33 Strategies of War

My boss bought me The Richest Man in Babylon when he promoted me. I loved it and so I bought it as an audio book too. In the past, I've read Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! (Miniature Edition) and some of Napoleon Hills' work. I wanted to venture off and read some of Machiavelli's work or Sun Tzu's The Art of War, and somehow stumbled upon 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene. I bought the audio CD and it is absolutely brilliant. Extremely rich and detailed with loads of useful information. Now I'm buying the book. The lessons are clear and can be applied in any life situation. I love the references Greene makes, using historical people and events. And of course, pumping up Napoleon. This may be a bit much for someone getting started in the realm of power, or overwhelming for shallow souls you lack depth of character or intelligence, but for someone searching for a profound path this may very well be the treasure house of wisdom they have long be thirsting for. In my personal opinion, Robert Greene is a contemporary genius. Something we need more of in this day and age.

After giving my first bought copy of this book on gift, found myself without permanent source of strategic wisdom or advice, therefore I ordered my 2nd copy (English edition) for Xmas.
I think the author has a very remarkable skill to research, analyze and extract the very scent of human thinking based on historical facts. Furthermore, the way he presents every law with examples of those who followed, those who felt, an explanation and the anti-strategy, makes his work brilliant on one side and a practical manual on another.

This book is pretty awesome thus far. It's really long and has taken me a little extra time as I read during my lunch hour and break. Very nicely written, my boyfriend is currently reading this book as well. He loves it. Thus far I've recommended it to two other family members and they both love it as well!

This is the easiest book to read and understand the basic concepts of doing battle in every day life. Wonderfully linked into Sun Tsu, and many actual battle's with excellent descriptions and evaluations which can be used every day. I highly recommend!

Excellent. A guide for life, where people fight for power and domination on almost every act, passively or aggressively. The author does an excellent job in describing the strategies and in how to deal with the strategists. You should read this book. And if you manage people in your daily life, you must read it. If you like it, don't forget to read The 48 Laws of Power, from the same author.

This book is useful for anyone involved in zero-sum games like trading or poker. The author skillfully weaves entertaining historical anecdotes to illustrate the themes and strategies he outlines in the book. Even if your not a trader or poker player the author's style and word craft will keep you engaged throughout.

This book is great. I decided to read one chapter a day and reflect on my learnings and it REALLY helped. The examples it provides to merit its suggestions are awesome. So not only do you learn about how to apply strategy in your life, but you also learn about world history. I recommend this book strongly. Don't be fooled by the name. The "War" aspect of this book does not only relate to soldiers on the battlefield, but it also helps you wage war against your own bad habits, and it helps you recognize what to do in a situation which can have war-like attributes (except on a smaller scale).

This was a unique weaving of history, philosophy and the authors considered opinions. it created a landscape for viewing not only ones career and business interactions but an interesting view of today's complex global political setting.

Here we go: I was in an unhealthy and emotionally abusive relationship. The kicker was that I worked with my partner, sharing the stage of our work setting, training athletes.

It was getting to the point where I was being so heavily manipulated and put down all the time, that I was blind to what I was putting up. What I was forced to deal with was severely polluted & unacceptable treatment that no one in their right mind should have to endure.
So this book... with it's slicing wit and seductive charm made its way back into my life one day. I had read bits of it before, and was very intrigued... but I guess previously I had nothing to apply it to, to prove its value. Also, since the start of this relationship, pursuing my own mind and reaching for resources for development was hardly an available possibility.
My, did that attitude soon expire. I was about to see that the revolution you are looking for is always available... and it rests with you.

Jump ahead 5 months after getting enmeshed in it. I read the book at first chronologically, and then I slowly started jumping the chapters, using the table of contents as a guide to piece together the behaviors of this man I was with. I was coming to understand the violence in his actions towards me, what he was doing, and how he was doing it. Slowly, subconciously, a transformation began. I started working on myself. I got in really great shape. I began to inwardly declare war.
Without realizing it, I was becoming very much aware of his plays for power, and I had taught myself to ignore them, to take them with a grain of salt... while continuing to let him believe that he was the one pulling the strings.

Then one day, a sad letter came in the mail for my outspoken oppressor in the form of one of the biggest blows to an ego that a man should face--for his blow came suddenly, and publicly--as I was leaving, stepping out the door with one of his top athletes.

Strangely, none of this was pre-planned. I had not meditated on this outcome. I had not planned a guerrilla strategy as mentioned in the later parts of the book. All I can say to you is that something clicked. Wham, bam, thank you mam... and it all came crashing down.
This isn't to say that I didn't take some bumps on the way down myself... but this is war. There are always compromises and losses to consider, but a good strategist will find their way to the finish that services them best. In the end, I ultimately came up the winner, knowing that I was done with the futility of being in a macabre relationship, that was taking its toll, killing me slowly everyday. Gone are those days. On an even more successful note, I am happy to report that I'm still with the guy I left with. All of this has been a true blessing that has both lifted my spirits, and nourished my formerly broken mind.

If being a victim is not for you, read this classic book on strategy. Whether you realize it or not, it'll take you away from the dangers you face by being one... in one sense or another.

This book does a fantastic job at describing the strategies and backing them up with historical refferences. Some of the vocabulary is above me but I keep a dictionary near by and it does not take away from the enjoyment of reading the book. I have been in management and other leadership roles for the last 12 years, and this book can help instruct even the most seasoned commander.

Long & very slow at times but the wisdom derived from Greene's advice will be invaluable to younger people who need these types of life lessons. Certainly we'll worth the time invested. The historical analysis is also very interesting.

the breakdown to these strategies is truly colorful and vivid, also the cohesion of the chapters makes reflections meaningful. The red letters are as important as the black font letters. You can't read the book without reading the red letters. It may take you longer that way but so what? This is Robert Greene we are talking about. There's a method to the madness, so to speak. I'm not even done and I can see the ideas being burned into my everyday life as far as strategical thinking. Warfare is not only bloodshed violent chaos. Warfare is mental and happens everyday. Great book so far. If you want to get straight to the point but the concise version of his books.