The 48 Laws of Power

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is one of the most provocative and widely read books about power, strategy, and human nature ever published. Drawing on the lives and writings of historical figures, from Sun Tzu and Cardinal Richelieu to Napoleon and P.T. Barnum, Greene distils 48 timeless principles of power, each illustrated with historical examples and cautionary tales of those who violated the law. Laws range from the strategic (‘Never outshine the master’, ‘Conceal your intentions’) to the philosophical (‘Assume formlessness’). While Greene presents these laws descriptively rather than prescriptively, the book is invaluable both for those who want to understand how power operates and for those who want to protect themselves from its misuse.