Book Review: Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power

Power and fame are some of the many things on Earth that lots of people are striving for to achieve. Many work their way out painstakingly just to be on top and earn the most authority anyone could have. Lots of people are hungry for power because, according to them, it has been perceived that if one has power, he/she can basically do anything and possess anything.

This is the main concept of the book 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Greene, in this book, has proven that he is indeed one of the great minds to be able to conceptualize and write rules in achieving complete power. Although there were some concepts that do not apply to all, still he was able to draw the line of how it is to be powerful, and what it takes to be powerless. This American author claimed that the entire concept of his book 48 Laws of Power rooted back towards his passion in history, especially on the concept of kings and royalties. He was inspired to discover the power behind the power and the visibly powerful. He studied and analyzed scholarly articles about power and the powerful from ancient Asia to modernize United States of America. He took track with the history of emperors, generals and the significant periods of ancient time, such as the Renaissance. According to Greene, his laws of powers were products of intense analysis on the many historical figures.

True to the efforts and time shed by Greene, the book 48 Laws of Power is, indeed, a book made out of scientific analysis and proven in-depth research. It is not just an ordinary red book, but a guide where one can truly learn profound knowledge about attaining power. The 48 Laws of Power is a comprehensive book that emphasizes practical approaches on how to be powerful.

Despite the fact that it is one of the world’s best selling books, the 48 Laws of Power has also its own share of critics. Some critics cited the book’s lack of human compassion and ruthlessness as immoral since it teaches people to be powerful even though some (or colleagues, especially) will be adversely affected as he/she climb the ladder of fame and power. Greene even lashed out to his critics by saying that the 48 Laws of Power is about the essence of power and not about the discourse about virtue and ethics. In his book, Greene said that “the feeling of having no power over people and events is generally unbearable to us – when we feel helpless we feel miserable.” The book lived-up to its instructive and philosophical approach as it gives the reader's tips of power through elaborate explanation of some historical figures and how they achieved power.

To sum it up, the 48 Laws of Power is not your typical feel-good book. Greene’s masterpiece is heavy and cerebral. It takes deep analysis in order to understand Greene’s statements and appreciates his laws of power. In this manner, one can truly say that 48 Laws of Power is an instructive, strong and intelligent book.