Who?
You should read this book if you’re interested in people, power, and politics.
When?
I would be interested to find out what a high schooler thinks of this book, but in reality, it’s probably best for someone early in their career.
Why?
Read this book if you want lots of historical examples of failed and successful power games.
Best Quote
Playing with appearances and mastering the arts of deception are among the aesthetic pleasures of life. They are also key components in the acquisition of power.
Review
The 48 Laws of Power sits best with readers that view life and relationships as more about power than about goodwill, karma, or doing what is right. That being said, the examples that Robert Greene gives are really interesting and educational for anyone looking to improve their standing in personal or professional relationships. You can easily take the stories from ancient China, or Italy, or other places and apply them to your every day life.
I caution readers of this book though that a lot of it comes across as heartless and honestly not a good fit for how I see the world. Nonetheless, there is a lot to learn…especially when you recognize that Robert Greene even states in the book that a leader is doing the best for himself and others when he uses all of his skills to his advantage because he can improve not only his own standing, but theirs as well.
Last Word
Read The 48 Laws of Power if you are interested in power games and how to improve your standing with power, attention, deception, and any other talents, but if you can’t handle a heartless read or an amoral examination of relationships, skip the book. It will be too hard to get through.
