The 50th Law

The 50th Law is a focused and personal supplement to Greene's earlier 48 Laws of Power. Although Greene has not had the experience of whispering advice into the ears of world leaders, he understands and writes very well about the realities of succeeding in the corporeal world. I consider Robert Greene a modern day Niccolo Machiavelli and these two works are modern versions of "The Prince".

Full disclosure: I'm founder of Sonshi.com, the largest website on Sun Tzu's Art of War and where we interviewed Mr. Greene after he wrote "33 Strategies of War" and later "The 50th Law." But please understand this: We like his works so much we invited him, not because we invited him we like his work.

Now to my review. First of all I'm an avid reader of nonfiction, specifically business books. Most business books I read are mediocre and sometimes so far from being realistic that they hold little practical value. The 50th Law is far superior to anything I have read in a long long time that I've decided to write a review here. Every paragraph in the book is PACKED with insights so profound yet clear that only someone with Robert Greene's knowledge and literary skill can pull it off. The powerfully useful concepts never let up from beginning to end (very rare in books -- most would taper off by the end). I took notes to highlight the good stuff but soon gave up because it was causing me to pause too darn often.

Here is where I'm supposed to discuss the specific topics Mr. Greene discusses in his book such as: fear, having a learning mind, adapting to your environment, death, etc. But the 50th Law's depth, clarity, wisdom are impossible for someone of my caliber to render in my own words without falling short in a tragic way. Anything I say would only shortchange the book. So I won't try. Trust me on this one, once you read this book, you'll know exactly what I mean here.

OK just for balance, here are some caveats: If you happen to like lame self-improvement books by Kenneth Blanchard and his ilk, move along -- you will never grasp this book's genius. Also if you want a detailed account of 50 Cent's life, you won't find it here; what you WILL find are extraordinary analyses of 50 Cent's major decisions, how they made him a better person, and, in turn, how the lessons from them can help you in your life. A small annoyance is the book's repetition of "(now known as 50 Cent)", which sounds fine after the 2nd time but after the 5th time it got downright strange and I wonder if an unyielding editor had a heavy hand in Robert Greene's writing; no big deal, perhaps it's just me.

To conclude, if you have read Robert Greene's previous works -- I have read them all -- you will NOT be disappointed. The 50th Law is a must read for you. If you have never read his works and if you have an open but critical mind for strategy and personal development, you will be blown away. In summary, if you want honest, logical, and useful advice, The 50th Law has it in spades. This book will change the way you look at your life forever, and, I might add, change it for the better.

Thomas Huynh, founder
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The book is interesting but it is not what I expected. I felt like it should have been more gritty or "common," as the law of the streets is similar constructed to the road of wall street. But it was not...The book is an OK read, but I would not recommend it unfortunately.

One of the best books out. I purchased this book a few times for a few guys that I know. They all love it. I decided to listen to the audio version on YT and was amazed by how business savy 50 cent is. I have changed my entire outlook on him after listening to the book.Two thumbs, two big toes, and five stars up!

The book is interesting but it is not what I expected. I felt like it should have been more gritty or "common," as the law of the streets is similar constructed to the road of wall street. But it was not...The book is an OK read, but I would not recommend it unfortunately.

One of the best books out. I purchased this book a few times for a few guys that I know. They all love it. I decided to listen to the audio version on YT and was amazed by how business savy 50 cent is. I have changed my entire outlook on him after listening to the book.Two thumbs, two big toes, and five stars up!

OK LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT, I AM A 50 FAN, A HIP HOP FAN, ALSO A VERY TENACIOUS , HARD WORKING, DRIVEN YOUNG WOMAN. THIS BOOK IS MY BIBLE , I RELATE TO EVERYTHING WRITTEN. ALSO I AM PRETTY SURE THAT NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME WINNING STYLE, SOME PEOPLE ARE MODE LAID BACK I SUPPOSE. GO FIDDY !

I have read and enjoyed "The Art of Seduction," "The 48 Laws of Power," and "The 33 Strategies of War." Though long winded at times, the books had plenty of lessons (with great historical references) that made them a pleasure to read. This is not the case with "The 50th Law."

This book tries to make itself as long as possible through font size and spacing manipulation. I compared these two factors in "The 50th Law" to "The 48 Laws of Power:"

The number of lines per page (in 16 cm of height): 28 lines in 50th Law vs. 37 lines in 48 LoP
Average number of characters per line (avg. of 3 lines & 10 cm of width): 60 in 50th Law vs. 69 in 48 LoP

That's a 24% reduction in height and a 13% reduction in width. Instead of being 288 pages, the book would have been 190 pages if it followed the same font size and spacing as 48 LoP. Not to mention that the text area in 50th Law is 10cm x 16cm and in 48 LoP it is 11cm x 20cm, which would be another 28% reduction, and now we're down to 137 pages! Normally I wouldn't gripe about this stuff. If the content is good, who cares right?

That's where the next complaint comes in. There isn't much substance, which leads to repetition and unnecessary details. The only thing this book has to teach is to be fearless. What should you be fearless of? Well, there's 10 things (according to this book):

1.) reality (see things for what they really are)
2.) self-reliance and being your own unique self
3.) life's unexpected difficulties (see the positive in any negative situation)
4.) change
5.) aggression (your own- do not be afraid to fight)
6.) leading an army from the front as opposed to the back
7.) connection with customers
8.) boredom
9.) ambition
10.) death

Add in a couple of pages for each topic and you probably have 50 good pages of content (assuming you didn't know any of this stuff already- and how could you not?). The advice is either self-evident or has been around for ages.

Not worth the $19 I spent.

read the book.
use the lessons.

stop complaining. shut up and just improve your life or situation.

read the book.
use the lessons.

stop complaining. shut up and just improve your life or situation.

read the book.
use the lessons.

stop complaining. shut up and just improve your life or situation.

This book has a lot of interesting historical anecdotes, which were the only thing I gained from it. The author repeats the same themes over and over, using scant data other than a supporting anecdote. Also, 50 Cent is held up as a flawless archetype whom we should aspire to be, and his drug dealing and gang banging largely glorified. I wonder what the author has to say now that 50 is bankrupt.

I was recommended to read this book, and multiple times at that and it has not disappointed. The amount of things I have learned is too much to list. If you are even slightly interested in reading this then buy it and read it immediately.

I had such a great experience for being the first time I am buying something online, I am a college student and I am satisfied with the product. I was expecting worse but in the contrary I got a really good book. Definitely buying here again.

Seems to be directing the reader to plan and prepare for their own suicide at one point near the end.

Very difficult to grasp a bunch of contradictory stoic readings and do anything worthwhile with it, I cannot recommend this book for anyone.

Just another way for Greene and his publishers to pull a PT Barnum and make money off us suckers.

The Power of Now by Tolle is much more useful.

Do not listen to these 3 star reviews. I'm only posting as three stars in case anyone reads these neutral reviews. This book is amazing and a must-read if you've read any other Robert Greene books. Its worth every penny. Every chapter is worth its weight in gold, and I believe its more important than the 48 laws.

Greene makes some good points, but I have some major concerns with this book. One, he implies that religion and Christianity in particular are human created social structures built by people to protect themselves of give them a sense of safety. Two, he does not actively condone the wrongs 50cent may have done in the past, but he also doesn't seem to have a problem with doing anything as a means to an end, implying that if you're bold enough to step on someone you're the better person for having done so. Three, the examples he uses of people who stepped on society's toes to get ahead are all people who climed quickly to their peak, but then rubbed so many people up the wrong way in the process that people took strong action to bring them back to ground. Living by the sword inevitably means dying by the sword if you people perceive you as the agressor. I'd recommend reading the book and keeping the positives, but take it with a dollop of salt.

This was recommended to me but I can't seem to get into it. There's nothing in there worth close to 5 star reviews that this has somehow gotten. The book is nice, it has a fake leather cover and string bookmark, but I guess it's for show because the book cover is so stiff that it's difficult to open the book. Maybe that was a sign. Within the first couple chapters, the material kept repeating itself and it was really just boring...Wow, you have to learn to do things for yourself or you'll work for someone else? Really life-changing stuff.

I bought this book after reading 48 laws of power, thinking it would be a continuation of the 48 laws. I was wrong. This book is basically a biography of 50 cent. I read the first 68 pages before I decided to move on to one of Greene's other books.

The book looks cool though. People will think you are pretty gangster if they see you reading it.

I’m not religious, but this book The 50th Law is the closest thing I have to a bible.

