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Robert Greene is a reference for millions of readers, distilling wisdom and philosophy into essential texts for understanding. In this book, he examines the drivers and motivations (even unconscious) of people...

- The man of letters -

Robert Greene, born in Los Angeles on May 14, 1959, is an American author known for his books on power, seduction and manipulation. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, in Classics.

Greene worked in New York as a reporter for several magazines and in Hollywood as a screenwriter.

In 2018, prior to this book's launch, Greene suffered a severe stroke, from which he is recovering over time.

- The content -

Greene provides 18 laws and 48 aspects of humanity through the prism of history, philosophy, psychology, and wisdom to explain human behaviour. He argues that as a social animal, it is essential for us to understand our motivations and those of the people around us. He tells tales of heroes and monsters to highlight how their tendencies had influence positively or negatively, or sometimes both.

It turns out that we are fighting against ourselves and others. In difficult situations, we are deceptive, and try to appear generous, kind and polite in order to mask our emotional parsimony. And when we aim to please, it is often out of greed or weakness. But all is not lost : There is a way to discern our faults and what makes others aberrant to us, to learn by observation and to do everything to subsist without being a pawn for others. We can become wiser, find our calling, and devote our energy to achieving our dreams while improving our relationships.

- My observations -

It is a laborious reading and not just because the book is long. But while this read may be painful at times, it is worth it. The writing is engaging and the ideas fascinating, but it's hard not to feel uneasy when faced with such an incisive examination of our nature.

In this book, we can identify with ourselves frequently, and if we follow Greene's instructions to be honest with ourselves, to assess who we are, it can quickly become an overwhelming experience and discourage us. Some ideas are supported by historical and scientific evidence, but other sections are more hazardous.

Greene demonstrates that although a lot has changed over the course of history, people have remained essentially the same, for better and for worse (We are neither more belligerent, nor gentler, nor meaner). And each of us is the beneficiary of the progress that others have imagined and materialized, channelling their nature into creativity, science, art, politics and other fields.

Basically, it's a guide to observing how our personality works, allowing us to be less trapped in our psychological habits and weaknesses. It provides insight into how others manipulate us and tips so that we can better harness our powers and become more socially clairvoyant.

The writer emphasizes that each of us must come into contact with our male and female sides, that we are oppressed by expectations of conformity which do not suit us and which prevent us from flourishing.

Conclusions

Robert Greene is an information collector, his story snippets are interesting and his lessons thought-provoking.

Overall, this book provides valuable information and advice, but sometimes it is difficult to sort out what is beneficial from what is harmful. Each idea is presented forcefully and we certainly gain valuable information from this reading, but it is best to do it with an open mind as well as a sceptical one.

What do you think?