48 Laws Of Power – Book Review
Reading time: 2 – 2 minutes
I don’t know how this book came across my desk but I am pretty sure it was when I was making my daily stop at Barnes & Nobles. Now this book I must’ve read at least 4 times over and over. I couldn’t believe one cat got enough notes and anger to really create a book that damn near is the keys to the kingdom. Years later I still pick up this book for reference whenever I think I encounter something this cat tells you how to get around…
I actually bought 10 of them and sent this book to my friends and urged them to read it. I got so many cats calling me back thanking me for putting them onto it that I felt like I gave them a stock tip! This book is by far the best effectiveness over emotion book ever written. This cat has history to back up his thinking and got so many chapters I bet you he wasn’t finished at 48 and he probably got 50 more that probably are too devious to let out…
This is the manipulators handbook! I didn’t let anyone who I thought was a naturally evil cat know about this book because it’s one of those don’t let it fall into the wrong hands kind of knowledge. Most cats read this passively but if you really applied what this cat is talking about it works. Yes, I tried damn near all of them and I still use them to this day whenever I dealing with a scenario involving Power!
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It’s cool that you didn’t give it to the devious cats. But they are not the ones who need to read it since manipulation seems to be inherently bred into them. This book is for people who need to be put up on game, so they can sidestep pitfalls and keep gettin paper.
It’s crazy when you see certain situations from the book play out in real life.
I purchased this book and have it on my “to read” list for the summer. I don’t know if I am going to get to it before labor day, but I sure will be reading it before the year is out. I start law in two weeks and I know that this is one book that my come in hand.
I heard it is a great book to read and to gain knowledge. I have read the 50th law co written by the same author of this book. The 50th law was a good read but i have a feeling that will never even come close to the 48 laws of power! i will need to get me a copy of it! Hey Freeman got any copies of the book left over! If so send me one! LOL just kidding!
this is the book that started it all for me……
@Crazy Braid Lady – Well I didn’t want to give it to them as the intent is all wrong. This book is for those who have to deal with other people and wish they knew the way to defeat them. It’s a great book for your defense when getting involved with other people..
@Book Snob – I highly recommend you read this before heading to Law School. You will see a lot of professors and a-hole students trying to manipulate you when you are in there. I wish I would’ve read it before I went to Law School.
Drop what you’re reading right now and finish this book first! It is a life changing read believe me!
@JR – Man I think you can find the book on the internet for free if you look for it. I like to have a copy myself for reference when dealing with people. I haven’t read the 50th law yet but it’s in the queue. And, yeah I don’t think it compares to the 48 Laws as that book is the Old Testament and everything that follows builds from this one.
@Aztek – If this what got you started then you must be coming with some heat. This is a rules to the game book and once you got it the world becomes easier. I suggest you cool down and get some moderate business books because you started off with the banger!
I purchased this book and read awhile ago I also have the audio version for work but I rather read it the audio the narrator has a boring voice. But I do pick it back up from time to time for reference reasons. He also has the 50th law with 50 cent its a good read also. Thanks Freeman
Yeah I have to pick up that 50th law to see if there’s something new to be gained. I don’t like audio books either as there’s no emotion when someone is just reading…
I’m going to be honest – I thought the book was effectual and I will explain why. The only thing the 48th laws made me realize is why so many people are walking around with this fake pretension of power.
This book made power to be about perception than what it really is, power. Real power can be as arrogant or as silent as it want because it real power puts out real power.
The best example I can give of real power is military dictatorships takes out the aristocrats in public and ruthless manners to show who is in charge. Now, I bet these aristocrats were very powerful to the peasants in terms of 48th laws of power, but that military leader demonstrated real power when he ordered all those aristocrats lined all against the walls to catch a hot one from a firing squad.
I was wondering why I saw so many cats around me who were obviously mediocre with a fake smirk on their face and this book made me realize why so many people are so worthless to the game today.
Real power is brute force and aggressive like cancer and hiv and it don’t need to apologize or create any kind of perception to anybody. If a cat is weak, their ass is weak no matter if they want to stay quiet or not. If a person got real knockdown juice like a Mike Tyson in the first round during his prime, that’s all that matters…
By nature, nothing can stop brute force except a more superior brute force to counter it. Just my humble opinion…
Man you have a different angle on Power than I do. Yes, I agree in a military like regime that these power tricks are done by those hoping to avoid military might but in the situation we are all currently under this book may help a cat maneuver through the minefield of a fallacy set up by others and protected by the misguided.
Sometimes power is the ability to be quiet and manipulate the masses by giving them the appearance of say in the world. The person who realize that and manipulates the same masses for their end will definitely rival those who set up the system in the first place!
Power is expressed differently depending on the exact ways of the game set up. Sometimes it’s brute force like on the street and sometimes it’s taking over and controlling the means of distribution like the entertainment industry.
Well, the only real solution is get real power. This book preaches “fake it till you make it” but what good is that when the person at the top got real power and got plenty of skulls of the fake cats trying to unsurp their position?
I agree with your example of distribution in the entertainment industry because this is the problem. The rapper think he drives a Rolls Royce that he got some perception of power while the distributor is smart enough to take a cut off every record this rapper sells and does nothing but cash checks.
I think cats need to understand the only way they can get to real power is to be about real power. We can’t fake it, we got to make it.
I think the book preaches how to get around those with power and to be effective. I don’t think anyone came out a loser in the book only those who couldn’t control their emotions and execute. Either way I think on the way to attaining real power you need to keep your intentions quiet so no one can expect you to be the next King! If someone used brute force with no real power they will just be killed off by those with it!
Power is built on having a foundation of some sort whether it’s money, muscle, patents/trademarks, exclusive contracts or creating a group like a oligarchy. Until a cat starts building in that direction the only power he is displaying is his mouth which can be shut up any time the person with real power decides to.
I got to chime in on the Power thing. Power is not always in might but being able to avoid might so you don’t have to fight. Isn’t that what manipulation is about being able to make people do what you want without making them aware? I think that’s pretty powerful.
Power is the ability to make things happen your way so whatever form it takes on is not as important as the outcome. Sometimes we get caught up in the outward appearance of power when in reality it’s as quiet as you not knowing all of the sandwiches are made at one place for the whole city. We definitely need to expand our understanding of Power.
Sorry, being able to avoid might is not power..it is admitting an inferior position of weakness and in fact, a person is doing nothing but acknowledging the real power out there and it ain’t them.
One of the things that keep coming up is this story of manipulating the powerful. If the powerful can be manipulated, then the reality is, they were never powerful and was playing the perception game right along with everyone else who happen to be in the same group.
Truth is power. Truth is in your face and telling you to deal with it. You can lie, play games, manipulate, create some wizard of oz perception but it ain’t the truth and it ain’t power. That’s just my humble opinion…and the truth! haha!
You might also want to read 33 Strategies of War, also by Robert Greene, it delves deeper into effectively strategizing your tactics before executing your plan. I’ve even found his book the Art of Seduction to be a good read; now that one utilizes the angle of manipulating a situation to your advantage both professionally and with the ladies.
The 33 are coming up for the exact reasons you are talking about. One of my boys stole my Art of Seduction before I could commit it to memory. This Greene guy is like a evil genius.