The 48 Laws of Power

Written by Robert Greene

Narrated by Richard Poe

Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this multi-million-copy New York Times bestseller is the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control—from the author of The Laws of Human Nature.



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 forty-eight 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. The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Apr 5, 2007
• ISBN: 9781622318643

Robert Greene

Robert Greene is the author of three bestselling books: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, and The 33 Strategies of War. He attended U.C. Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he received a degree in classical studies. He has worked in New York as an editor and writer at several magazines, including Esquire, and in Hollywood as a story developer and writer. Greene has lived in London, Paris, and Barcelona; he speaks several languages and has worked as a translator. He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews for The 48 Laws of Power

[Ulises Gonzalez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best audiobooks you will find here, I really appreciate that they had the full length version of this, it is a great listen and highly recommend it!

[Julia Danvers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Probably the most useful unmagicky- thinking self help book I've ever read.

[gabrielle young · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very informative and relatable would definitely recommend to friends and family!

[Anthony Justin Howell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book for understanding people and their ways. I enjoyed it and I recognized some of those tactics that were deployed on me by "friends"

[krista.rutherford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One might say this book needed to be written. Taken at face value, it is cruel and amoral. Taken as an interpretation of history, politics, and personal conflicts, it is extraordinarily incisive and factual. A plethora of examples and anecdotes taken from all over the world and exemplified in various philosophical, political, and socio-economic schools of thought clearly demonstrate each point without betraying any particular bias. Written from a cynical angle, the book is about how to recognize, defend against, and be above the practice of these power plays, rather than about promoting antisocial behaviors.

[Justen Bausewein · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent historical references and naration matched perfectly with the content.

[Nicole · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Life changing, timeless insight into human nature. Beautifully narrated. I want to buy hard copy now

[lente_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Changed my mind, I thought it was a great book, but the content may be somewhat questionable after all.

[Emmanuela.samson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My third time reading this. The book is just amazing.

[iman ibrahim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Learned so much , I would highly recommend
This book

[mark_clarke_26 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Truly mind altering. Totally re-oriented my mindset for life, work, friendship and love!

[nayiadelgado17 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love it a really good book
100 recommend !!

[Samuel Baum · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book is not about growth or wisdom or genuine understanding of human behaviour, but a manual for manipulation, paranoia thinking. If you win, I loose mindset. It assumes everyone is selfish, deceitful and we all ought to play a power game.

To each their own I guess

[William Carter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book. Speaker spoke directly to my situations. One of the few books that I finished that I give close regard to the Holy Bible.

[ksean3527 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great Read Definitely going to recommend to anyone around me

[Rachel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you can get through it, it'll be one of the most powerful books you'll ever read!

[Willy Olguin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfection! It had everything that I wanted and hoped it would have

[david · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s one of those books i will read again and again.

[Kristina Ramcharan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I ABSOLUTELY ENJOYED THIS, I FOLLOWED WITH MY PHYSICAL BOOK AS WELL. EXCITED TO READ MASTERY AND OTHER TITLES BY ROBERT GREENE.

[Rajatheevan Sinnatamby · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing book filled with useful analysis of all of the proposed laws of power, breakdowns on historical examples of them being both applied and transgressed. A must read for everyone

[Pooja Mandal · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love the book, and loved the narration. Sir Richard Poe is one of the best readers of all time.

[Andrew Ogdeb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is masterfully put together. Beautiful literary illustrations of historical events to illuminate deep psychological concepts.

[Mwata Dunn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So much wisdom and knowledge that I can use in my daily life

[jasoipercjioapjriopjeadrvae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very long but lots of useful information to be had,would recommend to a friend

[nifayix · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

by reading this book you will definitely gain power in situations

[crispen mutasa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Most powerful laws power..intriguing. left me think about my weaknesses.

[Agnieszka Jakubowska · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book is very insightful in terms of people’s behaviour. Probably one of the best books I read.

[Matthew Sahagun · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This book is terrible. Not worth the time or effort.

[Nnennaya Fakoya-Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am going to get the hard copy and re-read + highlight all salient points. Worth every second of reading (listening)!

[Joseph Rwabutomize · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Well narrated.
Interesting concepts to ponder on.
Let me ponder on some of them