The 48 Laws of Power. Professionally spiraled and resold by a third party. This spiraled book is not necessarily affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized by the publisher, distributor, or author.
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34 reviews for The 48 Laws of Power
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Donna Powell –
Great read very powerful read. Life skills and growth
Creative Reviews –
This book is a masterclass in understanding how influence works. Robert Greene uses historical examples to illustrate laws that feel just as relevant today as they were centuries ago. While some of the laws feel a bit intense, it’s an incredible tool for learning how to navigate complex social and professional situations. It definitely changes the way you look at everyday interactions.
MARCELO PEDRINI –
Highly recommend
onevoguer –
Rekommenderas varmt, underbar Bok, Tack Säljaren o Amazon.
Frankie Eubanas –
Found it very drawn out and boring , I actually stopped reading it
Creative Reviews –
Introduction:
Today’s world is full of individuals who will lie, cheat, and steal to take the clothes off your back. They will go to any length to manipulate you or others around you, twisting the truth and bending others to their every whim. Undoubtedly, ‘you’ who is drawn to this book, have experienced the misfortune of being victimized by one of these individuals.
Perhaps you have thought to yourself…
“They’re always 2 steps ahead!”
“Somehow, they made ‘me’ look like the bad guy!”
“Eventually they’re going to get fired for this!”
You always find yourself playing defense, you never know what they’re going to do next, and you simply cannot understand why another person would be so horrible.
Take your power back – Read this book!
“What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power in man…” – Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Antichrist. 1888.
Synopsis:
The 48 Laws of Power is a book comprised of tactics, concepts, and lessons which successfully created or maintained power. Supported with stories from history, both modern and ancient, from the most powerful people and empires which have ever existed, each chapter is crammed page to page with value. For 430 pages you will be inundated with information which is crucial for all of life’s situations where power plays a dynamic (work, social hierarchies, politics, etc.). Written with “the old aristocratic courts” as the backdrop and Machiavelli to set the scenery, this book contends with our darkest inner thoughts during our least favorite interactions with those who have more power than us.
Things I love:
Writing – The writing is very casual so that it is available to the widest possible audience. It can be read easily, flowing almost as smoothly as regular conversation. You will not be left wondering what a word meant or stopping yourself to grab a dictionary.
Printing – This book has some extremely creative printing, placing supporting stories, poems, proverbs and more in the margin and printing “images” using text at the end of each law for visualizing a concept. I have not seen anything similar in a formal book like this.
Information – Clearly all 48 Laws took an extremely long time to compile and write. You simply cannot comb the annals of history for compelling stories, retelling them concisely, in a brief period of time. This book is a labor of love, and it shows in every chapter.
Originality – This book comes off as very genuine and creative. Everything about it from the cover, the red text inside, the formatting, it’s all unique. You can tell a lot of thought was put forth to conceptualize this work.
Who Should Listen Instead of Read:
Relevant to everyone, “The 48 Laws of Power” is excellent, however I believe there are a few people who would not enjoy their time reading this book.
– If you do not enjoy reading or learning history, this book will be difficult for you. The main content of the text consists of historical examples. The book is of medium length at 430 pages, so if this sounds like you, consider switching to audio.
– As mentioned above the text is 430 pages, so if you simply do not have the time in your day to dedicate to reading, you will spend a long time on this book. Again, in this instance I recommend switching to audio for efficiency.
Note: My product images were taken after reading the entire book over many months. The book was flawless when first received.
T. J –
Excelente leitura. Muito instrutiva e relecante
Amawin Dissanayake –
The book has good points, however at the middle the book is missing laws 30-33 and laws 22-26 are repeating after each other. Not sure how this printing error came but yeah
MARCELO PEDRINI –
I recommend reading 1 law per day, as there is A Lot to digest, and you need to absorb what your read before going to the next chapter.
Lois hall –
I picked this book up for $1, proof that there is no correlation between cost and value.
This would be the book that Machievelli would have written, had he courted the Aristocracy of his times, rather than attempting to ingratiate the Prince.
The author gives a hint to his motivations for this composition when he states in his acknowledgments:
“Finally, to those people in my life who have so skillfully used the game of power to manipulate, torture and cause me pain over the years, I bear you no grudges and I thank you for supplying me with the inspiration for the 48 Laws of Power.”
