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Summary: A "MUST READ" Book In Life...!!!
Review: A "MUST READ" Book In Life!
Extremely informative and mind-blowing book about how history plays an important role in the "Art of Manipulation"! Dissects how people use it, why and how to master it for yourself.
I could NOT put the book down!
At first I was like, "Oh my goodness,how could people be so cruel!" (Weak-hearted!) However, after I read it over, and over again, (Yes Folks, this book is that HOT!) I realized the author's 48 principles and the different individuals that he compared each one to in the book are very wise!
I also loved how the author gave you a reversed choice at the end of each chapter to allow you to compare a different scenario to the principle.
Overall, the 48 principles in this book made me realize that although you have a choice, its either, "Kill, or be Killed" in life folks!
Warning: Not For Extremely Weak-hearted Individuals!!!
However, Im now an, "Ex-Weak-hearted Individual"...LOL!!!)
Rating:
Summary: mastering others to great lenghts
Review: First of all as many people who have written reviews presume, this is not a buisness book. This is a book about mastery over others in order to make them respect, love and fear you. The 48 Laws of power is a very bold book which is not afraid to state the evil you must commit in order to be powerful, which is very suiting for the topic of power as it deals with leading people on, manipulting people and being only out for yourself in order to gain true power. The laws work to great effect and gives you the abilty to make people see you as powerful within a short time and provides the techniques to dominate any person you wish.
This is a brilliant read even if you are not interested in gain power but just wish to observe others at the domination game.
It is beautifully written, humorous, totally gripping and the book layout is fantastic. Anyone who is a control freak or wants the respect of others should be without this book
Rating:
Summary: Follow the Rules and prosper
Review: Many of the Rules I learned on my own through experience. Some of them I learned instinctively. Some of them are new to me. All of the Rules will be instrumental in making anyone more powerful (and successful) at work and in life in general. I have all of my upper management read the book so that they can run my businesses better.
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Summary: Very readable history book on power
Review: Hundreds of examples of courtiers winning the favor of royalty and leveraging their position among enemies to gain power. Some very practical advice:
1) Make your reputation simple and clear. Hone a particular quality until it is a calling card. 2) Create attention at all cost. PT Barnum (of the circus fame) would even write public attacks against himself to keep himself in the news. Even scandal is better than indifference. 3) The essence of power is to keep the initiative ~ making other people react to your moves (pg. 65) Make people come to you. Sometimes pickpockets put a sign that says "Beware of Pickpockets" because passerbys see the sign and instinctively reach for their wallets. The thieves see that and know they have a prey. 4) Win through action, not through argument. "Learn to demonstrate the correctness of your ideas indirectly." (pg 71) 5) Learn to keep people dependent on you. "If you are ambituous, it is much wiser to seek out weak rulers or masters with whom you can create a relationship of dependency." (pg 84) 6) Crush your enemy completely. Chang Kia-shek did not finish off Mao. Mao's army was reduced to 10,000 soliders, but eventually came back from the Long March to take over China. 7) Be deliberately unpredictable. It keeps everyone on off guard and confused. It intimidates and creates a sense of power. 8) Do not commit to anyone but yourself.
"I would rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married." - Queen Elizabeth I 9) Feign surrender. It lulls other people into a sense of complaceny. "When a great lord passes, a wise peasant bows deeply and farts silently." - Ethiopian proverb 10) Plan it to the end. The end game is everything. Most people are just prisoners of the moment. To be the one in control, you must have a plan to the end of the chess game.
Rating: 
Summary: A Historical Study of Power Players and Power Games
Review: _The 48 Laws of Power_ is a thorough and well-written collection of concepts, mindsets and behaviors that all powerful leaders and manipulators throughout history have shared. Each principle is outlined in its own chapter (e.g., "Law 34 - Act Like A King To Be Treated Like One"), with engaging anecdotes about those who adhere to the Law (Christopher Columbus and Haile Selassie, from the chapter above) and those who ignore it, at their own peril (Louis-Philippe, the "Bourgeois King" of France). Further elaboration is provided within the course of the chapter, giving the vignettes a solid foundation. A word of caution however: this book is not "How To Conquer The World 101." The Laws of Power are principles, not specific courses of action. Most readers will find it far more interesting to educate themselves thoroughly on these Laws and then observe the power struggles of others, rather than striking out on their own. Also note: the historical vignettes are by and large more informative than the author's explanations. It's much easier to draw one's own conclusions from the examples of history than to sit through Greene's overly prosaic rehashing. It's obvious to an intuitive reader that Stonewall Jackson's Shenandoah campaign is anecdotal support for Law 16, "Cultivate an Air of Unpredictability" - no need to belabor the point by repeating yourself. If nothing else, this book is fascinating historical reading. Given a bit of careful perception and evaluation, however, it has the potential to be much more.
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Summary: Power unmasked.....
Review: As a political consultant, I am unhappy about the publication of this book. Greene's Book shows all of the tricks of the trade and explains complex issues in a simple manner. All of the laws are 100% true. This book is great for the power practioners as well as those seeking to increase their power bases. I also teach poltical science and this book is apart of my curriculum. After reading this book, my students have a tremendous understanding of international relations, American politics, political philosophy, and comparative politics.
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Summary: good, but lots of extraneous stories, tedious to read
Review: About 85% of the book was a presentation of stories of kings, rulers, and leaders' experiences, and tedious to read through. When the author followed up with his explanations, the thoughts and suggestions were very clear and direct, albeit pretty cut-throat. I wont live my life this way, but it was interesting to expose others out there who do.
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Summary: I've been promoted twice since reading this!
Review: I used to be direct, honest, hard working, and poor. With apologies to my kindergarten teacher, this book taught me that if you treat others the way you like to be treated, you will be treated to a life time of lower middle management and corporate frustration. This book taught me how to play to win. I should have read this years ago. I recommend this to every young aspiring man or woman that just graduated college. This book has become my prescription for power, and since I have read this wonderful life-changing bible, I have been promoted two times in my fortune 500 company. The hard working "good people" are now working for me, and I'm just three notches from the corner office on the top floor of our executive wing, and I'm coming! I love this book. At last, someone tells the truth about power. Its not for everyone. Personally, I hope you don't read it. See ya at the top.
Rating:
Summary: cunning, ruthless, clever... indeed a guide to power
Review: I've read roughly 10 of the 48 laws but after a few I knew this was a masterpiece. It illustrates with a simple yet convincing style how to play and win at power games. In time I will get "The Art of Seduction." Long as 48 Laws is, I've seen I'll be reading it for a long time to come. I have reread the laws I've covered and learn more every time.
Rating:
Summary: Quite an excellent read.
Review: I picked up this book out of sheer curiousity, and when I took it home and started reading it, I was truly amazed. This book delves into how the human mind works. Working extremely hard doesn't really get you far. The book repeatedly tells the reader to keep watch of vultures and jealousy. True, some laws contradict themselves, but not all situations require all the laws. That is why at the end of each law, the author writes a reversal to the law. Something to watch out for. And I did notice one review saying that this book is Satanic. I'll tell that reviewer this, biblical figures follow many laws written in this book. And no, this book will not send you to jail. For those interested in power, I highly recommend ths book. It is quite long (I even read all the anecdotes in the margin), but every letter in that book is informative. Even if you aren't interested in power at all (I don't see why people will deluded themselves with this), read it any way, to watch out for those who are.
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