I was hooked on the first page of The 50th Law, and every time I turned to read another I found myself more and more able to accept the concept of fearlessness, which, growing up, was a difficult thing for me to understand.

Many people mistake fearlessness as having a lack of empathy, and being cruel to get your way. After reading this book, I’ve found that idea to be untrue. Fearlessness, as Robert Greene puts it in his own words, is when we use the fear we feel instinctively as humans to help us get farther in our life and to accomplish our goals; as opposed to using our fears against ourselves, as if we are trying to swim against a current that is too strong.

This book covers a wide range of ways to solve common problems we face in our everyday life, whether you live in a violent, impoverished area, (like that of 50 Cent’s upbringing), or a nice suburban neighborhood, the advice stays true. Here’s a few things Robert Greene and 50 Cent cover in this book:

How to analyze your surroundings and the behavior of people around you to protect yourself from being manipulated

How to influence people to serve you and be loyal to you, without taking advantage of them in an immoral fashion

How to convert fearfulness into fearlessness, with a keen sense of caution to protect you when you make your decisions in real-time
How to cope with trauma and tragedy in a way that serves you and inspires others
How to succeed in a situation where there is seemingly no hope and no way around an obstacle

These are only a few of many tips that this book provides. After reading this, the personal growth that I’ve experienced is incomparable to any other self-help book that I’ve read (and I’ve read dozens). Robert Greene has an elegant way of not sugar-coating his words, so that his message is clear, straight-to-the-point, and reasonable enough for anybody to be able to understand and follow.

As a side-note, I’d like to add how taking Nooboost has helped me read this book front-to-back despite my ADHD, which often prevents me from being able to read a single paragraph of anything. Not only that, but I felt like it gives me that extra boost of energy and motivation that I need to really get my head in the game, and apply the helpful advice that The 50th Law provides to my everyday life. That is definitely a dynamic duo to be reckoned with.

This is a "straight-shooting, hard-hitting" book, concise and expertly written.

I am coming more and more in my life to value being able to see things as they ARE, rather than as I WANT them to be. I still want what I want, but it serves me well to be clearer about how things really ARE.

Reading this book certainly presented me with new perspectives as to how Fifty Cents got to where he was in his life, and how I got to where I am in my life. And, more importantly to me, how I can adjust ... now ... where I am GOING in my life.

I suspect that this book is not for everyone ... but I liked it. Much as I liked my "rose-colored glasses," I sold them on eBay and bought Robert Greene's books, instead.

Boring diatribe which repeats a few facts about the drug dealer turned rapper's life ad nauseaum, in between hectoring the reader with a long list of life rules which you have already no doubt heard from your parents/teachers/other motivational spruikers a million times already. Save your 50 cents. Hardly a man to aspire to in any case.

If you've read any of Robert Greene's other books e.g. the 48 Laws of Power, Mastery, Art of Seduction, then you certainly won't be disappointed with this latest work, The 50th Law. Co-written by Curtis Jackson, The 50th Law explains how you can gain more power and freedom in your life by becoming more attentive to the reality of life all around you. Also, the book offers practical advice for navigating the complexities of life (e.g. how to hustle in the business world or when to be more aggressive in getting what you want/need). Whether you're a white collar professional in the business world or a blue collar worker, this book offers something for everyone in the areas of personal empowerment and stoic development of one's psyche or mindset.

What drew me to this book first is 50 cent. I've been a fan of his music in the past. Not too long ago I started to follow his interviews. Something I've noticed with him is how he is so articulate and how he can manipulate a conversation and guide it the way he wants. No other rapper I've seen can do this as well as him. This fascinated me considering where he can from. I started to read up on Robert Greene's work also, and was going to read The 48 Laws of Power. It seemed a little drawn out so I figured I'd read this book which is shorter and combines the work of both of these two people. I'm glad I did. Something has to be said about 50 cent and how he hasn't had a hit record in quite a few years, yet he is still in the top 5 richest hip hop figures, with the likes of Jay-Z and P. Diddy. 50 has a way of recognizing the extreme reality of situations and adapting that is fascinating. Greene captures this and explains it well along with examples from the lives of 50 and others to drive the points home. As with Greene's other work, I don't agree with everything he says and I don't see myself using all of the things he recommends. Not all of what he says in this book is about manipulating yourself to the top neither. Not everyone is out to get you, but some are. Not much in this book is new things I haven't read or heard somewhere else, BUT the magic is in the way he drives the point home with his examples. Keep in mind though that this book is written mostly by Robert Greene. Great book with plenty gems. I would highly recommend this book.

I heard a lot about this book as well as the author's prior book, both of which received high praise in the media and the reviews. I, for the life of me, don't know why. The information isn't revelatory . . . The writing isn't very good . . . The stories are bar stool anecdotes . . .

There are so many better books to read — books that have real, insightful, and useful information. Books like Jim Straw's Mustard Seeds, Shovels, & Mountains: How to Succeed Using Your Physio-Psychic Power which contains a veritable blueprint for starting a huge business.

Books like People Centricity: The Incredible Power of Putting Other People First that show the power — the real power — of doing right by people.

Or the classics by Napoleon Hill and Claude Bristol.

You already got 48. You can skip this one. You can do better.

This book read like it was based on only one interview of 50 cent. Greene really knows how to fill a page up with words. I'm sure this guy had no problem writing research papers in college.

I wouldn't bother with this book.

Robert Greene has created a powerful book that will likely be misunderstood by most or discounted by many because of the co-author and his past, this will be a big mistake. In my opinion Robert Greene has taken a fearless step by choosing to cast 50 Cent as a modern day hip hop Napoleon, while I see the correlation, I'm not sure I'd go quite that far.

The 50th law is about two topics near and dear to my heart, fearlessness and hustle. In this case the term hustle is used to describe the street hustling tactics and the criminal endeavors of 50 Cent, what you can't overlook is that much of what 50 Cent did was in fact criminal and had no socially redeeming qualities. That said, he showed amazing insight for a child with little education other than that received from trial and error and other hustlers. He showed an intuitive grasp of core concepts of power, of strategy, and of outright manipulation. Robert discusses those tactics in great detail and in a very interesting way, the text is incredibly motivating. I constantly found myself wondering what I might do if I applied the same kind of hustle in an ethical, legal way to my existing business and kept coming back to the same conclusion, the business would grow and my competitors would be impacted.

The key ideas in the book are:

1. Intense Realism - A very candid look at the value of seeing things as they are
2. Self Reliance - A look at making everything your own and controlling yourself and your surroundings
3. Opportunism - Finding the value in negative situations and making the best of ever situation while turning it to your advantage
4. Keep moving - Move with the chaos, don't give others a chance to pin you down, change your appearance to fit the environment
5. Aggression - Get over your fears of confronting people
6. Authority - The person at the top sets the tone
7. Connection - Think of the public first and their changing needs. Begin with their demand and create the appropriate supply.
8. Mastery - Learn to master boredom, outlast your rivals, learn early to endure the hours of practice and drudgery to build a proper foundation to grow from
9. Self Belief - Push beyond your limits. Your sense of who you are will determine your actions and what you get in life.
10. The Sublime - Confront your mortality

While this book does not contain the depth of history you've probably come to expect from Mr. Greene's writing, there is plenty of it here and it is well chosen to support the topic of each chapter.

If you were ever looking for the step by step how to apply all of Robert's other writing, this is it, all wrapped up in a very practical guide. Misunderstand or overlook this book at your own risk . . . better yet, get it now and learn it, you'll be glad you did.

Dave Lakhani
Persuasion: The Art of Getting What You Want
Subliminal Persuasion: Influence & Marketing Secrets They Don't Want You To Know
How To Sell When Nobody's Buying: (And How to Sell Even More When They Are)

I have read many books regarding the sources of power, influence, and guidance, in addition to many business books and such. The great majority are fluffy reiterations of the same old thing.

This book blows all that away in many ways. The book discusses everything from fear to power, and understanding how we imprison ourselves with limitations, advice from others, looking outside of ourselves for answers, and not undestanding the true nature of our power.

I have read this book over seven times and I am reading certain chapters again. This just means the ideas presented are deeply rooted in a lot of truth, and you really need to pause and digest some of it. It is an extremely powerful book.

It may not have much value for people who have not been through major battles, confronted real enemies, or have seen the ground shift beneath them. But I am guessing most people will experience this sooner or later.

From this perspective, the book is a gold mine of info, one of the best I've seen from a sheer philosophical and practical viewpoint.

Read it, read it again, and begin to take action from a new perspective.