This book is cathartic. But before diving deeper, a reader should be prepared to entertain the following ideas:
1. A Human being is no more than a sophisticated animal with self-interest as the primary motivator
2. Everyone wants more power, not less
3. Be true to yourself first and foremost, don’t be a sucker
4. Power is a game and the better you play, the better your life will be
5. Power is essentially amoral and one of the most important skills to acquire is the ability to see circumstances rather than good or evil
6. To triumph, it is necessary alternate between being both cunning and formless
7. Beyond linear dualities of good and evil, there is a third dimension, the strategists’ mind
8. The indirect path, that of influence is more effective and the use of it is an art
If you can live with the above, the 48 laws of power serves as a handbook on the arts of indirection.
This book argues that by mastering ones emotions, understanding the people involved and the fundamental dynamics of interrelationships within society determine the extent of ones accomplishments. Power is ultimately an artificial construct, given legitimacy by the people who participate in the game.
We need power to survive in a competitive world that is constantly seeking to recruit us into the ambitions of others. We can drain our lives in the fulfillment of others, or best use our given life, energy and talents at our own discretion. Implicit to this design is the belief that society defaults a role to you, whether or not that role reflects your beliefs and understanding about yourself. A choice then has to be made on your part to accept such a role or to resist whether in an active or passive way. In the latter sense, one will turn upon themselves. It is better then to assert some degree of control by exercising influence and demonstrating an identity that is consistent with the person whom we feel ourselves to be, in other words, to actualize ones’ self. Although this end state transcends any particular identification, characterization or ego, the path to it requires a struggle and this book is about the methods and devices used by successful participants. The good news is, the struggle can be worthwhile, rewarding and the unexpected consequences enlightening.
The perfect archetypical master of the laws of power is the Courtier, who possesses more than anything, a talent to influence. Cognizant of how he is perceived at all times in a socially competitive world, the Courtier is ever vigilant to monitor his own effect, ever mindful of the elusiveness of power. I believe that this is what the author means by the Courtiers mirror.
The core realization is that more than anything, human beings are the most social of animals, so it goes without saying that the most socially adapted animal attains the best that life has to offer. Human beings also possess Consciousness to such a heightened degree, that they can deliberately break and follow a path in defiance to their instincts and conditioned or learned behaviors, unlike animals.
In a paradoxical way, learning to play the game of power teaches virtues of mindfulness, patience and mastering ones ego. In this sense, the book permits another legitimate path to the completion of ones life without blindly accepting a given religion.
Well written, argued and referenced, it is abundantly clear how the author reaches his conclusions. It is highly accessible and well digested for the reader. There is a great deal of truth to the idea that a book serves as a mirror for the reader and I am hard pressed to argue against the wisdom contained in this manual. There is great peace of mind to be had from accepting fundamental truths.
Some would read this book and walk away with the impression that this is a “how to” on manipulation. Beware of such people, as their delusions make them a danger to themselves and anyone who places trust in them. You need not become a con artist to derive benefit from what is contained here. The laws of cause and effect and the aphorism of “Know thyself” are embedded as living proof, ignore them to your peril.
Hansel –
Reading through the book you’ll quickly see where you’ve gone wrong in a lot of ventures. Reading this book has really helped me with my career.
I’ve been sacked twice in my career. I never understood why, I was great at my job. I’ve always been very technical. Rule #1, never outshine your master. I always had a great relationship with my boss’ boss. They could see my technical ability. But I’ve rarely gotten on with my manager. I thought my doing my job well that I would be okay but no. When trouble arose I would just do more work and do it better which made things worse as it made my manager even more secure. It reaches a point when your manager looks for the smallest excuse to bad mouth you to their boss. In a nutshell, don’t outshine your master. I find that tough, but if the greatest artists and professionals of the past can humble themselves, then so can you.
