The Personal MBA

Master the Art of Business

A world-class business education in a single volume. Learn the universal principles behind every successful business, then use these ideas to make more money, get more done, and have more fun in your life and work.

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From The Personal MBA's List of the 99 Best Business Books...


Review: 'The 48 Laws of Power' by Robert Greene

The use – and abuse – of power is a critical part of the human experience. If you don't understand how to accumulate and wield power responsibly, you'll forever be at the mercy of other people's plans for you.

The 48 Laws of Power is part history, part primer: it tells the stories of leaders past and present who have accumulated, wielded, and been affected by power - to their benefit and often their detriment.

I'll be frank: The 48 Laws of Power is a disconcerting read - that's the point. Greene's treatment of power is completely amoral: it treats the Accumulation and use of power as an end in and of itself, making no judgements on good and evil. The book assumes you're interested in increasing your control and influence by any means necessary, and like a modern Machiavelli, shows you how to go about doing just that.

While some of the historical examples aren't immediately applicable (please don't behead your enemies), it's not difficult to see echoes of these "laws" in modern business life. Forewarned is forearmed - knowing these principles makes it much easier to defend against those that would use them against you.

By the time you finish The 48 Laws of Power, you'll be far less naive when it comes to the uses and abuses of power, and far better prepared to handle the power plays you'll experience in your career - time very well spent.


Buy 'The 48 Laws of Power' by Robert Greene


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The Personal MBA

Master the Art of Business

A world-class business education in a single volume. Learn the universal principles behind every successful business, then use these ideas to make more money, get more done, and have more fun in your life and work.

Buy the book:


About Josh Kaufman

Josh Kaufman is an acclaimed business, learning, and skill acquisition expert. He is the author of two international bestsellers: The Personal MBA and The First 20 Hours. Josh's research and writing have helped millions of people worldwide learn the fundamentals of modern business.

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