I initially bought this book because I saw 50 Cent as an author receiving first billing and just had to see what a rapper's writing would look like. I didn't even read reviews on the book before picking it up, so I was surprised to see that Robert Greene was really the only one doing any writing (though, in retrospect, that does make more sense). Greene integrates 50 Cent by drawing parallels between 50's early life and fearlessness as a concept in general, as well as by simply quoting him within chapter breaks. Quotes play a central role here, coming from sources like Nietzsche and Machiavelli, not just 50. I found the pertinence of each quote to the discussion to be one of the best features of the book; Greene truly has a talent for seeking out these excerpts.

Overall, the book is fairly average. It approaches the central theme--fearlessness--from different angles, with chapters devoted to aggression, self-reliance/self-belief, and mastery woven together. I found the writing to be intriguing; the book was thought-provoking, a source for challenging ideas. This, along with the aforementioned quotes, lift the book from its average in writing to above-average in sparking internal discussion.

The book, however, has limitations. The "fear nothing" mantra at times seemed to limit Greene's breadth of content, unlike in his other book The 48 Laws of Power. The integrations with 50 Cent's life were sometimes clunky and over time became repetitive. For some reason, the author/editor constantly reminds us that Curtis Jackson is "now known as 50 Cent," an association any reader should be able to make on the first mention, especially considering he is named as a co-author.

Still, considering the expectations I had of this book, I was pleasantly surprised. It introduced me to Greene's other works, The 48 Laws of Power and The Art of Seduction, both intriguing (and much better) reads. And if you're able to see the writing as a way to explore ideas instead of as steadfast rules that need to be followed, I think many might enjoy reading it as well.

As a tremendous fan of 50 cent and his multiple business ventures - from his rap career, to buying Cheetah Vision Films and his vitamin water deal, my expectations towards this book were quite big. It is written in a typical Robert Greene Style - gives a situation from 50 cent's life and then analyzes it thoroughly. However, it somehow looked like a mix from Robert Greene's other books - 33 strategies of war/48 laws of power and didn't bring anything new to me, so was somehow disappointed. To be more precised it did contain brand new case studies from 50 cent's life, but the analysis in the end was practically the same as Robert Greene's other books.

However, if you are not familiar with Robert Greene's other books, it will still be a good read and you might be extract some value out of this book

This is a uniquely powerful self-help book which contains plenty of valid and deep insights, made vivid by relating them to the life of 50 cent. Other reviewers have summarized these insights well, so I won't repeat them in detail. But the basic idea is that getting the most out of your finite (and possibly only) life requires a courageous, confident, focused, persistent, assertive, perceptive, creative, and flexible attitude, directed by a clear and compelling vision of what you would like to achieve ... easier said than done!

This presumes that you're ambitious, and as a point of critique, I'm not sure it's valid to assume that everyone should or secretly wants to aim high; I'm willing to accept that some people may be quite content with a relatively simple and peaceful life. My other main critique is that the attitude advocated in this book, and embodied in 50 cent's life, derives from and perhaps best suits people facing highly adverse environments so, again, I'm not sure that the '50th law' should be claimed to be a universal law. Life isn't constant ruthless dog-eat-dog competition, at least not for everyone. Good intentions and cooperation are real too.

But even despite these critiques, I think this well-written book still contains lessons that apply to everyone. For that reason, I give the book 5 stars and a strong recommendation. I expect to return to this one again.

This is one of the best books I've ever read because it's material you can literally apply to your life and not theoretical junk.

I like how realistic Greene and Curtis Jackson are with the reality of hood, especially Curtis's life story and the lessons he teaches you in this book.

There are some discrepancies though:

One big con I'd like to point out is that you can't just overcome your fears in reality and then magically you get what you want. Greene's theme with the novel is being fearless but let me put it in context: You have to be "calculating" (you hear that word a lot in the book but it just means being smart/clever) and be willing to work your butt off to get what you want. Yes you have to be a little lucky (like Snapchat) but you also have to be willing to put in the hard work everyday and take risks.

Again I'd highly recommend this book but just remember that you have to be willing to work hard, take risks, and be smart out there, staying focused on your one goal. Greene mentions quite a few times Curtis selling drugs on the street and enduring the long boring hours that comes with it. Whether you write code, selling real estate, run a business, buy stock, or make music you have to be willing to do this and it's not as easy as it sounds.

In reality you have a slew of distractions - smartphones, tablets, TV, sports, video games, social networks, the internet, friends, relationships, family, your job, etc that pull for your attention.

You have to be wildly consistent everyday, spending your spare time on your one goal. Get out of your comfort zone, learn the necessary skills, take some risks, and overcome your fears. It might be boring mastering a craft, but as 50 mentions you get a far greater pleasure than the short term thrills from TV and other distractions.

Make it happen.

I enjoyed reading the book, but after learning more about Curtis Jackson via the other author, it seemed like they both wanted a book done and figured out a way to do it---yet, it didn't feel like a real collaboration...more like Greene trying to fit in Jackson's life in a deferential PC way into the story he wanted to tell about power. But it was thoughtful and gave a different perspective as well as presented Machiavelli in a different light.

The 48 laws of power are laid out in Greene's book of the same name. The 49th law is Learn The Art Of Seduction. The 50th law is Be Fearless. Greene compliments all those 50 laws with books on strategies of warfare (both internal and external), mastering your craft, and an upcoming book tentatively titled The Laws Of Human Nature. Everything he's written so far is relevant, urgent, perfectly-researched, engaging, and free of idealism and nonsense. He tells it like it is.

The most common criticism of The 50th Law boils down to “I'm smarter than this book.” I find that hard to believe. If one was smarter and a more savvy businessperson, one wouldn't need to tear down a book online. One would have already written something better.

But let's just say, for the sake of argument, that these reviewers are actually a million zillion times smarter and savvier than Greene and 50 Cent. In that case, we again have to face the inevitable questions: Why didn't/don't you write something better? Why don't you build a better business? Why does nobody know who you are?

The only possible answer is laziness. You'll get exactly as far being smart and lazy as you will by being stupid and lazy. The default state of human beings in every civilization is laziness. It's so much easier and more rewarding to write a one-star review and proclaim “I already knew all this. The author didn't tell me anything new.”

If you can read a book and not learn anything, it says nothing about the book and quite a lot about your inability to learn.

Another common criticism is, "ohmy god 5 0cent sold drugss. That is naughty Wat an evile man>he shoud be shame."

Another common criticism: "Macchiatovelli was a highly immoral Italian Rennaisance Enlightenment-era philosophiser. He twas responsible for the heinous and brutal reignatums of several. This book is evil in likewise similar fashion."

Then there are the people who say it's “self help pablum.” The word pablum is one that pseudo-intellectuals like to pretend they know how to use. So they toss it around in their reviews.

Some people say “It's difficult for me to find inspiration and true insight in 50 Cent's pearls of wisdom gained while dealing crack." That's from an actual review. Perhaps the reviewer would have liked the stories about Seneca, Napoleon, Lincoln, Malcolm X, Dostoevsky, Jane Goodall, etc that are also in the book.

Here's a good review: “50 came to know himself and the business-world/world not with an MBA or connections or money but on the streets in Southside Queens. Familiarizing himself with the depths of human psychology through trial and error, in drug dealing and the music industry. Greene came to a similar view through traveling the world, working boatloads of odd jobs, and reading tons of history... Boredom is for people who don’t listen to themselves.”

Here's a nonsense review: “It's filled with hyperbole and unsubstantiated claims, and every page includes several sentences that are desperately trying to sound profound.” Leo Polovets.

Another reviewer who is smarter than the author. My god, where have all of these geniuses been hiding and why aren't they writing better books?

In my estimation this book is another example of why Robert Greene is a great writer and the one star people are nobodies. This book is a masterpiece, but perhaps Greene's weakest. Still, Greene's weakest book is still leagues above anything most of us can accomplish on our best day.

There's no question in my mind that this is a book that people can't turn down or put away. This is something very real to put in your heart and soul. For fans of 50 Cent aka Curtis Jackson and fans of the great Robert Greene, this is the right book for you. Fans who read The 48 Laws of Power,The 33 Strategies of War (Joost Elffers Books), Sun-Tzu's the Art of War, any of Donald Trump's books including Trump: The Art of the Deal, I would say this book fits just right and shows the same principles, same examples, and same basics like you probably learn at school, the workfield, or by self-experience.

I guarantee that you wouldn't feel dissappointed of learning much of Curtis Jackson's principles and life-learned lessons he's taking off the book. This time you will get the real side of the man inside where he first started off from and become what he is today.