Jessica –
Found it very drawn out and boring , I actually stopped reading it
Paul Neilson –
An interesting and fun read. Recommended
Ilias –
Excelente leitura. Muito instrutiva e relecante
Darius Alford –
Every one of us secretly desire to hold Power.As human beings we always wish to have our way and expect other’s to follow us and holding power is the best means in having our way.It instills fear or awe in others,making most of the job easier, and the great feeling of wow! — as nothing can be more stronger or powerful .The 48 laws of Power by Robert Greene is all about
gaining Power by various means and enjoying its fruits .The laws are defined by taking key points from the ancient past to that of the modern day world, where the laws mentioned are followed by various references to the people who attained power through different means viz fighting wars,ruling ruthlessly,conning successfully,leaving a mark of their own through painting,writing and so on.These references help to understand the laws of gaining power in different ways as well as act as a tip to the readers in guarding against falling prey to scams and tricks.The laws while dwelling deep in to the human nature,brings out various aspects of manipulation,selfishness,deceit,treachery,back stabbing,masking the real intent ,conning,tricking and many more things.These laws act as a tool in understanding the mind games being played in different situations at different places by different people.On hindsight when I look into my past,I personally felt the laws giving me the clarity,much to my satisfaction and perhaps may aid in my future decisions.The stories like that of Arnold and Slack (P158,L21) or Sheriff Richard’s and Lustig (the conman (P74,L9))are not only informative but much fun to read.and laugh.
A book that increases your knowledge of power,subtle actions of the people around and their nuanced meaning behind it.Ultimately though the laws reflect individuals personal benefit and even show the ‘basic instincts’ , of humans in seeking power but also enrich the readers with knowledge of power I.e the power to see through the masked faces of others and act .A book that fills the reader’s with admiration and respect for the writer for the enormous amount of information and the profound meaning behind each law. A ‘must-read’, book to be read multiple times to understand the Power. and finally,quoting one of my favourite quote mentioned in the book (L19,pg-138) — “When you meet a swordsman.draw your sword.Do not recite poetry to one who is not a poet.
Ilias –
Great book and definitely worth reading. It’s interesting, easy to get into, and gives a lot to think about when it comes to people, power and strategy. Some parts are a bit intense, but overall it’s a really engaging read and a good book to have on the shelf. Definitely worth 5 stars.
Finn Barry –
Great book and definitely worth reading. It’s interesting, easy to get into, and gives a lot to think about when it comes to people, power and strategy. Some parts are a bit intense, but overall it’s a really engaging read and a good book to have on the shelf. Definitely worth 5 stars.
Creative Reviews –
This is a great book and an easy, enjoyable read. It provides a lot of valuable knowledge and useful information. The packaging was excellent, and the book arrived quickly and in great condition. Overall, a fantastic purchase and definitely worth reading!
MARCELO PEDRINI –
Great book. My 16-year-old son specifically asked for it and was very happy with it, which says a lot.
It’s engaging and thought-provoking, and clearly kept his interest. A good choice for those looking to read something a bit more insightful.
Also arrived sooner than expected.
DolaBhai –
If you want to know what Power truly is and how. to win people I would say read this book and read it with “How to Win friends and Influence People”. These two books have changed my life.
Amazon Customer –
Great book read and learn
Sudhakar kadiyala –
É tudo oque falam sobre, recomendo!
RaMar –
My favourite book and I love the book cover. Thank you
Amazon Customer –
This book is full of timeless lessons about strategy, influence, and human behavior. The examples are engaging, and each chapter offers valuable insights that can be applied in business and everyday life. It’s well written, thought-provoking, and definitely worth reading more than once
New Zealand 73 –
I bought this book as I had a previous copy and heard the special edition was really impressive. Such an incredible edition and super high end. So glad I got it – the book is really important if you’re into business or want to improve your career. Incredible knowledge and worth every cent, for what you’ll gain from it.
Tai –
Very informative
Ilias –
I purchased this book not that much excited of its content.
Reading the first few chapters, i have come to the reliazation that the things we do intuitively are parts of the bigger game of power. The game is there even you dont see it. It is better to be awakened than blind.
Most controlling people might say that this book has nothing to offer etc etc.
If you are genuinely a good person with good intention this book is for you. Save yourself some future hustle in the alleys of power and control.
Best one of my purchases 2021.
John Doe –
Super insightful book.
It was a very entertaining read, and highlighted the importance of power in modern society. The book includes stories relating to the law in question, which I found very interesting and insightful.
Strongly recommend to anyone.
Kindle Customer –
I purchased this book not that much excited of its content.
Reading the first few chapters, i have come to the reliazation that the things we do intuitively are parts of the bigger game of power. The game is there even you dont see it. It is better to be awakened than blind.
Most controlling people might say that this book has nothing to offer etc etc.
If you are genuinely a good person with good intention this book is for you. Save yourself some future hustle in the alleys of power and control.
