Book Review: The 48 Laws of Power

Author Dan on January 18th, 2006

While not a new book, The 48 Laws Of Power by Robert Greene is still a must read. Greene discusses 48 laws that will help you become powerful or maintain power.

Each chapter covers a different law of power, such as law #33: Discover each man’s thumbscrew. Greene provides at least one historical reference where the law worked, and at least one where it failed. He then reviews why they worked or failed, and when the law should be used or not used. The text is full of quotes and parables, and reading can be dry at times. Despite this I found it a very enjoyable and interesting book. It seemed easiest to read a chapter a day, thus reading it over a period of months. The combination of history, quotes, parables, fables, and poems brings power to a whole new light.

If you are interested in power (who isn’t?) this is a must read.