall, a fun but largely useless book.
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Summary: Most Amazing book ever!
Review: This amazing book of power is definitely the cornerstone of business. As soon as I looked at the book, I was hooked. Not only does it give the reader laws essential to power, it also provides numerous examples in history and business. This is very intriguing and persuasive. Even if the reader is not power hungry, the book is still interesting and fun to read. All power buffs should buy this book. Even if you are not a power buff, this book will still be a valuable addition to your bookshelf. In summary, the best book on the study of power...EVER.
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Summary: Power maniacs take note!
Review: An excellent book on the uses (and abuses) of power in history. Highly recommended for it's entertainment value as well as the information contained within it. And even if you arent a power-maniac, it's a good reference for observing those who are. Actually Im surprised there were no examples from modern day politics (except for Kissinger), but overall an excellent treatise on the subject. The authors illustrate each 'Law' with stories from ancient China, Greece, Rome,etc. and in the margins are metaphorical stories to further drive the point home. I couldnt put the book down, the day I got it I started reading it at 5:00 and the next thing I knew it was 1:00 in the morning! Even if you arent a power maniac, get it so at least you'll have a guide-book for today's political maelstrom. And if you are a power maniac, then this will be a good reference in your plans for world domination. ;)
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Summary: This book gives you the most blunt truth as to what life is.
Review: The book entitled "Power" is really a book about life. The truth in how people really are and how to "defeat" them can be found in this book. It isn't merely a book about war and stratagies, but about how to manipulate people to do what you want them to do. I have found that this book relates to me more than any book I've ever read. I tend to do a lot of the things that the book suggest and have thought about writing a book about it. But I don't have to, now that this book has already been written. But the reality that many people "play with your mind" is something that is easily recognizable and can easily be turned in your favor. Also, the most important Law is to remain just like everyone else, and to be as humble as possible, because I have noticed in my own life, that the most powerful people(powerful,not popular) refuse to acknowledge it. My advice is for anyone who wishes to have the upper hand, to buy this book; by using the strategies in this book, you can increase your confidence in life and enhance your knowledge into others.
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Summary: Develop a God Complex!
Review: If taken as doctrine and systematically adopted, this book could alienate you from your friends, peers, and family. (Although your superiors may elevate you to the heights of power.) Read in conjunctiuon with a little Ayn Rand, you may never look at people the same way. Sociopathic concerns aside, the book reads like a poetic argument. Examples, parables and folk tales give historical justification for even the most viscious tendencies. The 48 Laws themselves are insightful, although - like any argument - one sided. I give the book the highest rating possible, as it offers some truly valuable insight. Having graduated college with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, I wish I'd read it earlier. It provides an excellent framework for the analysis of (ambitious) human interactions. One must (hopefully) disagree with the author from the outset that what sets humans above all others is our ability to deceive, and what separates humans from each other is their ability in doing so. Read the book with that in mind, and you'll come out a better person.
Rating:
Summary: A great book
Review: This book is not only informative but written with great wit. I really enjoyed it. This, and Lieberman's NEVER BE LIED TO AGAIN, are the two best business books I've read in a very long time. There are so many books on spirituality and while I think that's great, it's good to have some balance in the marketplace with books like these.
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