Best one of my purchases 2021.
Andre Jones –
I picked this book up for $1, proof that there is no correlation between cost and value.
This would be the book that Machievelli would have written, had he courted the Aristocracy of his times, rather than attempting to ingratiate the Prince.
The author gives a hint to his motivations for this composition when he states in his acknowledgments:
“Finally, to those people in my life who have so skillfully used the game of power to manipulate, torture and cause me pain over the years, I bear you no grudges and I thank you for supplying me with the inspiration for the 48 Laws of Power.”
This book is cathartic. But before diving deeper, a reader should be prepared to entertain the following ideas:
1. A Human being is no more than a sophisticated animal with self-interest as the primary motivator
2. Everyone wants more power, not less
3. Be true to yourself first and foremost, don’t be a sucker
4. Power is a game and the better you play, the better your life will be
5. Power is essentially amoral and one of the most important skills to acquire is the ability to see circumstances rather than good or evil
6. To triumph, it is necessary alternate between being both cunning and formless
7. Beyond linear dualities of good and evil, there is a third dimension, the strategists’ mind
8. The indirect path, that of influence is more effective and the use of it is an art
If you can live with the above, the 48 laws of power serves as a handbook on the arts of indirection.
This book argues that by mastering ones emotions, understanding the people involved and the fundamental dynamics of interrelationships within society determine the extent of ones accomplishments. Power is ultimately an artificial construct, given legitimacy by the people who participate in the game.
We need power to survive in a competitive world that is constantly seeking to recruit us into the ambitions of others. We can drain our lives in the fulfillment of others, or best use our given life, energy and talents at our own discretion. Implicit to this design is the belief that society defaults a role to you, whether or not that role reflects your beliefs and understanding about yourself. A choice then has to be made on your part to accept such a role or to resist whether in an active or passive way. In the latter sense, one will turn upon themselves. It is better then to assert some degree of control by exercising influence and demonstrating an identity that is consistent with the person whom we feel ourselves to be, in other words, to actualize ones’ self. Although this end state transcends any particular identification, characterization or ego, the path to it requires a struggle and this book is about the methods and devices used by successful participants. The good news is, the struggle can be worthwhile, rewarding and the unexpected consequences enlightening.
The perfect archetypical master of the laws of power is the Courtier, who possesses more than anything, a talent to influence. Cognizant of how he is perceived at all times in a socially competitive world, the Courtier is ever vigilant to monitor his own effect, ever mindful of the elusiveness of power. I believe that this is what the author means by the Courtiers mirror.
The core realization is that more than anything, human beings are the most social of animals, so it goes without saying that the most socially adapted animal attains the best that life has to offer. Human beings also possess Consciousness to such a heightened degree, that they can deliberately break and follow a path in defiance to their instincts and conditioned or learned behaviors, unlike animals.
In a paradoxical way, learning to play the game of power teaches virtues of mindfulness, patience and mastering ones ego. In this sense, the book permits another legitimate path to the completion of ones life without blindly accepting a given religion.
Well written, argued and referenced, it is abundantly clear how the author reaches his conclusions. It is highly accessible and well digested for the reader. There is a great deal of truth to the idea that a book serves as a mirror for the reader and I am hard pressed to argue against the wisdom contained in this manual. There is great peace of mind to be had from accepting fundamental truths.
Some would read this book and walk away with the impression that this is a “how to” on manipulation. Beware of such people, as their delusions make them a danger to themselves and anyone who places trust in them. You need not become a con artist to derive benefit from what is contained here. The laws of cause and effect and the aphorism of “Know thyself” are embedded as living proof, ignore them to your peril.
Ilias –
The book is perfect
onevoguer –
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is an extraordinary exploration of human behavior, strategy, and influence that reads like a timeless manual for understanding ambition. Each law is richly illustrated through captivating historical examples, from royal courts to modern politics, revealing how power is built, lost, and reclaimed. The writing is elegant, precise, and deeply thought-provoking, encouraging reflection on both personal conduct and professional relationships. What makes this book stand out is its remarkable ability to connect centuries of wisdom into practical, modern relevance. I found that many of the laws can be extrapolated into everyday life—such as learning to “say less than necessary” to maintain composure in difficult conversations, or “plan all the way to the end” when organizing a creative project or major goal. While the content can feel intense or even ruthless at times, Greene’s intent is to illuminate the mechanisms of power rather than glorify them. The structure makes it easy to revisit and reference, with each law offering concise lessons supported by real-world context. It’s a brilliant read for those who want to deepen their understanding of leadership, persuasion, and human dynamics. A masterpiece of insight that challenges the reader to think critically about the role of power in all aspects of life.
