 "If you do these things you will end up with NO power." | 2008-09-23 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2MH7EV3DSRNKK |
| Everyone can see through a snake, if not now then eventually. You can fool some people for a short time, but never for long- and the cost is that you need to always be acting and presenting such a lie to the world that it isn't worth it. Think about the people who you know that are using these principles.. dont you see how you would honestly rather see them fall down an elevator shaft than be successful? Well- everyone will eventually feel that way about YOU if you read this book and apply it. Perhaps that should be its title- "Ruin everyones trust in you, and make people want you to fall down an elevator shaft". Confucius calls moral power "te" and says that it can only be gained by virtuous action. It is the only real power and it can only be based in what is virtuous. If you do what is good, then people will see it and reward you. If you do what is evil and pretend it is good, people will eventually see through you and want revenge for you treating them like a fool. If you want real power, realize that if you do these things you will end up thinking the world is always out to get you, with no power whatsoever. If you really want power, learn that virtue IS power, and if you fight THIS ACTUAL LAW, and subscribe to these fake ones, you will end up quite pathetic- always lying to present someone you are not out of insecurity about who you really are. In short you will end up with absolutely no power but very lonely if you do these things. |
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 "My Former Bible" | 2008-08-27 |
| - Reviewed By eyesmalloy |
Only two types of people have been and will be attracted to reading this book: those who hope it's about one thing and those who know it's about the other. The former belong to the timid, powerless, low-self esteem majority who are simply looking for the ultimate guide to gaining respect and admiration from their peers. The latter belong to the unscrupulous, dare I say sociopathic ever-growing minority whose end goal is to win at everything against everyone by any means. Once the book has been read and fully digested, one of two conclusions will be reached. The first is a sudden awareness of what a perfectly outstanding tool they hold in their hands and the limitless rewards it can afford them. The second is an absolute disgust and horror at what a dangerous volume this is and the malicious behavior it outright encourages. Interestingly, the timid are no always the ones repulsed and the ruthless are not always the ones aroused. The wave can break either way.
Shortly after this book was published, I happened upon it in a bookstore and knew I had to have it. A blaze of energy electrified my body and pounded through the deepest recesses of my mind. I was on fire, I couldn't put it down and yet I knew I could never share it with anyone, the way a child might hide away their favorite toy. In truth I became obsessed. I had to learn and then master every element of every law and take supreme authority over every aspect of my life. Indeed, this book, The 48 Laws of Power, became my bible, the most passionate conquest I had ever sought to undertake.
Within its pages I met with the reflection of every gruesome bully and every merry manipulator I had ever known. Their power was uncanny and yet so mysterious, mostly because I could never fathom how such apparently absent minds could lay so cool yet strike with such venom. It was awe-inspiring, and I had to come to terms with their secrets. The secrets that earned them respect from their enemies and fear from their admirers. The secrets that won them the most buxom women, who always appeared so entranced by even their rudest and most audacious displays. "How could they get away with everything so smoothly?!" I had wondered. "How could they be so desirable?!" I had thought. "HOW?!"
Well...here is how. It is simple.
Some people are given to a heredity and/or an upbringing that nourishes what is commonly considered 'bad' behavior. Certain genes as well as certain parenting styles perpetuate an attitude of unruliness which leads in its purest variety to utter contempt for anyone else's thoughts, feelings, or needs. Their minds develop without a balanced set of experiences, leading them to logically conclude that the information that they did receive must indeed be correct. This is also applicable to those who suffer violence in their youth, even if that violence is not carried out physically. The fact remains that whatever world with which one is presented is accepted as unmitigated truth. 'Bad' behavior is usually viewed by such a person as normal. Thus selfishness, cruelty, and manipulation are seen as strengths, while compassion, kindness and humility are seen as weaknesses.
Surely there are a bevy of other factors that cannot go without mention. High intelligence, a pleasing appearance, a particular talent, et cetra can all act as lauchpads for immorality if similar virtues in others go unrecognized as being equal. This sense of equality is what it all comes down to, in fact. The very idea of power assumes that another cannot or should not be in a position to where the perspectives of both can be viewed as equally valid. On the one end is the person who is possessed by their own image, on the other is the person who believes that they have no intrinsic worth at all. The two feed off of each other in a sadistic/masochistic symbiotic relationship. The point then comes to bear that a person who believes himself powerful only remains so long as the other believes the same thing. Put two people who both see power as the ultimate attainment and you have the setting for the average business affair. From here, only two things can happen. One will cave, allowing the other to dominate, or neither party will cave, effectively precipitating resentment and rage within both. The former leads to a continuation of the cycle, the latter leads to war.
This book is extremely well-researched and well-written, which is why I still give it three stars. But you must beware of your intentions. Buy this book if you don't care about anyone but yourself, and it pleases you to see another man crumble. Do not buy this book if you have even the slightest interest in saving yourself from years of unnecessary struggle. Remember that the wave does break both ways, and you do not know who you may become if you toss your ethics in the wastebasket. Needless to say, I was the timid one who was sick of being overlooked, but in the end, it was this book that I tossed into the wastebasket. Your call.
