Robert Greene’s book The 48 Laws of Power is a great book exploring how power exists in society and how great leaders throughout history have used different strategies to grab and hold onto their power. Many people who have reviewed the book have called it amoral (exhibiting a complete disbelief in a moral code).
The book itself is not amoral; many of the leaders who are profiled in its pages exhibited amoral behaviors, most of which can be backed up in history books and through the popular writings of the day. The tone of the book is not conflicted by the actions of the main characters such as Niccolò Macciavelli and Otto von Bismark, and allows the reader to make up their own mind.
The 48 Laws of Power is unconcerned with whether it can be judged as moral, immoral, or amoral, it’s more concerned with presenting its case: leaders throughout history have used the 48 laws as tools to grab power and hold onto it. Interestingly the book also gives examples of how each law has been reversed as a result of poor execution of a plan, or lapses in judgment.
The overall tone of the book belies a sense of objectivity. This makes sense because Green uses examples from some of the watershed moments of world history. The historical examples that Greene uses are presented in a manner that suggests he is relaying “just the facts”.
How to Use The 48 Laws of Power Without Being a Bad Guy
I read this book because I want to become a better leader within my organization. I don’t want to take over the world. Ultimately, each person’s moral code will determine to which extent they will go to grasp power.
Power is all about controlling energy. Green makes it clear the person who is most able to control his/her emotions in a stressful or emotional situation will usually prevail. Historically, those who prevail use the rash decisions and actions (energies) of their enemies against them.
Becoming aware of the different forms of power and how to best utilize each form makes sense for those people whom do not want to be controlled. Much of The 48 Laws of Power can be put into practice in your everyday life. The observant reader will notice that they already use many of these laws in their everyday life.
Robert Greene’s book is an amazingly researched and well-written explanation of how and why some of the more influential leaders in history got their power. If you can read the book with a sense of objectivity and without allowing your moral alarm to judge that author you will find this to be a great addition to your library.
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The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
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