Robert Greene (American author) explained

Robert Greene
Birth Date:May 14, 1959
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education:University of Wisconsin-Madison
Occupation:Author
Partner:Anna Biller

Robert Greene (born May 14, 1959) is an American author of books on strategy, power, and seduction.[1] [2] He has written seven international bestsellers, including The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law (with rapper 50 Cent), Mastery, The Laws of Human Nature, and The Daily Laws.[3]

Born in 1959, Greene studied classical studies and worked a variety of jobs, before publishing his first book in 1998. Greene frequently draws on analyses of past historical figures and events throughout his writing. Greene's works have been referenced by a wide variety of celebrities, political figures, and civil rights activists.

Early life

The younger son of Jewish parents,[4] Greene grew up in Los Angeles and attended the University of California, Berkeley, before finishing his degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a B.A. degree in classical studies.[5] Prior to becoming an author, Greene estimates that he worked about 50 jobs, including as a construction worker, translator, magazine editor, and Hollywood movie writer.[6] In 1995, Greene worked as a writer at Fabrica, an art and media school in Italy, and met a book packager named Joost Elffers.[1] Greene pitched a book about power to Elffers and wrote a treatment which eventually became The 48 Laws of Power. He would note this as the turning point of his life.[7]

Books

Greene has published seven books. He is the most banned author in prisons in the United States.[8] Many prisons ban his books as a security measure.[9]

The 48 Laws of Power

Greene's first book, The 48 Laws of Power, first published in 1998, presents itself as a guide for anyone who wants power, observes power, or wants to arm themselves against power. The laws are derived from the lives of strategists and historical figures like Niccolò Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Haile Selassie I, Carl von Clausewitz, Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger, and P.T. Barnum.[10] Each law has its own chapter, complete with a "transgression of the law," "observance of the law," and/or a "reversal."

The idea behind Greene's first book is that power is amoral, i.e., it is neither good or evil. The 48 Laws of Power highlights how we conceptualize power and how we behave in different hierarchical institutions.[11]

The 48 Laws of Power has sold more than 1.2 million copies[12] and has been referenced by 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Quincy “QD3" Jones III, Chris Lighty, Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles, Michael Jackson,[13] Courtney Love,[14] and Will Smith,.[15] [16] [17] Busta Rhymes used The 48 Laws of Power to deal with problematic movie producers. It has been mentioned in songs by Jay Z, Kanye West, and Drake and in videos by The Kid LAROI and Central Cee.[18] [19] [20] [21] Greene has claimed former Cuban President Fidel Castro had also read the book.

The Sunday Times noted that The 48 Laws of Power has become the "Hollywood back-stabber's bible" and that although the book is reportedly used by some business executives, it is difficult to find people who publicly acknowledge its influence because of the book's controversial nature.[22] [23] Greene responds to this sentiment by stating, "These laws… people might say, 'Oh they're wicked', but they're practiced day in and day out by businesspeople. You're always trying to get rid of your competition and it can be pretty bloodthirsty, and that's just the reality."[5] [15]

Drake is producing a cinematic series on the book.[24]

The Art of Seduction

See main article: The Art of Seduction. Greene's second book, The Art of Seduction, was published in 2001.[25] The book profiles the nine types of seducers (e.g. The Rake, The Siren, and The Charmer) and details aspects of attraction, authenticity, storytelling, and negotiation.[26] [27] Greene uses examples from historical figures such as Cleopatra, Giacomo Casanova, Duke Ellington and John F. Kennedy to support the psychology behind seduction.[28] [29] It has sold more than 500,000 copies.[30]

The 33 Strategies of War

See main article: The 33 Strategies of War. The 33 Strategies of War is the third book by Greene and was published in 2007.[31] The book is divided into five parts: Self-Directed Warfare, Organizational (Team) Warfare, Defensive Warfare, Offensive Warfare and Unconventional (Dirty) Warfare.[31] The book is a guide to the campaign of everyday life and distills military wisdom from historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte, Sun Tzu, Alfred Hitchcock, Alexander the Great and Margaret Thatcher.[32] [33] [34]

