Summary of The 48 Laws of Power

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obert Greene is a New York Times bestselling author whose bestselling work has covered a wide range of pervasive and entrancing topics such as power and seduction, using history to support his assertions about how to implement philosophy and the successes of others to ensure the readers’ modern success. “The 48 Laws of Power” is the culmination of thousands of years of philosophy and the success of business giants such as P.T. Barnum; each section represents a “law”, which the author details with minute and precise reflection. The author details such compelling claims such as concealing one’s intentions, taking credit for work that others complete, and avoiding commitment to another. The heavily Machiavelli-influenced titles, while shocking to some, have been lauded by others as life-changing and rules to live by. As the author explains in the preface, seeming too power hungry is dangerous; in order to combat the fear and desperation of being powerless without being perceived as a danger, one must be subtle. Greene’s assertion to be “democratic yet devious” seems pervasive; the theme of duplicity is heavy throughout the novel, weighing decisions about important things such as business and interpersonal relationships. Greene recalls the intrigue of court, a long-past environment that he asserts has morphed into something entirely new in the modern world. The propriety of not making violent and overt moves while scheming to push others aside is, as the author explains, a dynamic that continues in the business world and industries such as