A similar book to the 48 laws of power by Robert Greene. The issue that I have with this book is along the lines of false advertising. This book markets itself as a collaboration of 50 cents and Greene’s ideas.

Unfortunately , 50 cent only contributed to 10% of the book while everything else is Robert Greene’s work. Especially on audio book version , 50 cent just gives the introduction of the chapter ( sentence or two) while Robert Greene does the majority of reading.

The 50th Law by Robert Greene and 50 Cent is a book detailing the individual factor that made 50 Cent's success possible. It is structured a bit like Robert Greene's other books and has significant overlap with 48 Laws of Power.

The book's overarching theme (apart from 50 Cent) is fear. Greene details how fear makes us timid and closes off opportunities for us. The concept of fear is referenced throughout the book to the character traits that Greene and 50 Cent are attributing to 50 Cent's success.
For each chapter, each character trait, there's a story from 50 Cent's life, one or two historical examples and finishing off with a vague explanation on how to apply.

I didn't find this book to be engaging like Greene's other books. The narrow focus on 50 Cent's life which simply is not enough to carry this book. Admittedly he has been through a lot, it just doesn't illustrate the character traits in the book well. The most telling sign for this is the reuse of the same few examples, how he was shot at and dropped by his record label and then created a mixtape campaign. Hustling on the streets before and after he went to jail. These examples are used for the majority of the chapters.
Unlike The 48 Laws of Power which has an abundance of historical example for each law, this book usually contains one or two historical examples.

To be honest, this book feels like a rushed and forced book. I would not recommend this, pick up The 48 Laws of Power and The 33 Strategies of War instead.

We know two things about books, especially books of this type.

First, the percentage of people who buy a book like this and actually read it, cover-to-cover, is low.

Second, the percentage among THOSE people who read the entire book and then put the ideas into sustained practice, making a profound change in their lives, is even smaller.

For many people, 2009 was a pretty rotten year. That's not to say that some people didn't prosper and make fistfuls of cash. All I'm saying is that many didn't, and the proof lies as close as the nearest newspaper, TV news broadcast, or Web article.

Doom, Gloom, and their wretched cousin...Fear...rode shotgun over most of this year. That created a market for books on fear, including Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World by Harold Kushner and Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear by Max Lucado. Now, we have this collaboration between 50 Cent and Robert Greene.

When you read the book, you'll see that there is nothing "new" here in the strict sense of the word. The ideas have all been expressed elsewhere. What makes the book unique is the way the ideas are framed, much like Greene's other books.

We know that many people choose the life of cubicle sheep because they are afraid to find their own voice and use it. As far back as "Think & Grow Rich" (1937), Napoleon Hill was encouraging his readers to make a stand, form a vision, and remove all possible avenues of retreat.

So why is there a market in 2009 for Greene and 50 Cent to publish this book?

Simple...fear...as it applies to the general public...was, is, and will always be stronger than anything on the printed page. That's why authors keep printing pages, to disprove that theory.

It's all solid advice, sage wisdom, "life lessons"...I just wonder how many people will read the book and never get out of the ditch they've dug for themselves.

My guess is "most."

"The 50th Law" written by Robert Greene and rap superstar 50 Cent, is written as a practical guide for becoming fearless, interspersed with examples from 50 Cent's own life, as well as those of famous historical figures like Napoleon, Frederick Douglas, and Thomas Edison among many others. The book is broken down into ten chapters, with each one focusing on a particular idea connected to the book's theme. What I most appreciated about this book was how easy its lessons can be applied to real life. Some of the issues discussed include embracing reality, the ability to keep moving no matter what happens, utilizing aggression and confrontation without fear, as well as the importance of self-reliance, self-belief, and connection with others among other things. Equally interesting was 50 Cent's story, stretched out between the chapters and used to demonstrate Greene's points. Growing up in South Queens with his grandparents, 50 Cent participated in New York's drug industry by acting as a hustler and working the streets from a very early age. The word "fearless," as demonstrated by Greene, applied to his life like no other. Surrounded by hostile competitors, erratic buyers, violence, and the threat of going to jail, 50 Cent's daily life as a hustler was consistently dangerous. What I found most remarkable was 50 Cent's successful integration into the music industry, despite all odds being against him. Perhaps the main lesson of this book is having the right mind set and a willingness to fight despite all obstacles. 50 Cent's quotes are included throughout the book, which is gorgeously formatted with a black leather cover and gold pages. Overall, I found this book fascinating and its lessons very pertinent to everyday life. This is bound to be a good read for not only 50 Cent and Robert Greene fans, but also anyone looking for good practical advice on how to improve their lives.

Having read this book previously when it was first published, I decided to read it again in the kindle format as I plan a new venture, and found it extremely useful in validating my vision and approach to the planning process I'm taking.

It also validated many of the life concepts and strategies I have adopted through life experiences, such as the ability to let go of experiences and individuals rather than pay the emotional pain of trying to gain back someone who doesn't want to be part of my life any longer and accepting God's reality that I need it to close that door and move forward, as well the reality of becoming fearless in order to move forward and accomplish your vision and goals.

This book relates the reality of life through fifty cents experience in a realistic manner exempt from preconceived learning and teaching from others, but instead from his reality of having to face the world by himself after his mother's death at 8 years old and having to fend by himself in a dangerousness and cruel neighborhood that is similar to experiences we face throughout our lives irregardless of titles of socio economic standards.

I recommend this book to young people and anyone experiencing any transformational experience in their lives. It's truly a great book to read.

The thing that resonated most with me about this book is that it used history and the story of 50 Cent's journey to drive home the fact that our relationship with fear has a major impact on our lives. The main lesson that I took away from this book is that I need to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and trying to make everyone happy. Most people don't reach major success until they let go of fear. This book came right on time for me and was a great supplement to the business and finance books that I have been studying. This book is a great read for anyone, but it is a MUST read for leaders and entrepreneurs.

I read 48 Laws of Power and hated it - I had to put it down because I just didn't like it at all, thought it was boring and the lessons didn't ring true for me. So I never thought I would read this book... but a very wealthy friend of mine told me "It's the best business book I've ever read" so I had to try it myself out of respect.

I was blown away by this book. It's one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. 50's story is incredible and the knowledge, inspiration and wisdom in this book is invaluable. I wish I had read it when I was 12 or 13 and just getting started in life.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the section on boredom.

"Most people can't handle boredom. That means they can't stay on one thing until they get good at it. And they wonder why they're unhappy." - 50 Cent

This book will change your life if you're willing to take it seriously.

If your familiar with the writing style Robert Green, there are no surprise's here. He interweaves a historical perspective to the problem at hand, and 50 cents story is given many of the benefits of Green's striking perspectives. My one complaint, and I've subtracted one star for this, is his constant use of Curtis Jackson, now know as 50 Cent, through out the WHOLE book. After the first chapter or even two he should have dropped it, we the reader get the connection. The simulated leather is nice and it withstood a long reading and looks nice on the shelf with my other leather books. Its a keeper, meaning one I'd not readily lend out to someone, yea get you own.

Caution: I have not read or listened to any of Robert Greene's other works, so, I have nothing to compare it to(even though I have 2 of his books and hadn't gotten around to reading them).

Review:
I loved this audiobook. The hustlers eye chapter alone was worth the cost for me. I must admit this information is about how to succeed in many areas of your life, despite Robert Greene's attempt to make this a one topic piece of work on fear. Also, I would caution someone who may not be as well read as I am that this information may not be a 5 star rating. The content resonates with me,though, I have seen it in other peoples literature, but, their languaging didn't help me connect the dots.

Lastly, the last CD talks about death and how to deal with it. I give this 5 stars because in combination of all the accumulated knowledge I gathered in my life this fits right in.

Cons: Some of you may not like the fact that 50 cent is not a large topic of discussion in this audio. Also, you may feel like you need to purchase the book as well to just reinforce and follow along better.

..Your life will be over. Will you look back on it with no regrets or will you be like the overwhelming majority of people
who will say 'What If?'

50 Cent and Robert Greene have done a masterfel job in providing instructions on how to live life successfully..and with no
regrets. The majority of people let fear dictate how they make decisions. They let fear keep them in jobs, relationships. and situations that no longer serve them. They let fear stifle their growth. 50 Cent beautifully illustrates that once you overcome the fear of death, there is NOTHING else to fear. You live life with a greater confidence in your God-given talents. You make the most of everyday. You pursue your passions to the point that it's no longer 'work' in a traditional sense but a labor of love. You are willing to practice regularly to master your craft.

