Recommended Reading

In addition to Robert Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power (Viking, 1998), the following books are recommended for anyone who wants to learn more about historical perspectives and current thinking on power and leadership.

Robert B. Cialdini, Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, revised edition (HarperBusiness, 2006)

Robert Cialdini, a marketing and psychology professor and business consultant, examines six basic rules of human behavior and how they can be exploited for both good and ill to influence people’s actions. He also provides strategies for readers to avoid being unduly influenced by salespeople, marketers, and politicians using these tactics.

50 Cent and Robert Greene, The 50th Law (HarperCollins, 2009)

This follow-up to The 48 Laws of Power is a collaboration between Robert Greene and rapper/entrepreneur Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Greene outlines many of the laws from The 48 Laws, then illustrates how they played out in 50 Cent’s tumultuous life. Overcoming fear, seeing things as they truly are, and mastering one’s personal environment are some of the topics covered in this book.

Robert Greene, The 33 Strategies of War, reprint edition (Penguin, 2007)

This is Robert Greene’s compendium of historical takes on the best ways to plot and triumph during conflict. Remaining calm, learning resilience, overcoming fear, planning ahead, and learning to steer clear of situations that are doomed to failure are all techniques that Greene explores, using examples from ancient and modern times. Characters as diverse as Ulysses S. Grant and Margaret Thatcher are examined for how they faced unrelenting odds and triumphed over them.

Robert Greene, Mastery (Viking, 2012)

Robert Greene’s most recent book examines more figures from history—from Charles Darwin to Temple Grandin—who have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve unprecedented success. By focusing all of their energies on whatever one particular talent they have, Greene invites readers to explore their inherent genius.

Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince (Simon & Brown, 2011)

Niccolò Machiavelli’s sixteenth-century masterpiece has for centuries been a guide to obtaining and keeping power. Its tough, realistic look at the strategies and tactics involved in the quest for power has made this book a must-read for generals, mafia dons, corporate climbers, and everyday people looking to create success in their lives.

Sun Tzu, The Art of War, translated by Ralph D. Sawyer (Basic Books, 1994)

This book, over two thousand years old, has been on the top of reading lists for generals, boardroom leaders, and anyone who is facing a conflict and wants to emerge triumphant. Sun Tzu wrote a manual for how to think about war, how to approach various battlefield situations, and how to ultimately achieve the victory of survival. Ralph D. Sawyer is a scholar and successful businessperson.

J. Thomas Wren, The Leader’s Companion: Insights on Leadership Through the Ages (Free Press, 1995)

J. Thomas Wren, a teacher at the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies, has compiled an anthology of sixty-four readings on leaders and leadership, drawn from more than two thousand years of thought. Both historical and modern views are represented, ranging from Plato, Aristotle, and Niccolò Machiavelli to Mahatma Gandhi and W. E. B. DuBois. The selections are grouped into fourteen categories, such as what defines leadership, the leadership environment, leading individuals, and leading groups.