The 48 Laws of Power (2000)

Greene, Robert. The 48 Laws of Power. Penguine, 2000. 

The fifth book I read in 2020 and a National Besteller two decades ago, it teaches readers about the nature of power by borrowing history and exmaples from the east to the west and from the Before-Christ era until the twentieth century.

My first and foremost reaction is I hate this book. I hate the knowledge it disseminates: amoral, cunning, ruthless, and selfish. Although I know and have experienced their truth in real life, I still certainly don't agree with:

• Law 6: Court attention at all cost. 
• Law 7: Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit. 
• Law 14: Pose as a friend, work as a spy. 
• Law 15: Crush your enemy totally. 
• Law 17: Keep others in suspended terror. 
• Law 20: Do not commit to anyone. 
• Law 21: Play a sucker to catch a sucker. 
• Law 26: Keep your hands clean, make others do the diry work. 

I will be flabbergasted to find who teaches their children and students to follow these laws in life. Will the fruit be sweet if the seed is sown in sour soil?

Another problem I have with the book is its lopsided view of history. Perhaps not without  reason; after all, these histories and incidents are borrowed to support the book's theme. However, taking history out of context for the purpose of serving a predetermined ideology is always dangerous and advised against by historians. Louis XVI of the French House of Bourbon and his Austrian Habsburg wife Marie Antoinette, for example, did more for the state finance than recognized. I wouldn't know their efforts if I didn't take the time to search and read other perspectives.  

The author indeed tries to include as many histories as supporting evidence as possible: Europe, United States, South American, China, Japan, South Asia, and others such as native Americans. Yet, the inclusive it attempts, the exclusive it becomes. There is a lesson here about the writing of history; it will be discussed elsewhere.   

If as a guide to gain manipulative power, this book is not my type. However, if as a guide to understand human behavior in a conext of power for the purpose of inducing better interaction and performance, that is from a management point of view, this book can be very useful. 

For exmaple, 

• Law 1: Never outshine the master.  
• Law 9: Win through your actions, never through argument.  
• Law 45: Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once. 
• Law 46: Never appear too perfect. 
• Law 47: Learn when to stop. 

Be grateful and humble. Stay low-profile to prevent a messy colleague called Envy. Cooperate with others so change becomes a common goal.

This is how I will read these 48 laws to power.