In addition, the authors talk about the importance of being fluid, unconventional and challenging industry norms in a strategic way. For example, most businesses in an industry all market the same way. Instead of following the herd, why not study what's successful in other industries and apply it to your own? That's how breakthroughs happen! You have to be able to adapt to the changing marketplace quickly so you can profit from it.

50 cent also talks about thinking long-term and looking into the future and not just being focused on today. Most people are so caught up in their life situations or 'problems' that they fail to use their mind's eye to see 'the battlefield' or the bigger picture.

I love that 50 talked about becoming more self-reliant. That's a hard thing to do if you're always relying on a company to provide you with a regular paycheck or for job security. To me, it's almost like living at home with your parents as a grown adult with no plans of moving out anytime soon. He also talks about being careful to not be so seduced by technology. By all means, leverage technology to the fullest and maintain a sharp mind in the process. Unfortunately, technology has a way of 'dumbing down' people..if you let it.

So I recommend you read the book, apply the instructions and take ownership of your life...before it's too late. 50 cent had to take ownership of his life at an early age given his dire circumstances. Why not be proactive and CHOOSE to take ownership of your life now?

John Hinds
Author of "What's In Your Water?" available on the store

This book paraphrases the ingredients for success. You need to have faith in yourself, rather than seek salvation from the outside. Being nice doesn't mean being a pushover. Lots of examples from history to reinforce their thesis. Enjoyable read, but like any self-help book, reading alone won't suffice. It must also be applied.

I was able to read about 50% of this book. I am familiar with 48 Laws of Power, so it's basically the same book, applied to 50 Cent's life. I was somewhat disappointed with this book, cause it's too repetitive. Nearly each chapter stresses the idea of being 'fearless and bold'. If I could summarize this book, it would be 'be fearless and bold'.

The author bored me with endless quotes and history stories of being fearless and bold. Half the book is about 50's life and the other half, is the quotes and stories somewhat parallel with 50's life. Comparing 50 Cent to Napoleon is like comparing apples to oranges. I also disagree with the author's premise that everyone is after power, no matter what your age or social status, that's just ridiculous.

It's a somewhat negative book and it lacks the spiritual aspect of 50 Cent's life. It focuses too much about search for power. If you're familiar with 50's movie and 48 Laws of Power, skip this book, you'll save yourself several hours.

Robert Greene has written another great book. What I got out of this writing was that you need to be fearless! 50 Cent epitomized this as a street hustler, music artist and business person. Overcoming objections and fears allows to you live in the moment you are in and analyze situations better with a rational mind than on emotion and irrationality. Robert Greene explains how you are able to overcome these fears by taking the examples from the the lives of Machiavelli, Frederick Douglass, Seneca the Younger, Isaac Newton, FDR and many many more.

This book was a briefer version of some of his other well known and compelling books and would highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to try and bolster their own personal self confidence, understanding, and strategic pathway to negotiations throughout life. Robert Greene is a phenomenal author and is a staple on my bookshelf.

Being a fan of Robert Greene (I often consult his works for advice), I was delighted to get my hands on his fourth book. It looks quite unusual, with is leather-look cover and gold pages one could mistake it for the Bible. This is Roberts first collaboration and a surprising one at that, with rap-mogul 50 Cent. 50 embodies the rags-to-riches myth, and with such an unusual life, he has - a lot - of stories to share. In addition to historical examples, Robert uses a living person as his main inspiration, and this makes the book feel more modern and alive. 50's experience, coupled with Roberts razor-sharp analytical insight result in this `Hustlers Bible'.

The good stuff starts with the introduction, where the 50th Law is revealed on p.18: "The greatest fear people have is that of being themselves". This is no an empty proverb, the book very clearly explains its meaning. The main theme of the book is fearlessness. Robert and 50 mapped out ten common types of fears and the power one can obtain by overcoming them.

Chapter 1 - Intense Realism x Fear of the ugly truth
Chapter 2 - Self-Reliance x Fear of being alone
Chapter 3 - Opportunism x Fear of threatening events
Chapter 4 - Calculated Momentum x Fear of change
Chapter 5 - Aggression x Fear of confrontation
Chapter 6 - Authority x Fear of responsibility
Chapter 7 - Connection x Fear of people who are different
Chapter 8 - Mastery x Fear of boredom, fear of practice
Chapter 9 - Self-Belief x Fear of failure
Chapter 10 - the Sublime x Fear of death

The chapters are structured in the following way:
1) presentation of a problem/fear, illustrated with examples from 50's life (and historical examples),
2) the fearless approach - describes how to overcome this fear, the principles, in general terms,
3) keys to fearlessness - offers practical strategies for mastering these principles (here's where the work is at)

The idea is to apply the strategies (described under `keys to fearlessness') to your own life.
The book itself is a very entertaining read, but to reap its benefits you'll have to re-read it, seek out connections in your own life, and act accordingly. Forget the 'easy fix', as written in Ch. 8: "The real secret for power in this world lies in accepting the ugly reality that learning demands patience,..."

One topic that has resonated with me personally, is the "trap of the middle class": having a stable job, without real satisfaction with your life and career, but without an urgent reason to change your job into something more exciting, or to live life into a more fulfilling way. It's a wake-up call.

The book feels like there has been great care put into it (in contrast to many self-help titles that offer empty wisdom). If you're willing to put in the effort, "The 50th Law" will help you to move on to a freer and more satisfying life.

This is a good book to buy and read. The book focuses on the concept of humans and fear. The book uses events from historians such as Fredrick Douglas and napoleon as well as the events of 50s life. Granted most of the book was great to read and made me think, there were things that I didn't like about this book. First of all the book resembles a bible, with gold trimmings and a black string book mark in the bind of the book. The information with in the text began to be repetitive and boring. The book does lack in history references which is unlike Mr. Greene but not necessarily a bad thing. I could also tell the sections of each chapter written by 50 and his writers and Greene. Over all I believe there is a lot to be observed and discussed with this book, however it does have some unexpected flaws.

As with all of Robert Greene's books, you have to read it with an open mind. They enlighten you and give you a taste of the world of power. These books can be used to protect you or take advantage of others. As with any form of knowledge, it's a matter of what you as an individual choose to do with it.

I first saw this book while visiting in Washington State. I looked at it and thought it was some kind of joke. I had many preconceptions about this book. It caught my eye because it resembled a Bible and I am a believer in Christ. I read a few pages and was amazed that it was not just a ridiculous book about 50 Cent and his exploits. As I read on, it quickly grabbed my attention. I realized that this book contained real depth. Although I did not purchase the book at that time, I made a mental note of it. I went on the Internet and read all the reviews about it and researched who Robert Greene was and his relationship to 50 Cent. I also watched all the video reviews about it. I did not want to waste the most important asset of mine which is my time, on any book that is not good. I concluded this book is something I definitely would like to purchase and read in the near future.

A few weeks later when I flew back home to California. I knew I had to buy it. Well I will tell you this, I had many different thoughts about what this book might turn out to be upon reading it. However upon reading it and finishing it I can tell you this with all honesty. This is one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life. In fact it's in my top 5 books of all time. This book is written grammatically brilliant. It has a lot of historical references, and in my opinion, a motivational book. The author wrote about it being about fear, I did not think it was just about fear. It seemed more about being all that you can be in this life, the real you. Additionally, it helps you to see how people can be, the good and the bad. Honestly, I was sad when I finished reading this book. I was sad because the mentoring, the strategies and all the great things I learned were over. I am sure The 50th law has helped me in many ways, in my confidence, life and in business. Most importantly, I must now walk out with what I learned in my own life in a personal way.

Thank you Robert Greene and 50 Cent for writing this awesome book.

Sincerely,

Christopher Aceves
C.E.O.
Valiant 3D.4D Corporation
[...]
(626) 709-4503

Interactive Agency / Web Design / Advertising / 3D Graphics / Rich Internet Applications / Social Networking

Compared to all of Greene's books, this and Strategies of War were the least compelling in my eyes. This is the shortest and most "simple" if you will, focusing on fears (or lack thereof). I am a hip-hop fan, so there was intrigue being that 50 was involved (though I never particularly cared for him). I was going to buy this book based on Greene's involvement regardless. I hear Greene's next book is a doozy, so I eagerly await that. The 50th Law is only so-so, but for Greene fans (or hip hop fans) still probably essential reading.

I have to say this is one of the most masterfully written books of this century. Not only am I a fan of C. Jackson and the life he CREATED with this mindset and discipline, I am also wildly impressed with how well Greene is able to capture 50's principle (along with all the other brilliant independent successful thinkers included)in a book.