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 "Smart Book" | 2008-07-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: ADIP49AC70V4Y |
| Very smart book. Has some very unique and useful tools. I don't agree with everything but I like the book and I will use some parts. I try to treat people as I would have them treat me....The Golden Rule. But with trouble makers or bad people this book can be very helpful. |
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| "48 Laws of Power" | 2008-07-02 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2CC69Y3PQ9CU8 |
| Decent book but all the laws aint the greatest. Follow this book and you can get killed. |
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 "Is this really the answer?" | 2008-06-25 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2RK9Y87J9TJAG |
Many people have found books like these, essentially "how to manipulate people," to be useful in achieving certain goals. However, in my experiences, people that succeed through these techniques almost always seem to grow a void within themselves. One might be able to convince others to the point of submission, but are they really happy? Books like these do not offer advice on life balance and personal relationships. Do people really like you? What do others really think of you and your ideas?
Another point to think about, to take from Stephen Covey: How many on their deathbeds wished they'd spent more time at the office? Even Maslow at the end of his life put the happiness and fulfillment and contributions of his posterity (self-transcendence) at the top of his famous "hierarchy." What kind of overall life balance will manipulation techniques bring you?
Take into consideration another alternative: Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This book gives ideas on how to look at the world and yourself, and gives basis for a lifelong challenge in personal change. Practicing these habits can give you the "manipulation" you want through building genuine relationships all while being able to sleep at night knowing that you have real friends, self worth, and above all, a positive life balance. |
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| "Attention Manipulators!!" | 2008-06-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A383QUQNDTWOB |
I cringe. Is there really a craze behind this deceptively inspirational book? People, people, people - WAKE UP!! This book clearly needs to be titled "The Art of Manipulation" or maybe "How to Be a Robot" oh, I got it, "No, I will NOT Work Hard, Treat Others Right, or Be Honest!" The author did this one thing - dusted off the dictionary to teach those on the quest for power (I'll get into that in a second) how to be lazy, mindless manipulators who operate without any integrity. This book;s "laws" (ha! Is that what they are supposed to be?) contradict themselves. If in fact this is how corporate America's finest have achived their "success", then NO WONDER we have infamous cases like Enron, etc. Surely, people who live by these idiotic statements of immorality, oops, I mean "laws" will reap what they sow. THIS is what our society offers us and we gobble it up like it was the hidden golden treasure. What??!! This book covers itself up to be promoted toward the power-seeker, THEN when you get inside, it slowly and cunningly advises you how to be an easy-street-seeker.
Power-hungry folks are no different than someone with a Napolean complex. Trying to compensate for who you really aren't. BUT there's Hope!!
Work hard. Treat people fairly. Live an honest life. Then, people will SEE your example, respect you and others will want to "pour out blessings unto your bosom"!! Even if they don't you can sleep at night. Be on guard for people trying to set you up for a life that will most certainly backfire. You deserve so much more than that. God bless YOU!
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| "Buy this book, and read it in secret!" | 2008-06-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2KWXA4VG7MNK5 |
If you watch TV news and movies and believe the Forrest Gump morality out there, that "people will be good to you if you're good to them" or that
"if you can't trust your friends, whom can you trust?", then you need
to read this book and wake up and smell the coffee. Tired of the self-help books telling you that all you need to do to get ahead is just be a better,
bigger person? Garbage, right? After all, you know the types that get promoted are just obsequious backstabbers, right? You are right. Power
is a game, and they are playing it, while you sit there hoping the world will get right with your "morality", the same morality, by the way, which we often hear from the lips of the disenfranchised? Coincidence? No. It's because when people refuse to play the power game, they will only be isolated and victimized by it. If you're relying on your friends, others' good will and your sense of justice and morality to get by in life, then you had best buy this book, because it will teach you the errors of your ways. Even if you don't want to be "powerful" but simply wish to protect yourself, you need to read this. Otherwise, you'll be wondering (like I did) how come the world is not recognizing my achievements, my due merits, or why do bad things happen to good people?
This book is THE modern Machiavelli primer on power. Read it and understand how the world really works. |
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| "An amazing work of written genius." | 2008-06-15 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1GHA9CG0FPN65 |
| This book distills the essence of power and also gives the reader concrete ways to augment their presence in a world hungry for power. |
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| "Yawn" | 2008-06-14 |
| - Reviewed By User: A197IE826EIWPI |
| Nutshell review - a long winded book about how to (purportedly) gain power over others (and hence how they may gain power over you). All the laws could have been described in a few pages but are stretched over almost 500 pages with examples taken from history (nice if you like lots of stories). Negative view of people based on the assumption that all anyone wants is power. |
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| "Out-Machiavellis Machiavelli" | 2008-06-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1UBV9BY9HU6JP |
It's just too dark. He should have titled it "48 despicable ways of gaining power". I mean, there are all kinds of virtuous or morally neutral ways of gaining power, but Greene relishes the ruthless and cutthroat. It's for this reason alone that the book doesn't deliver on its promise: If you lived these laws like a master, you'd lose all your friends, and gain so many enemies you'd die young and have people cheering and dancing on your grave. That's not a path to long-term power.
However, the book is really interesting to read. I loved reading all the historical examples of power-plays. The only flaw with this is that his source-material for history is pretty limited. It's like he studied just five different historical subjects and draws all his laws just from those five. Still, all these examples were very interesting and instructive. Although I liked it, I think it made me irreparably more cynical. That's good in some senses, but has been bad in others. |
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