Robert Greene · 1998
A self-help guide that distills historical anecdotes into practical strategies for acquiring and maintaining power in social and professional settings.
David Senra uses it to illustrate business strategies, while Michael Hobbes argues it promotes a sociopathic worldview through irrelevant historical examples.
The text presents a series of historical anecdotes intended to serve as a manual for navigating power dynamics and social influence.
Entrepreneurs looking for historical case studies on aggressive business tactics and market manipulation to apply to their own professional growth.
Skip if you are skeptical of advice that encourages a sociopathic approach to interpersonal relationships or if you prefer historical analysis that is strictly grounded in relevant, verifiable context.
Summarized from what was said in 3 conversations; the quotes are below.
A speaker recommends a book written by someone else.
“hey, just so you know, the author Robert Green mentions Joseph DeVine in a bunch of his books, like the 48 Laws of Power and the 33 Strategy of War.”
Why: The host uses the book to highlight strategies Duveen used to build his business.
David Senra, Host on Founders#339 Joseph Duveen: Robber Baron Art Dealer
Speakers who argue against the book or name its limits.
“i'm gonna dive pretty quickly into this book peter do you know anything about the 48 laws of power i've heard of the book but i don't really know anything about it…”
Why: The speaker argues the book promotes a sociopathic worldview and relies on irrelevant historical anecdotes.
Michael Hobbes, Host on If Books Could KillThe 48 Laws of Power
Named without an opinion attached.
“It's also, there is also something kind of funny about other people reading these books. I mean, we talked about this with the 48 Laws of Power, but also like in your normal life…”
Peter Shamshiri, Host on If Books Could KillThe Art of the Deal
Other books cited in the same episodes.
Poor Charlie's Almanack
Charles T. Munger
Discussed together in: #339 Joseph Duveen: Robber Baron Art Dealer (Founders)
A Paradise Built in Hell
Rebecca Solnit
Discussed together in: The 48 Laws of Power (If Books Could Kill)
The 33 Strategies of War
Robert Greene
Discussed together in: #339 Joseph Duveen: Robber Baron Art Dealer (Founders)
Zero to One
Peter A. Thiel
Discussed together in: #339 Joseph Duveen: Robber Baron Art Dealer (Founders)
Barbarians at the Gate
Bryan Burrough and John Helyar
Discussed together in: The Art of the Deal (If Books Could Kill)
Driven
Robert Herjavec
Discussed together in: The Art of the Deal (If Books Could Kill)
How to Win at the Sport of Business
Mark Cuban
Discussed together in: The Art of the Deal (If Books Could Kill)
Iacocca
Lee A. Iacocca
Discussed together in: The Art of the Deal (If Books Could Kill)