You owe it to yourself to pick this up and give your self a dose of reality and the relentless pursuit to whatever you want. Be fearless and have the life you want. It is that simple.

Thank you 50 for sharing and Thank You R. Greene for seeing the masterpiece on paper! Truly a blueprint to modern day success...

I'll never forget reading this book. It made me look at everything in a different, yet positive way. I remember when i finished reading it and thought to myself. It's amazing how much wisdom can be contained in such a small book. 50 cent and Robert Greene are a perfect combination for such a book. Loved all the examples and the direct correlations to 50 cent's career and how the fearless attitude has helped him in more ways than one.

Nihil Timendum Est!

After re-reading of The 50th Law, I have a couple thoughts I'd like to share.

First, this is a book that is directly applicable to everyone, regardless of where you're from, where you are at now in your life, etc. Fear (the topic of The 50th Law), is something we all struggle with daily. The book does a great job in its ten chapters of describing the different types of fear we encounter in our everyday lives. However, the book goes beyond that. Instead of stopping at only the philosophy of overcoming your fears, The 50th Law gives no-nonsense ways you can incorporate the philosophy into your life. Many books are "theory" only, however, Greene adds in "application," which is vital. (The chapter on self-reliance is fantastic.)

Next, I've read some criticism that the book doesn't delve deeper into 50 Cent's life. The book is this way for good reason: the focus of the book is on fear, not 50 Cent. Writing a book utilizing 50 Cent's history while keeping the focus on fear is a delicate balancing act. Too much about 50 Cent and the book becomes about him, not about the mindset/philosophy that he embodies.

I've read further criticism that this book isn't like Greene's other works. That's a good thing. Ultimately, the fearlessness in The 50th Law is beyond the tactics/strategy/what-not of Greene's other titles. The latter comes from the former. Finally, if The 50th Law would have been full of historical examples, it would have been unnecessarily long. The pacing and length of the book is perfect: long enough to fully cover the topic, but short enough that it doesn't drag on and is re-readable.

Again, this is a terrific book that is infinitely applicable to people of all walks of life.

I wasn't surprised with Robert Greene, i already knew he was brilliant and a mastermind at what he does. 50 cent is also brilliant but in another craft. I supposed writing rhymes helped him convey his thoughts and experiences with Robert Greene on his side. The book was amazing and had a new age feel to old age lessons. Fantastic.

This is one of the most important books ever written. The insights I gained were invaluable. My copy is full of highlighted and underlined sentences and scribbled notes on the margins. I wholly recommend this book to everyone. I am not a huge fan of Hip Hop but 50 Cent's story is unforgettable. Through strong adversity, he persevered, never losing sight of his goal. Everyone can learn from it and apply the principles Robert Greene and 50 Cent share to their own lives.

I was astonished with the sophistication of this book! I believe this book is on par with Hustler's Law by JW Brown, who is a lawyer. One distinct difference is that the 50th Law is macro while Hustler's Law is micro.

The 50th Law, a book like nothing you've ever read before. I first expected a continuation of Mr. Greene's other books (48 LOP, TAOS); this is to say the least completely different. Fearlessness is the basic focus of The 50th Law. The book explains how fear can cripple most people from living their lives well and with power. It also gives examples of those who lived on the fringes of society, who applied themselves fearlessly to the mastery of their own particular goals in the midst of despairing circumstance. The book's co-author 50 Cent, is one of Robert Greene's most adept pupils who rose in fame, money and power in a few short years amidst many life-changing setbacks. What an inspiration for anyone who wants more than their current situation in life can give them right now. This book is for the hustler, he doesn't think like everyone else because so many people are afraid to have his responsibilities and therefore don't enjoy his rewards. That's the book's "audience", the hustlers who make ways were none seem to be available and prosper because of it. This is why the hustler will always find a way to have power in this world. Read this book with an open mind, you may realize that fear is the only thing holding you back from what you truly want. It may be hard, gritty and abrasive yet this is the only book that will tell you the truth about how exactly one rises to power in this world; it's not pretty and it's fearless.

I learned how to be a better boss and lose some of the fear that I used to hold to make me a better boss and business woman. I really enjoyed it and thank 50 for sharing his story. :D They made it very easy to understand the transitions in his life and how you can apply some of those factors to your own life.

The book is about a particular philosophy of life: your fears are a kind of prison that confines you within a limited range of action. The less you fear, the more (positive) power you will have and the more fully you will live.

Robert Greene brings in all his deep knowledge and wisdom of the topic. While he uses many topics from his last 3 books, the reader familiar with his work finds an even better Greene in this book (which is very difficult to achieve!).

ROBERT GREENE + 50 CENTS = WORLD CLASS ACHIEVEMENT !!!

This is a book that delves into the hustler mentality but also provides much more than the perspective of the hustler. I enjoy Robert Greene's books, and not so much because of the manipulative aspects but because they seem to touch on what reality has to offer. Nothing is as smooth in our society as people would like it to be. Greene understands this all too well, and to collaborate with 50 Cent on a book similar to The 48th Laws of Power and The 33 Strategies of War is a great move in itself. I have read Robert Greene's books over and over, and I will probably do the same with this book. Fear nothing.

Just picked this book up. It is a unique read. I would have to say that this book is well worth the money. I actually enjoyed it! Thumbs up! Reading this book gave me lots of insight to what is going on in my life. Thumbs up for this wonderful book!

This is my first book that I have read from both authors and after completing this book I have become very interested in reading their previous works. I think some of the reviewers are wrong to call this book a simple biography of Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) as written by Robert Greene. This book certainly talks about his upbringing in Southside Queens and his rise to fame and power. But I wouldn't call it a biography as this book is more interested in "how" Curtis became the man he is than just providing a simple chronological narrative of his life. This "how" is what the book is all about as it outlines the steps that one must take to became fearless and draws parallels between Curtis' life and some of the most respected and accomplished individuals throughout history (Napolean Bonaparte, Miles Davis, Frederick Douglas, Malcolm X, etc).

From what I know of Robert Greene his previous works are more about strategy and how to obtain power, money, and sex. His writing style has a somewhat what immoral vibe to it that at first made me feel somewhat guilty in reading. But after simply taking some time to think about what he's written you'll begin to realize that he's just purely stating the cold hard truth about us as people and about life. If its to much for you to take in than that's your loss, as there are real life lessons to be learned here.

There are so many wondeful stories in this book about individuals throughout history who decided to buck the current trend or philosophy and did what they want to do and became fearless in the process. To not read this book purely because you are not a fan of 50 Cent or Robert Greene would be an error in judgement as there is something here for everyone. My personal favorite story in this book is when a young 50 Cent (than currently hustling in Southside Queens) begins to complain about the complexities and hard life of a hustler to an older hustler named Truth. Truth's response is priceless and has become the philosophy from which I now live by. I don't want to spoil it but it really is that poignant and powerful. In summary read this book! You won't be sorry.

Started reading this book 3 days ago, and believe me, this book gets your intellect all fired up to look through the fog, which clouds your mind.. FEAR NOTHING. My city, Mumbai, had been called the "Boot Camp of business", where the system operates against you, due to the sheer scale of corruption,population and competition, (mind you I am not complaining) similar to the way Southside has been described in the 80's for a guy like 50. Having said that I do find a lot of subtle undertones to the teachings of J Krishnamurthi, especially Chapter 1 on perception..Coincidentally Rubin "Hurricane" Carter whose life has been referred to briefly in this book, was also inspired by the philosophy of J. Krishnamurthi. In fact listening to any of 50 Cents's music now, feels liberating.

I believe that The 50th Law is without a shadow of a doubt Robert Greene's best work. The reason I say this is because unlike his previous books, where he deals with mostly European monarchs and other people of high birth, The 50th Law is the story of a man who was born with nothing, and who had to build an empire from scratch.

Although I'm a fan of all of Robert's works, and read them all annually, I'm very attracted to The 50th Law because as a Black man, I can identify more with Curtis Jackson than I can with Alexander the Great, Queen Elizabeth, Metternich, and Talleyrand, all individuals of European descent who were of noble birth. With these people, you have to question whether or not they would have been successful in life if they had not been born into wealth and royalty.

Curtis Jackson, on the other hand, is superior than all of them because he grew up poor without a mother or father and still managed to carve out a $400+ million empire, in a country where Whites own the majority of the wealth. I highly recommend this book for Black people especially, because it provides them with a road map on how they to can beat a system that is designed to keep them in bondage and prevent them from living the life of their dreams.

