The 48 Laws of Power

My review of this very POWERFUL book:

5.0 out of 5 stars POWER-FULL, December 6, 2012

By

W. Powell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

 

This review is from: The 48 Laws of Power (Paperback)

Its simply a great book to have if you enjoy seeing power in action. "The 48 Laws of Power" by robert green shares hidden secrets about the ways and means of wielding power in order to obtain control and respect. After reading a few stories you realize just how pretentious persons in power can be. One learns that gaining power isn't so hard, but retaining it is what drives some men to dastardly destruction of place, peoples and self.

The trick to reading this book is not to get caught up in the character of historical figures, but instead observe the methods they employ to gain or lose power. I must say that I felt a little dirty, cold and cruel when reading about power. Power might scorch and/or inspire those it is held over, but the bearer of power must remain to himself a stoic, unmoved and unemotional victim of that he possesses; always watching, always calculating and never indulging completely in the fruits of his conquests. Power corrupts a soul.

A very readable book with legendary lessons from stories that span the history of civilization.

Law 19

Know who you're dealing with, do not offend the wrong person

There are many different kinds of people in the world and you can never assume that everyone will react to your strategies in the same way.  Deceive or outmaneuver some people and they will spend the rest of their lives seeking revenge.  They are wolves in lambs' clothing.  Choose your victims and opponents carefully, then - never offend or deceive the wrong person.

The Arrogant and Proud Man.
- although he may initially disguise it, this man's touchy pride makes him very dangerous.  Any perceived slight will lead to a vengeance of overwhelming violence.  You may say to yourself, "But I only said such-and-such at a party, where everyone was drunk..." It does not matter.  There is no sanity behind his overreaction so do not waste time trying to figure him out.  If at any point in your dealings with a person you sense an oversensitive and overactive pride, flee.  Whatever you are hoping for from him isn't worth it.

The Hopelessly Insecure Man.
- this man is related to the proud and arrogant type, but is less violent and harder to spot.  His ego is fragile, his sense of self insecure, and if he feels himself deceived or attacked, the hurt will simmer.  He will attack you in bites that will take forever to get big enough for you to notice.  If you find you have deceived or harmed such a man, disappear for a long time.  Do not stay around him or he will nibble you to death.

Mr. Suspicion.
- another variant on the breeds above, this is a future Joe Stalin.  He sees what he wants to see - usually the worst - in other people and imagines that everyone is after him.  Mr. Suspicion is in fact the least dangerous of the three: Genuinely unbalanced, he is easy to deceive, just as Stalin himself was constantly deceived.  Play on his suspicious nature to get him to turn against other people.  But if you do become the target of his suspicion's, watch out.

The Serpent with a Long Memory
- if hurt or deceived, this man will show no anger on the surface; he will calculate and wait.  Then, when he is in a position to turn the tables, he will exact a revenge marked by a cold-blooded shrewdness.  Recognize this man by his calculation and cunning in the different areas of his life.  He is usually cold and unaffectionate.  Be doubly careful of this snake, and if you have somehow injured him, either crush him completely or get him out of your sight.

The Plain, Unassuming, and Often Unintelligent Man.
- ah, your ears prick up when you find such a tempting victim. But this man is a lot harder to deceive than you imagine.  Falling for a ruse often takes intelligence and imagination - a sense of the possible rewards.  The blunt man will not take the bait because he does not recognize it.  He is that unaware.  The danger with this man is not that he will harm you or seek revenge, but merely that he will waste your time, energy, resources, and even your sanity in trying to deceive him.  Have a test ready for a mark - a joke, a story.  If his reaction is utterly literal, this is the type you are dealing with.  Continue at your own risk.