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  • The 48 Laws of Power

  • By: Robert Greene
  • Narrated by: Don Leslie
  • Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (407 ratings)
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The 48 Laws of Power

By: Robert Greene
Narrated by: Don Leslie
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Summary

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills 3,000 years of the history of power into 48 well-explicated laws. This bold volume outlines the laws of power in their unvarnished essence, synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun-tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other great thinkers. Some laws teach the need for prudence ("Law 1: Never Outshine the Master") and the virtue of stealth ("Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions"); many demand the total absence of mercy ("Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally"). But like it or not, all have applications in real life. Illustrated through the tactics of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, P. T. Barnum, and other famous figures who have wielded, or been victimized by, power, these laws will fascinate any listener interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.
Listen to the companion audiobook, The 33 Strategies of War.
©2000 Robert Greene and Joost Elffers (P)2007 HighBridge Company

What listeners say about The 48 Laws of Power

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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

Learn to deal with, not become a tyrant

If you could sum up The 48 Laws of Power in three words, what would they be?

A guide how to see signs of people using, abusing, playing games and controlling you. Or if used it can make you a very powerful and manipulative person who most would view as evil.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Christopher Columbus, some one who took the power by just aiming for the stars and got away with the moon. If proof was ever needed that with confidence and knowing what to ask for and how, will make you appear much more powerful then you actually are.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

It would become a sketch movie that would jump from century to century

Any additional comments?

If you want to become a powerful monster, its a step by step guide

If you want to learn how to deal with the monsters, its a step by step guide as well. Bottom line is that people will use the techniques used in this book against you, subconsciously or knowingly and regardless it helps knowing and seeing the signs that some one is playing you.

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13 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Evil, manipulative and purely wrong.

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

As with all books - I went with my gut instinct here and returned this audiobook.

I managed to listen to the preface and Law 1 only and had to turn it off. Half way through the preface I had a growing feeling in my gut that what I was listening to was WRONG. It was wrong on many levels, manipulative and bad for me to the point my stomach turned and I felt physically sick. I always trust my gut on this - this way of thinking about the world, other people and everything (you need to sneak your way to the top, disguise your intentions, lie, deceive, hide your emotions, conspire and "play the game") isn't good for you.

I will go with truth, transparency, owning up to mistakes and emotional intelligence instead - and you will be much better off. Why not listen to the "Anatomy of peace" instead...

Has The 48 Laws of Power put you off other books in this genre?

Yes

Would you be willing to try another one of Don Leslie’s performances?

Maybe

What character would you cut from The 48 Laws of Power?

Are there any characters in that book?

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9 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Incredible insight into the world of Ego/Greed!

If you want cut throat, selfish and egotistical brain massaging, this the book for you.

This book takes as its premise that all people act purely to out of self interest and encourages the use of power play behaviours to take advantage of the weak, infirm and/or genuinely nice. According to this thinking altruism is a lie or at best an illusion.

This book is truly poisonous in the wrong hands.

I have read Robert Greene's 'Masters' and enjoyed his ability to entwine self-help sage advice with real life stories. Always aware that often this sort of advice is pre-desired by the reader rather than being some innate truth.
The book covers have always been a big draw as the graphic is so strong and simple but completely on message. This is why my curiosity was drawn to Power. I was truly shocked by the content. On the other hand the book is well written and enthrallingly narrated.

If you do buy this book, please remember with great power comes great 'responsibility' ; possibly a good title for Greene's follow up novel?

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent Listen

Love it. A certain listen. Great range of story telling. brilliant delivery. highly recommended Classic

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An overview of 48 "laws" and historical examples

What did you like most about The 48 Laws of Power?

This book has a simple structure that is easy to follow with simple "laws" that delve into historical events and demonstrates 48 individual "laws of power".

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book makes reference to many famous figures throughout including John D Rockerfeller, Cleopatra, Elizabeth I and many many more.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Law 41 was a good one with a good example.

The Law is "Avoid stepping into a great mans shows". This "law" gave a good account of Alexander The Great and the fact that he wanted to be a different ruler from his father. His appetite to not step into his fathers shoes meant that he was able to create a greater legacy than his father could have ever dreamed of creating and guaranteed that he wrote his name into the history books.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

A good listen. The "laws of power" and historical references provide a snapshot of a point of view where influence and power was gained by obeying each of the 48 laws. In parts the links between the laws and the historical references are tenuous and the laws themselves have to be taken with a pinch of salt at times, but it's a good book to broaden the knowledge of power and influence.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A good listen

A good listen. Some of the stories are a bit hard to follow. Also the chapters don't have titles, what's that about? Overall a good book. Each law could probably be books in themselves. Of course at the end you're reminded of the paradox that you should forget what rules you've learned and adapt to the situation at hand.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Evil Genius!

One of the best books i have read in the past decade -- more educational than a pair of uneducated parents. Robert Greene, you are one evil genius. Having read it twice I can simply say this is a guidebook to politicians as Bible / Quran are to Christians / Muslims. Keep up the good work. I look forward to your next book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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To learn power one must read book


If it is power you seek look no further than this book to teach you the rules of how to play this game with a velvet glove covering your hand good luck and I wish you many fortunes listen and you shall learn

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Review

Gives you a perspective that you may not think about.
Also use ful historical examples helps a lot to understand the concept of each law.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliance

powerful stuff to be used wisely.
this will allow Triumph in life and business

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