Has anyone read either of these books? If so, what did you think?

48 laws is one of my fav books! its a must if you are interested in psychology and/or history.

first it gives you a law, like: turn your enemies into friends. then its explained, what it exactly means, followed by a real, historical example from famous personalities like Bismarck or Churchill, eho applied the law or who did the opposite and fucked up. after this comes the interpretation of the example.

very educative and entertaning!

I sometimes find Robert Greene difficult to read, to be honest. Interesting ideas in his books, but there's so much posturing going on, between trying to look smart and trying to look like a hard-ass. I think it's no coincidence that he partnered with 50 cent. However, it is actually interesting stuff, and the historical anecdotes are good, as 8 ball said. I'm also a fan of Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky.

It's his best book. The rest (war and strategies and his collab with 50 cent, also art of seduction) is crap, don't read them, it's mostly fluff and not very useful writing compared to the 50 laws of power.

I didn't care for Art of Seduction. Interesting anecdotes, but as far as helpful advice, I didn't find a whole lot there.

Haven't read his other stuff.

He partnered with 50 Cent?! Wow, i just loss so much respect for Greene. I mean, 50 is a good rapper, very good business man, but definetly not a writer (and not very intelligent, too).

yup, 50th law is "co-written" with 50 cent.

I doubt 50 actually "wrote" the book. And how do you know he isn't intelligent?

(04-24-2011 04:16 AM)Brett Wrote:  I doubt 50 actually "wrote" the book. And how do you know he isn't intelligent?

Well, I watched several interviews with him and you recognize really fast, that his view on things is very simple and onesided.

I remember in one interview he was telling that sometimes he wished hew could have had better eduction, so that he can remember 80-90% of a book, like educative people do, instead of 50-60%, like he is doing now. Here you see that he hasn ´t read many books in his life, because otherwise he would known that remembering 80-90% of what you read is simply not possible, except you have a photographic memory or are an autist.

Dont misunderstand, I dont think that you need a good education to be intelligent. Take for example 2Pac, he left school very early, but start reading a lot of books like "The Prince" from Machiavelli at the age of 14. When u listen to his lyrics or to his interviews you will recognize his intelligence immediatly, specially because he had deep thoughts on political and social issues (just listen to Keep ya head up, Brenda got a baby, Changes).

What is 50 rapping about? Oh yes, selling crack, being hella rich and slapping hoes...