The Sunday Times called the book "an excellent toolkit for dealing with business and relationships," and The Independent claims that Greene is "setting himself up as a modern-day Machiavelli" but that "it is never clear whether he really believes what he writes or whether it is just his shtick, an instrument of his will to shift £20 hardbacks."[35] [36] NBA player Chris Bosh stated that his favorite book is The 33 Strategies of War.[16] [37] [38] It has sold more than 200,000 copies.[30]

The 50th Law

See main article: The 50th Law. The 50th Law is the fourth book by Greene—written collaboratively with rapper 50 Cent—and was published in 2009.[39] [40] [41] The book mixes talk of strategy and fearlessness by supplementing anecdotes from 50 Cent's rise as both a hustler and as an up-and-coming musician with lessons from various historical figures.[42] [43] [44] Each of the 10 chapters in the book explains a factor of fearlessness and begins by telling how 50 learned this "Fearless Philosophy" in Southside Queens.[45] [46] [47]

The book debuted at #5 on The New York Times Bestseller list and was a USA Today bestseller.[48] [49] [50] [51]

Mastery

See main article: Mastery (book). Greene's fifth book, Mastery, was released on November 13, 2012.[52] Mastery examines the lives of both historical and contemporary figures such as Charles Darwin, Paul Graham, the Wright Brothers, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and Mozart, and distills the traits and universal ingredients that made them masters.[53] The book is divided into six sections, each focusing on essential lessons and strategies on the path to Mastery.[53] [54] [55] [56]

Mastery reached #6 on The New York Times Bestseller list and was featured in CNN Money, The Huffington Post, The New York Times, Business Insider, Forbes, Management Today, and Fast Company.[52] [54] [56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61] [62]

The Laws of Human Nature

Greene's sixth book, The Laws of Human Nature, was released in October 2018. Through 18 "laws", the book examines people's conscious and unconscious drives, motivations, and cognitive biases.[63]

The Daily Laws

The Daily Laws, Greene's seventh book, was released in October 2021. The book features concise texts on wisdom, with each day of the year dedicated to a “Daily Law” and each month focusing on a different day.[64] [65]

Media

Greene's work has been featured in The New York Times, USA Today, CNN, The New Yorker, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, Forbes and the Huffington Post. Greene has also appeared on The Today Show, CNBC, ABC, and MTV News.[66] [67] [68] [69] [70]

In 2013, Greene did a presentation on his book Mastery on Talks at Google.[71] Later in the year, he did a presentation on TED titled "The key to transforming yourself".[72] In 2016, a previous presentation of Robert's was uploaded at Microsoft Research titled "War, Power, Strategy".[73] In 2019, he did another presentation on Talks at Google on his book The Laws of Human Nature.[74]

On December 16, 2022, during the Mahsa Amini protests, the Neighborhood Youth Alliance of Iran and the Neighborhood Youth of Karaj Group distributed a text that they attributed to Greene, describing strategies for opposing the Islamic Republic governmental system of Iran. The Institute for the Study of War suggested that the text corresponded to a December 7 YouTube video by Greene on the protests. A five-point list of civil disobedience strategies for sustaining the protest movement was distributed with the text.

Personal life

Greene lives in Los Angeles with his partner Anna Biller, who is a filmmaker.[6] Greene can speak five languages and is a student of Zen Buddhism.[5]

Greene is a mentor for Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of Trust Me, I'm Lying, The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, and The Daily Stoic.[75]

Greene supported Barack Obama in the 2012 United States presidential election and identifies with liberal politics.[76]

When asked in 2012 if he is religious, Greene said "I'm Jewish but I don't have a hardcore spiritual practice. I'm not hardcore Atheist; I'm sort of how Einstein was: He wasn't a believer in the Jewish God. I'm intrigued by the sense that there's something there."[77]

