The 48 laws of power
Greene, Robert2000
Book
Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this piercing work distills three thousand years of the history of power into 48 well-explicated laws. It outlines the laws of power in their unvarnished essence, synthesizing the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun-tzu, Carl von Clausewitz, and other great thinkers. Some laws teach the need for prudence, the virtue of stealth, and many demand the total absence of mercy, but like it or not, all have applications in real life. Illustrated through the tactics of Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, P. T. Barnum, and other famous figures who have wielded--or been victimized by--power, these laws will fascinate any reader interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control.
Main title:
The 48 laws of power / Robert Greene.
Author:
Greene, Robert, authorElffers, Joost, book producer
Work:
Imprint:
New York, New York : Penguin Books, 2000.©1998.
Collation:
xxiii, 452, 17 pages ; 24 cm
Notes:
Originally published: [New York] : Viking, 1998."A Joost Elffers production."Includes bibliographical references (p. 431-432) and index.
Contents:
Never outshine the masterNever put too much trust in friends, learn how to use enemiesConceal your intentionsAlways say less than necessarySo much depends on reputation : guard it with your lifeCourt attention at all costGet others to do the work for you, but always take the creditMake other people come to you : use bait if necessaryWin through your actions, never through argumentInfection : avoid the unhappy and the unluckyLearn to keep people dependent on youUse selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victimWhen asking for help, appeal to people's self-interest, never to their mercy or gratitudePose as a friend, work as a spyCrush your enemy totallyUse absence to increase respect and honorKeep others in suspended terror : cultivate an air of unpredictabilityDo not build fortresses to protect yourself--isolation is dangerousKnow who you're dealing with--do not offend the wrong personDo not commit to anyonePlay a sucker to catch a sucker : seem dumber than your markUse the surrender tactic : transform weakness into powerConcentrate your forcesPlay the perfect courtierRe-create yourselfKeep your hands cleanPlay on people's need to believe to create a cultlike followingEnter action with boldnessPlan all the way to the endMake your accomplishments seem effortlessControl the options : get others to play with the cards you dealPlay to people's fantasiesDiscover each man's thumbscrewBe royal in your own fashion : act like a king to be treated like oneMaster the art of timingDisdain things you cannot have : ignoring them is the best revengeCreate compelling spectaclesThink as you like but behave like othersStir up waters to catch fishDespise the free lunchAvoid stepping into a great man's shoesStrike the shepherd and the sheep will scatterWork on the hearts and minds of othersDisarm and infuriate with the mirror effectPreach the need for change, but never reform too much at onceNever appear too perfectDo not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stopAssume formlessness.
ISBN:
9781861972781 (paperback)9780140280197 (paperback)0140280197 (paperback)
Dewey class:
303.3
Language:
English
Related title:
BRN:
449927
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Library | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | On loan - Due: 08 Jul 2026 |
| City Library | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | On loan - Due: 26 Jun 2026 |
| East Melbourne Library | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | On reserve shelf at Library at the Dock |
| Library at the Dock | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | In-transit from Library at the Dock to Kathleen Syme Carlton (Set: 25 Jun 2026) |
| Library at the Dock | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | On loan - Due: 15 Jul 2026 |
| narrm ngarrgu Library and Family Services | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | On loan - Due: 12 Jul 2026 |
| North Melbourne Library | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | Available |
| Southbank Library | -Society | SOCIETY 303.3 GREE | On reserve shelf at City Library |