The 50th Law is the story of a hustler. I do however feel that some of what is said is a mixture of truth and deception, in regards to the life of Curtis Jackson. For example, the book says Curtis was shot nine times, while I've read in other places that he was shot "at" nine time and only three bullets landed. Then there is the fact that the name "50 Cent" was taken from a real stick up guy named Kelvin Martin who in the 80s was shot and died in a hospital. Curtis basically took the alias of this dead guy to create his own fame, so you have to wonder how much of his story is accurate. Robert admits in the book that Curtis used deception in many ways to alter the public perception of him, and I think this is done in the book as well.

What is accurate is the principles discussed in the book. Regardless of whether certain events in Jackson's life were fictional are not, the truth is that Curtis Jackson is a remarkable Black man who built up an empire in a country which is not designed for people like him to build empires. This book, as well as Robert's other books, are recommended reading, especially for African Americans who are at the bottom of the social economic pyramid and who even today still suffer from economic bondage and discrimination in ways which are difficult for them to fathom.

As I read the opening chapter "The Fearful Attitude" I became angry at myself at how far I had strayed from the childhood version of me. The one who was not afraid of anything. The one who lived in the moment and let the proverbial chips fall where they may. This book opened my eyes to the fact that most people believe life makes us wiser as we age, but perhaps we are confusing wisdom with fear. In one of 50 Cent's quotes, which is now etched into my memory he explains that "the greatest fear that most people have is that of being themselves". I believe that to some extent we are all living that fear and that it is a principle impediment to our own personal power. The authors explain so eloquently that the one thing that makes us different and unique is the very thing we have come to fear and run from ....our individuality.

I couldn't help but feel that I knew this concept of fearlessness a very long time ago, but it had been slowly and arbitrarily weeded from mind through years of conformity to the opinions of others. It was almost as though i was being woken up from a very long sleep as I read. The person that was waking me up was reading me quotes from Malcolm X and Emerson. This book will serve as a wake up call to anyone who is tired of the puppet play on stage and desires to pull back the curtains and see who and what are pulling the stings.

As always Robert Greene dishes a cold plate of reality as only he can. Greene is the master of perspective. His way of seeing life as a game to be played is nothing short of genius. The ideas and concepts that he offers the reader will not seem foreign or new but will feel more like truths we are all innately born with,but have some how been stripped from us as we go through life. Robert Greene and 50 Cent give the back in words what we have all lost and struggle to articulate. This is the magic of reading this book. Greene is the only author I have ever read who leaves everything that we should say and think at the door and lets inside the reality of what is really going on in life and does it so eloquently.

This book is not for those who hold onto illusions but rather for those who seek what is real.As 50 Cent is quoted in the book... " Reality is my drug.The more I have of it, the more power I get and the higher I feel"
Words to live by.

This book covers a wide variety of aspects. What really helped me was his advice that sometimes you must be aggressive as a lion, as cunning as a fox, have the vision of a hawk and be as fluid as water. His chapter on being "bad" really stood out. Must read for anyone in self help.

The chapter I liked best was the chapter on Self-Reliance. When people continue to look outside themselves for "salvation", they become disappointed and jaded. Gandhi stated to be the change one desires to see in the world. The 50th Law forces people to look for their messiah, savior, Christ, Buddha or Madhi in the mirror. That's who will save them.

WOW! I'm an avid reader of personal development books and the 50th Law has CHANGED MY LIFE!

When I first found this amazing book, I was a bit skeptical to say the least. But, after reading it in the book store, I couldn't put it down. Robert Greene takes the laws and principles from the streets and combines them with his own flavor to produce a book like no other. While the 48 Laws of Power might suffice for many people, the 50th Law is for the modern day person seeking success in life.

The main things to watch for in this book:

- How to Live Fearless

- How to Turn the Worst Scenarios into the BEST Opportunities

- Lead by Example aka Practice what you Preach

Don't wait until you read every review out there, do yourself a favor and get this book. It is the answer to all you problems, I promise.

I first saw this book while visiting in Washington State. I looked at it and thought it was some kind of joke. I had many preconceptions about this book. It caught my eye because it resembled a Bible and I am a believer in Christ. I read a few pages and was amazed that it was not just a ridiculous book about 50 Cent and his exploits. As I read on, it quickly grabbed my attention. I realized that this book contained real depth. Although I did not purchase the book at that time, I made a mental note of it. I went on the Internet and read all the reviews about it and researched who Robert Greene was and his relationship to 50 Cent. I also watched all the video reviews about it. I did not want to waste the most important asset of mine which is my time, on any book that is not good. I concluded this book is something I definitely would like to purchase and read in the near future.

A few weeks later when I flew back home to California. I knew I had to buy it. Well I will tell you this, I had many different thoughts about what this book might turn out to be upon reading it. However upon reading it and finishing it I can tell you this with all honesty. This is one of the best books I have ever read in my entire life. In fact it's in my top 5 books of all time. This book is written grammatically brilliant. It has a lot of historical references, and in my opinion, a motivational book. The author wrote about it being about fear, I did not think it was just about fear. It seemed more about being all that you can be in this life, the real you. Additionally, it helps you to see how people can be, the good and the bad. Honestly, I was sad when I finished reading this book. I was sad because the mentoring, the strategies and all the great things I learned were over. I am sure The 50th law has helped me in many ways, in my confidence, life and in business. Most importantly, I must now walk out with what I learned in my own life in a personal way.

Thank you Robert Greene and 50 Cent for writing this awesome book.

Sincerely,

Christopher Aceves
C.E.O.
Valiant 3D.4D Corporation
[...]
(626) 709-4503

Interactive Agency / Web Design / Advertising / 3D Graphics / Rich Internet Applications / Social Networking

Compared to all of Greene's books, this and Strategies of War were the least compelling in my eyes. This is the shortest and most "simple" if you will, focusing on fears (or lack thereof). I am a hip-hop fan, so there was intrigue being that 50 was involved (though I never particularly cared for him). I was going to buy this book based on Greene's involvement regardless. I hear Greene's next book is a doozy, so I eagerly await that. The 50th Law is only so-so, but for Greene fans (or hip hop fans) still probably essential reading.

I have to say this is one of the most masterfully written books of this century. Not only am I a fan of C. Jackson and the life he CREATED with this mindset and discipline, I am also wildly impressed with how well Greene is able to capture 50's principle (along with all the other brilliant independent successful thinkers included)in a book.

You owe it to yourself to pick this up and give your self a dose of reality and the relentless pursuit to whatever you want. Be fearless and have the life you want. It is that simple.

Thank you 50 for sharing and Thank You R. Greene for seeing the masterpiece on paper! Truly a blueprint to modern day success...

I'll never forget reading this book. It made me look at everything in a different, yet positive way. I remember when i finished reading it and thought to myself. It's amazing how much wisdom can be contained in such a small book. 50 cent and Robert Greene are a perfect combination for such a book. Loved all the examples and the direct correlations to 50 cent's career and how the fearless attitude has helped him in more ways than one.

Nihil Timendum Est!

After re-reading of The 50th Law, I have a couple thoughts I'd like to share.

First, this is a book that is directly applicable to everyone, regardless of where you're from, where you are at now in your life, etc. Fear (the topic of The 50th Law), is something we all struggle with daily. The book does a great job in its ten chapters of describing the different types of fear we encounter in our everyday lives. However, the book goes beyond that. Instead of stopping at only the philosophy of overcoming your fears, The 50th Law gives no-nonsense ways you can incorporate the philosophy into your life. Many books are "theory" only, however, Greene adds in "application," which is vital. (The chapter on self-reliance is fantastic.)

Next, I've read some criticism that the book doesn't delve deeper into 50 Cent's life. The book is this way for good reason: the focus of the book is on fear, not 50 Cent. Writing a book utilizing 50 Cent's history while keeping the focus on fear is a delicate balancing act. Too much about 50 Cent and the book becomes about him, not about the mindset/philosophy that he embodies.

I've read further criticism that this book isn't like Greene's other works. That's a good thing. Ultimately, the fearlessness in The 50th Law is beyond the tactics/strategy/what-not of Greene's other titles. The latter comes from the former. Finally, if The 50th Law would have been full of historical examples, it would have been unnecessarily long. The pacing and length of the book is perfect: long enough to fully cover the topic, but short enough that it doesn't drag on and is re-readable.

Again, this is a terrific book that is infinitely applicable to people of all walks of life.

I wasn't surprised with Robert Greene, i already knew he was brilliant and a mastermind at what he does. 50 cent is also brilliant but in another craft. I supposed writing rhymes helped him convey his thoughts and experiences with Robert Greene on his side. The book was amazing and had a new age feel to old age lessons. Fantastic.