Greene suffered a serious stroke before launching his new book The Laws of Human Nature in 2018. A wasp sting that precipitated a blood clot in his neck caused the stroke, leaving Greene without the use of his left hand and leg for a period of time.[78] [79]

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Chang, Andrea. American Apparel's in-house guru shows a lighter side. The Los Angeles Times. August 30, 2011.
  2. News: Business Bestsellers. New York Times. November 8, 1998.
  3. News: Lee. Lee. Laws for an Outlaw Culture. LA Times. July 12, 2006.
  4. News: Bertodano . Helena de . November 26, 2012 . Why Robert Greene isn't who you think . February 24, 2018 . Daily Telegraph . en-GB . 0307-1235.
  5. News: Chang. Andrea. American Apparel's in-house guru shows a lighter side. https://web.archive.org/web/20130929212536/http://articles.latimes.com/2011/aug/30/business/la-fi-robert-greene-20110726/2. dead. September 29, 2013. The Los Angeles Times. August 30, 2011.
  6. News: Paumgarten. Nick. FRESH PRINCE; Hip-hop's Machiavelli. The New Yorker. November 6, 2006.
  7. Perlroth, Nicole. Robert Greene on Power Ambition Glory. Forbes. June 16, 2009.
  8. News: Empson . Olivia . 2023-11-07 . 'Books keep our minds free': US prisons ban reading materials at alarming pace . 2024-05-15 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  9. Web site: Why are these two books banned at the Utah State prison? . 2022-10-29 . The Salt Lake Tribune . en-US.
  10. Book: Greene, Robert. The 48 Laws of Power . 2000 . New York . 0140280197 . 452 .
  11. Web site: Robert Greene . 2022-11-09 . The Decision Lab . en-CA.
  12. News: American Apparel's in-house guru shows a lighter side. Chang . Andrea . August 30, 2011 . LA Times .
  13. Web site: Bonhams : Michael Jackson: an annotated copy of the book 'The 48 Laws Of Power' by Robert Greene. www.bonhams.com. February 24, 2018.
  14. News: Singer Love to face drugs trial. April 16, 2004. February 24, 2018. news.bbc.co.uk.
  15. Blake, John. How to Master the '48 Laws of Power' . CNN. March 15, 2010.
  16. Tice, Carol. All's Fair?. Entrepreneur. November 1, 2006.
  17. Web site: 'Laws Of Power' Author Robert Greene Is Surprisingly Nice . Business Insider . Nov 26, 2012.
  18. Web site: Kanye West – Primetime Lyrics. RapGenius.
  19. Web site: Drake – What I'm Thinkin' Right Now Lyrics. RapGenius.
  20. - minute 4:24
  21. - minute 0:07
  22. News: How to take power and influence people . https://web.archive.org/web/20140405000902/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/culture/article194033.ece . dead . April 5, 2014 . The Sunday Times (London) . August 6, 2006. "Despite Greene's obvious influence, most Hollywood executives are coy about admitting it. Jonathan Baker, marketing manager for Sony Pictures Entertainment, says the book is often used by executives he knows, "but because of its nature, you won't find a lot of people who will own up to how important a resource it has become for them. Acknowledging its influence can be damning; you are opening yourself up to being judged in a negative way. But I don't mind saying that I stumbled on it in a very down period in my life, and it gave me a lot of clarity when I needed it most".
  23. News: Robert Greene and his influence over American Apparel [Video] ]. The Los Angeles Times . August 31, 2011.
  24. Web site: Drake To Produce The 48 Laws Of Power For Quibi . Forbes .
  25. Book: The Art of Seduction. 1861977697. Greene. Robert. April 2004. Profile Books .
  26. Web site: Bruce. Robert. The Art of Seductive Writing: A Conversation with Robert Greene. Copy Blogger. October 21, 2001.
  27. News: Seduce them by the book . The Irish Independent . Eddie Lennon . September 4, 2003.
  28. News: Groth. Aimee. Robert Greene Tells Us What People Don't Understand About Power. Business Insider. June 4, 2012.
  29. News: POSSESSED; Seduction's Earthy Scent . The New York Times . David Colman . August 3, 2003.
  30. http://powerseductionandwar.com/the-robert-greene-interview-part-1/ Robert Greene Interview, Part 1
