Continuing on the topic of “Power”, the book club decided to build some foundations using Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power. In an almost “Art of War” style, 48LOP is really just 48 chapters put together, stating the law and demonstrating observation and transgressions of it in historical episodes. Drawing from not just our rich past, but also the narrative world of allegories and anecdotes, Greene demonstrates how generations of generals, politicians, leaders and champions have wrestled power into their own hands or lost power in an instant.

I tried my best to get through the whole book, but Greene is elaborate in his chapters and so each law can take some time going through. I was only able to get through around 40 laws before skimming the last 8, so my review will be naturally incomplete.

Greene is clear in his invitation to read the book – understand the Laws of Power to either play the game with wisdom or to be defensive as others play it, but do not use the Laws of Power to create mischief or mayhem because power can have serious consequences. This is a useful content to bear in mind as we learn about the various ways in which people have consolidated power. Some are not surprising, such as “Gather Intelligence”, but others are insightful, such as “Create your own identity”

Do not accept the roles that society foists on you. Re-create yourself by forging a new identity, one that commands attention and never bores the audience. Be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you. Incorporate dramatic devices into your public gestures and actions – your power will be enhanced and your character will seem larger than life”

Robert Greene

It felt weird after a while to be reading the book, without any clear application in mind. This was a sentiment shared by the rest of the book club – none of us were in phases of our lives where we were trying to “get power”, but we also acknowledged that we knew people in our organisations who were. The idea was then to read these laws with the intention to play defensive. No one wanted to get suckered into being a pawn for someone else’s power games.

“People around you, constantly under the pull of their emotions, change their ideas by the day or by the hour, depending on their mood. You must never assume that what people say or do in a particular moment is a statement of their permanent desires.”

Robert Greene

Each law follows a pattern – it normally starts by describing a Transgression of the Law, a couple of examples of Observation of the Law, then the “Rules to Power” and finally conceding a possible Reversal of the Law. This structure is helpful, especially as you try to go through all the laws and form an overall view of things. I can admit that the laws have given me a good lens to understand the actions of those around me, whether it’s intentional or not, and to understand the flows of power as well. We all need power to achieve our objectives, and for those who believe in the good of what they do, then power is an inevitable tool they must use. Power is never the end, it is the means to achieve.

I’d like to keep the book as a reference – I think it’s always useful to pull it out anytime you want to understand the possible agenda or motivations of an actor, and to be able to prepare accordingly. In that regard, it’s a good book to have on hand.

Here are my ratings:

Readability: 4/5

Intellectual Stimulation: 4/5

Perspective Shifting Capability: 3/5

Would I Recommend? – As a reference book on hand!