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Penguin

The 48 Laws of Power

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Format: Paperback


Description

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. This is the only authorized paperback edition in the US. 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 48 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. In a bold and arresting two- color package, The 48 Laws of Power is ideal whether your aim is conquest, self-defense, or simply to understand the rules of the game. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books


Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2000


Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 452 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140280197


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 97


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds


Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Tantalizingly Provocative Guide to Power
Format: Paperback
Review Image by Creative Reviews
Review Image by Creative Reviews
Review Image by Creative Reviews
Review Image by Creative Reviews
Introduction: Today’s world is full of individuals who will lie, cheat, and steal to take the clothes off your back. They will go to any length to manipulate you or others around you, twisting the truth and bending others to their every whim. Undoubtedly, ‘you’ who is drawn to this book, have experienced the misfortune of being victimized by one of these individuals. Perhaps you have thought to yourself... “They’re always 2 steps ahead!” “Somehow, they made ‘me’ look like the bad guy!” “Eventually they’re going to get fired for this!” You always find yourself playing defense, you never know what they’re going to do next, and you simply cannot understand why another person would be so horrible. Take your power back – Read this book! “What is good? All that heightens the feeling of power in man…” - Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Antichrist. 1888. Synopsis: The 48 Laws of Power is a book comprised of tactics, concepts, and lessons which successfully created or maintained power. Supported with stories from history, both modern and ancient, from the most powerful people and empires which have ever existed, each chapter is crammed page to page with value. For 430 pages you will be inundated with information which is crucial for all of life’s situations where power plays a dynamic (work, social hierarchies, politics, etc.). Written with “the old aristocratic courts” as the backdrop and Machiavelli to set the scenery, this book contends with our darkest inner thoughts during our least favorite interactions with those who have more power than us. Things I love: Writing – The writing is very casual so that it is available to the widest possible audience. It can be read easily, flowing almost as smoothly as regular conversation. You will not be left wondering what a word meant or stopping yourself to grab a dictionary. Printing – This book has some extremely creative printing, placing supporting stories, poems, proverbs and more in the margin and printing “images” using text at the end of each law for visualizing a concept. I have not seen anything similar in a formal book like this. Information – Clearly all 48 Laws took an extremely long time to compile and write. You simply cannot comb the annals of history for compelling stories, retelling them concisely, in a brief period of time. This book is a labor of love, and it shows in every chapter. Originality – This book comes off as very genuine and creative. Everything about it from the cover, the red text inside, the formatting, it’s all unique. You can tell a lot of thought was put forth to conceptualize this work. Who Should Listen Instead of Read: Relevant to everyone, “The 48 Laws of Power” is excellent, however I believe there are a few people who would not enjoy their time reading this book. - If you do not enjoy reading or learning history, this book will be difficult for you. The main content of the text consists of historical examples. The book is of medium length at 430 pages, so if this sounds like you, consider switching to audio. - As mentioned above the text is 430 pages, so if you simply do not have the time in your day to dedicate to reading, you will spend a long time on this book. Again, in this instance I recommend switching to audio for efficiency. Note: My product images were taken after reading the entire book over many months. The book was flawless when first received. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024 by Creative Reviews
    • Highly recommend!!!
Format: Paperback
Excellent book! Love it. Very well-written and insightful. Interesting subject done beautifully!
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2026 by DKB
    • Interesting read on laws of power, lots to digest
Format: Paperback
I've heard this book discussed a lot so decided to give it a read. It has the most unique formatting I've ever seen is book, which is cool. As far as the laws of power, there is a lot to digest here. The nice thing is you do not need to read them in order, so I have literally been flipping to a random law of power and giving it a read. The book positions these so that you can use them for your own advantage to gain an upper hand or get what you want, but also in a way where you can defend against someone who maybe trying to use them against you. It also tells true stories to give examples of how people have used them historically. Its certainly written in a semi old English style but it's a very interesting read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2026 by Jason m
    • A bold, insightful, and provocative guide to understanding power dynamics
Format: Paperback
Overview The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a modern classic on strategy, influence, and realpolitik. Each of the 48 laws offers historical examples — from emperors to con artists — illustrating how power is gained, maintained, or lost. It’s not a book about ethics; it’s a book about understanding how power works. What I liked Deep historical references make the laws memorable and grounded in real events Each chapter is structured clearly: the law, interpretation, reversal, and examples Greene doesn’t moralize — he explains the rules people already use, whether we like it or not Useful for anyone navigating business, politics, leadership, or negotiation Standout Laws Law 3: Conceal Your Intentions Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally Law 33: Discover Each Man’s Thumbscrew Each law offers practical insights, even if controversial Considerations This is not a feel-good or motivational book — it’s cold, calculated, and unapologetic Some readers may find certain laws manipulative or unethical Best read with a critical mindset: absorb what’s useful, question what’s not Final Thoughts The 48 Laws of Power is a powerful toolkit for understanding human behavior and strategy. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2025 by Anisia

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