  31. Book: Greene, Robert . The 33 Strategies of War . 2006 . Viking . New York . 0143112783 . 496 .
  32. News: Lee. Eloise. 33 War Strategies That Will Help You Win Everything In Life . Business Insider. May 4, 2012.
  33. News: Online Extra: A Best-Seller Smorgasbord . https://web.archive.org/web/20130731191538/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2006-04-30/online-extra-a-best-seller-smorgasbord . dead . July 31, 2013 . . April 30, 2006.
  34. Web site: 33 Strategies of War. Publishers Weekly. December 12, 2005.
  35. News: Fearn. Nicholas. The 33 Strategies of War, by Robert Greene. https://web.archive.org/web/20081217163908/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/the-33-strategies-of-war-by-robert-greene-468732.html. dead. December 17, 2008. The Independent. March 5, 2006. London.
  36. News: Dillon. Frank. A guide to balancing your books; Business leaders give Frank Dillon tips on what the best managers should be reading. The Sunday Times. January 10, 2010.
  37. News: Green. Mark. Not a Third Wheel: A GQ&A with Chris Bosh. GQ. January 12, 2012. September 10, 2017. February 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150203115238/http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/201201/chris-bosh-miami-heat-interview-style. dead.
  38. News: Mirchandini. Raakhee. The Merchant of Menace. The New York Post. January 5, 2007.
  39. Web site: 50 Cent is New York Times Certified. Vibe . September 28, 2009.
  40. News: Bestsellers. New York Times. September 27, 2009. Jennifer. Schuessler.
  41. News: Schuessler. Jennifer. Inside the List. New York Times. September 18, 2009.
  42. Web site: Johnson. Lynne. The 50 Cent Bible. Fast Company. September 10, 2009.
  43. Web site: Groth. Aimee. 10 Tips For Becoming Fearless Like 50 Cent . Business Insider. May 10, 2012.
  44. News: Goodman. Matthew. Rapper's latest hit for business scene. The Australian. October 29, 2009.
  45. News: Richards. Jason. Interview: Robert Greene on 50 Cent. The Huffington Post. September 17, 2009.
  46. News: Burkeman. Oliver. When the gangsta rapper met the self-help guru. The Guardian. September 4, 2009. London.
  47. Web site: Finnell. Joshua. The Blingdom of God: Books on the Religion of Hip-Hop. Library Journal. August 20, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120915025144/http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6678919.html. September 15, 2012.
  48. https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2009-09-27/hardcover-advice/list.html Hardcover Advice & Misc. Bestsellers
  49. News: USA TODAY Money best sellers. USA Today. October 12, 2009.
  50. News: The 50th Law. USA Today.
  51. News: Getlen. Larry. Talking Cents. New York Post. September 20, 2009.
  52. Web site: Capouya. John. Zen and the art of global domination. CNN Money. November 9, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121113062422/http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/11/09/mastery-robert-greene/. November 13, 2012.
  53. Book: Greene, Robert . Mastery . Viking . 2012 . 978-0670024964 .
  54. News: Kurutz. Steven. Renovate Like a Master. New York Times. November 7, 2012.
  55. http://www.geekwire.com/2012/excerpt-yoky-matsuoka-created-modern-robotic-hand/ How Yoky Matsuoka created the modern robotic hand, and what the rest of us can learn from her
  56. Web site: Groth. Aimee. 27 Tips For Mastering Anything. Business Insider. November 2, 1012.
  57. News: Bradt. George. Beyond 10,000 Hours: The Constant Pursuit of Mastery. Forbes. November 8, 2012.
  58. Chamorro-Premuzic, Tomas. Book review: Mastery, by Robert Greene. Management Today. November 1, 2012.
  59. Robert Greene. The Aha! Moments That Made Paul Grahms Y Combinator Possible. Fast Company. November 12, 2012.
  60. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/15/mastery-by-robert-greene-_n_2126127.html 'Mastery' By Robert Greene: How to Become a Master in Your Chosen Field
  61. https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-12-02/hardcover-advice/list.html Best Sellers: Advice and Misc.
