Synopsis

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, The 48 Laws of Power is the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control. 

In the book that People magazine proclaimed “beguiling” and “fascinating,” Robert Greene and Joost Elffers have distilled three thousand years of the history of power into 48 essential laws by drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl Von Clausewitz and also from the lives of figures ranging from Henry Kissinger to P.T. Barnum.

Some laws teach the need for prudence (“Law 1: Never Outshine the Master”), others teach the value of confidence (“Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness”), and many recommend absolute self-preservation (“Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally”). Every law, though, has one thing in common: an interest in total domination. In a bold and arresting two-color package, The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game.

Tom’s Take:              

By far, this book is one that I have gone back to the most in my executive leadership library.  I would suggest getting a hardcopy as the juxtaposition of Greene’s narratives and quotes from historical leaders, facts and data all tell a better story in print. While this book gives a good foundation to understand how power works, how to harness it and use it for good, it also serves as a warning of when power is used for nefariousness. It’s a dense read, but one that should stick with you for years to come as the writing, examples and content are timeless.