Summary:
The 48 Laws of Power is a brilliant and provocative guide to influence and leadership, offering lessons that can be applied to both personal and professional growth. One memorable story features Queen Elizabeth I, who retained power through calculated restraint, and another of P.T. Barnum, who transformed perception into profit. These anecdotes highlight how self-awareness, strategy, and timing shape success. While the book’s wisdom is enduring, a few examples lean heavily on feudal politics and repetitive cautionary themes, which can feel dated compared to today’s collaborative environments. Still, its insights into human behavior remain profoundly relevant.
anthony smalls –
The 48 Laws of Power is one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read. It gives a deep look into human behavior, influence, leadership, and the way power works in real life. The historical examples throughout the book make each lesson interesting and easy to understand, and the writing keeps you engaged from beginning to end.
What I liked most is that the book doesn’t just talk about gaining power — it also teaches you how to recognize manipulation, avoid common mistakes, and better understand the motives of others. Some laws are intense and controversial, but they definitely make you think differently about relationships, business, leadership, and everyday interactions.
This isn’t a book you rush through once. It’s the type of book you revisit because there’s always something new to take away from it. Whether you agree with every law or not, it offers valuable insight into strategy, confidence, and human nature.
Overall, a fascinating and memorable read that challenges the way you see the world and the people around you.
Creative Reviews –
Introduction:
Today’s world is full of individuals who will lie, cheat, and steal to take the clothes off your back. They will go to any length to manipulate you or others around you, twisting the truth and bending others to their every whim. Undoubtedly, ‘you’ who is drawn to this book, have experienced the misfortune of being victimized by one of these individuals.
Perhaps you have thought to yourself…
“They’re always 2 steps ahead!”
“Somehow, they made ‘me’ look like the bad guy!”
“Eventually they’re going to get fired for this!”
You always find yourself playing defense, you never know what they’re going to do next, and you simply cannot understand why another person would be so horrible.
Take your power back – Read this book!
“What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power in man…” – Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Antichrist. 1888.
Synopsis:
The 48 Laws of Power is a book comprised of tactics, concepts, and lessons which successfully created or maintained power. Supported with stories from history, both modern and ancient, from the most powerful people and empires which have ever existed, each chapter is crammed page to page with value. For 430 pages you will be inundated with information which is crucial for all of life’s situations where power plays a dynamic (work, social hierarchies, politics, etc.). Written with “the old aristocratic courts” as the backdrop and Machiavelli to set the scenery, this book contends with our darkest inner thoughts during our least favorite interactions with those who have more power than us.
Things I love:
Writing – The writing is very casual so that it is available to the widest possible audience. It can be read easily, flowing almost as smoothly as regular conversation. You will not be left wondering what a word meant or stopping yourself to grab a dictionary.
Printing – This book has some extremely creative printing, placing supporting stories, poems, proverbs and more in the margin and printing “images” using text at the end of each law for visualizing a concept. I have not seen anything similar in a formal book like this.
Information – Clearly all 48 Laws took an extremely long time to compile and write. You simply cannot comb the annals of history for compelling stories, retelling them concisely, in a brief period of time. This book is a labor of love, and it shows in every chapter.
Originality – This book comes off as very genuine and creative. Everything about it from the cover, the red text inside, the formatting, it’s all unique. You can tell a lot of thought was put forth to conceptualize this work.
Who Should Listen Instead of Read:
Relevant to everyone, “The 48 Laws of Power” is excellent, however I believe there are a few people who would not enjoy their time reading this book.
– If you do not enjoy reading or learning history, this book will be difficult for you. The main content of the text consists of historical examples. The book is of medium length at 430 pages, so if this sounds like you, consider switching to audio.
– As mentioned above the text is 430 pages, so if you simply do not have the time in your day to dedicate to reading, you will spend a long time on this book. Again, in this instance I recommend switching to audio for efficiency.
Note: My product images were taken after reading the entire book over many months. The book was flawless when first received.