  62. News: Mastery . USA Today.
  63. Web site: The big new book on all your flaws and how to turn them around. Ephrat. Livni. Quartz. October 28, 2018 .
  64. Web site: The Daily Laws by Robert Greene: 9780593299234 PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books . 2024-02-18 . PenguinRandomhouse.com . en-US.
  65. News: Advice, How-To & Miscellaneous Books - Best Sellers - Books - Oct. 31, 2021 - The New York Times . 2024-02-18 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  66. Web site: 50 Cent On The Today Show for supporting his new book "The 50th Law". https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/e52S-lgtRq0 . 2021-12-21 . live. The Today Show. October 1, 2009.
  67. Web site: 50 Cent sits down with CNBC and talks about his new book "The 50th Law. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/gCzb5zpV0PA . 2021-12-21 . live. CNBC. October 1, 2009.
  68. Web site: The 50 Cent Empire. ABC News. November 5, 2009.
  69. Web site: B . Robert . April 14, 2024 . appeared on TV Show . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190430/https://financedesire.com/robert-greene-net-worth-books-wife-lifestyle-biography/ . April 16, 2024 . April 14, 2024 . FinanceDesire . FinanceDesire.Com .
  70. Web site: Reid. Shaheem. 50 Cent Signs Copies Of His New Book 'The 50th Law'. https://archive.today/20130129052752/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621181/50-cent-signs-copies-his-new-book-50th-law.jhtml. dead. January 29, 2013. MTV News. September 10, 2009.
  71. Web site: Mastery - Robert Greene - Talks at Google . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/J4v_34RRCeE . 2021-12-21 . live. . April 7, 2013 . 7 Apr 2013.
  72. Web site: The key to transforming yourself -- Robert Greene at TEDxBrixton . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/gLt_yDvdeLQ . 2021-12-21 . live. . October 23, 2013 . 24 Oct 2013.
  73. Web site: War, Power, Strategy . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/O_asN2Qib2w . 2021-12-21 . live. . September 5, 2016 . 6 Sep 2016.
  74. Web site: Robert Greene - The Laws of Human Nature - Talks at Google . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/KcaVhMt71qE . 2021-12-21 . live. . July 8, 2019 . 28 Jul 2019.
  75. Web site: Episode 088: Ryan Holiday – How to Find the Best Mentor & Viewing Obstacles as Opportunities . January 11, 2016 .
  76. News: Lynskey . Dorian . Robert Greene on his 48 laws of power: 'I'm not evil – I'm a realist' . 20 November 2020 . The Guardian . 3 Dec 2012.
  77. Web site: Robert Greene Tells Us What People Don't Understand About Power. Aimee. Groth. June 5, 2012. Business Insider Australia.
  78. 1041728219987238912. RobertGreene. A few weeks ago as I was beginning the preparations for the launch of my new book, The Laws of Human Nature, I suffered a serious stroke, the result of a blood clot in my neck. This has rendered my left arm and leg virtually useless. The doctors expect me to make a complete recovery, but it will require a few months of rehab, and much patience on my part. It also unfortunately means I will have to curtail and postpone many of the interviews and events we had planned and scheduled. The Laws of Human Nature was six years in the making and is the culmination of my life's study of power, psychology, and history, so I am profoundly disappointed that I won't be able to discuss with you many of the book's lessons right away. I'm grateful for the many messages of support from friends and family and plan to be out speaking and writing about the book soon, with the added poignancy of having survived a brush with death. In the meantime I hope you will enjoy this book, which I poured my mind and soul into over the last several years, and please be on the lookout for some of the videos and articles we prepared before this temporary setback. . September 17, 2018.
  79. Web site: Master the Laws of Human Nature with Robert Greene . October 31, 2018 .

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