This is one of the most important books ever written. The insights I gained were invaluable. My copy is full of highlighted and underlined sentences and scribbled notes on the margins. I wholly recommend this book to everyone. I am not a huge fan of Hip Hop but 50 Cent's story is unforgettable. Through strong adversity, he persevered, never losing sight of his goal. Everyone can learn from it and apply the principles Robert Greene and 50 Cent share to their own lives.

I was astonished with the sophistication of this book! I believe this book is on par with Hustler's Law by JW Brown, who is a lawyer. One distinct difference is that the 50th Law is macro while Hustler's Law is micro.

The 50th Law, a book like nothing you've ever read before. I first expected a continuation of Mr. Greene's other books (48 LOP, TAOS); this is to say the least completely different. Fearlessness is the basic focus of The 50th Law. The book explains how fear can cripple most people from living their lives well and with power. It also gives examples of those who lived on the fringes of society, who applied themselves fearlessly to the mastery of their own particular goals in the midst of despairing circumstance. The book's co-author 50 Cent, is one of Robert Greene's most adept pupils who rose in fame, money and power in a few short years amidst many life-changing setbacks. What an inspiration for anyone who wants more than their current situation in life can give them right now. This book is for the hustler, he doesn't think like everyone else because so many people are afraid to have his responsibilities and therefore don't enjoy his rewards. That's the book's "audience", the hustlers who make ways were none seem to be available and prosper because of it. This is why the hustler will always find a way to have power in this world. Read this book with an open mind, you may realize that fear is the only thing holding you back from what you truly want. It may be hard, gritty and abrasive yet this is the only book that will tell you the truth about how exactly one rises to power in this world; it's not pretty and it's fearless.

I learned how to be a better boss and lose some of the fear that I used to hold to make me a better boss and business woman. I really enjoyed it and thank 50 for sharing his story. :D They made it very easy to understand the transitions in his life and how you can apply some of those factors to your own life.

The book is about a particular philosophy of life: your fears are a kind of prison that confines you within a limited range of action. The less you fear, the more (positive) power you will have and the more fully you will live.

Robert Greene brings in all his deep knowledge and wisdom of the topic. While he uses many topics from his last 3 books, the reader familiar with his work finds an even better Greene in this book (which is very difficult to achieve!).

ROBERT GREENE + 50 CENTS = WORLD CLASS ACHIEVEMENT !!!

This is a book that delves into the hustler mentality but also provides much more than the perspective of the hustler. I enjoy Robert Greene's books, and not so much because of the manipulative aspects but because they seem to touch on what reality has to offer. Nothing is as smooth in our society as people would like it to be. Greene understands this all too well, and to collaborate with 50 Cent on a book similar to The 48th Laws of Power and The 33 Strategies of War is a great move in itself. I have read Robert Greene's books over and over, and I will probably do the same with this book. Fear nothing.

I only wish that 50 and Robert had expounded more on the Miles Davis quote about the blue flame over the gas stove. In reading this quote,I am reminded of 50's question recently about what would motivate a woman to not stick with her God ordained mate. El Shaddai being "He who answers" reminds us all that "regardless of having such a background,if persons now abandon their former unclean paractices, apply His righteous standards, and exercise faith in His provision for forgiveness of sins through Christ, they can enjoy a clean standing before God. After reforming, they may be welcomed in the Christian Congregation. True Christians know that even deeply rooted wrong desires, including those that may have a genetic basis or that involve physical causes or environmental factors are not insurmountable for those who want to please Jehovah."-Reasoning from the Scriptures

This is a shining example of what happens when a great author sells out.

It's painfully obvious that Greene was paid an absurd amount of money [by 50 Cent himself] to write this utterly embarrassing installment to the series. He'd get a nice fat paycheck to write it -- combined with the lucrative selling potential garnered from his fan-base, as well as 50 Cent's fan-base, how could he refuse? I mean, I can appreciate the motives behind selling-out, but that doesn't keep me from feeling intellectually nauseated.

"The 50th Law" is a tumor among the minds of those who truly appreciate his previous works; and what they stand for. You're left with nothing but buyer's remorse, and a bad taste in your heart.

Hopefully, with "Mastery", Greene will redeem himself...although after this glimmering atrocity, I'm a bit hesitant.

If you are a fan of Robert Greene books, then you should definitely purchase this book. This text is a lot more brief and simplified than the 48 Laws of Power or the Art of Seduction. The idea of fearing nothing is a critical approach towards increasing power in your life. This book can be considered the law that makes all the other laws powerful. If you are disabled by fear, you can not pursue power.

Think of the 50th Law as the most important law.

Maybe its me. I don't know, I read 100's of books per year. This I couldn't get into. I've never been a fan of 50 & suspect a motive behind Greene's association, but what do I know, (or care) I'm not really of that ilk. I gave it 2 stars because I suppose there are some who will get something from it. All I want to say is Richard Wright (1 of my all time hands down favorites), Baldwin, Dostoyevsky, Douglass, Malcolm? (okay maybe Malcolm). Does/did 50 even know who these men were prior to "writing" this book? One would surmise, if he did, his life would have turned out different? Ya think?

Honestly don't understand why there are so many positive reviews for this book. I thought it was really pretty silly. Very repetitive, using the same anecdotes from 50's life over and over again. The book boils down to one principle: fear nothing. That's it. It then proceeds to repeat that advice in different words about 500 times until you reach the end of the book. I thought it was pretty disappointing and I definitely wouldn't recommend that anyone purchase it. The only plus side was that there were a few interesting quotes and historical references. Otherwise, I thought it was a dud.

I am a great fan of Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power, having read it multiple times and seen it's truths in the real world. I was therefore very disappointed that he has attached his name to this empty and simplistic work, which reads like a propaganda piece for the greater glory of 50 Cent.
The premise of the book is that the "realism", fearlessness, and self-reliance that 50 Cent learned in the drug culture of his youth will bring success to you in your pursuits. This is a wrong and even dangerous idea--and in fact is not realism at all. In reality the "laws" of criminal culture are completely out of touch with society (that's why it's called anti-social behavior) and even within the drug culture you're very likely to end up in jail or dead, regardless of your fearlessness, etc.
Another problem I have is that many ideas in this book contradict many of the original 48 Laws of Power. The great thing about the 48 Laws is Robert Greene's sophisticated illumination of the subtle rules of social interaction, and how certain behaviors have a psychological effect on others. There is nothing of the kind in the 50th Law. Instead we are told to cultivate "self-reliance", an over-rated concept that violates many of the 48 Laws (Law 18, Don't Isolate Yourself; Law 24, Play The Perfect Courtier; Law 43, Work on the Hears and Minds of Others). A quick look at history will show that great rulers understand power as a web of relationships. Julius Caesar was able to rise to power because of the loyalty of his army and the love of the Roman people. Bill Clinton could charm his way to the presidency because common people believed he understood their lives. This is the way power works in the real world.
Finally, there is a complete avoidance of the real reason 50 Cent achieved success, and that is he has a talent for rap music. I'm not a fan of rap, but obviously for his work to get the attention of Eminem and then sell as much as he has shows that he offers something unique and creative that people like. The reader is left to ponder whether another person of lesser talents would have achieved his success, regardless of their adopting the advice in this book.
Of course this is not to say that realism, fearlessness, and self-reliance are not qualities worth cultivating; they certainly are. But context is everything--and selling simplistic maxims based on one man's criminal past and current success in the music business is nothing more than hype.
I will give this book credit for one thing, it proves Law number 32 of the 48 Laws of Power: Play to People's Fantasies.

I'll keep this review short, as I dont see it worth wasting too much time on. Robert Greene's prior book (48 Laws of Power) was a good read. This, is not. It's basically a somewhat obvious attempt to make 50 Cent look like something besides a thug who can make words rhyme. Perhaps it was just me, but if youre going to use someone as an example of cunning, subversive psychology, leadership, foresight etc, you're going to have to come with a somewhat more substantial character than 50 Cent. What series of terrible choices prompted him getting a co-author on the book, I can only imagine. An unfortunate and poor choice of sponsorship by Robert Greene, an otherwise good author.

Fast forward to 2015 and 50 Cent is going bankrupt, looking at 5 million dollar lawsuit and now claims he is broke and that his lavish lifestyle was fake. All the gold jewelry and cars were rented or burrowed. So you can rap songs like "P.I.M.P.," "Straight to the Bank," and "I Get Money, but apparently that doesn't mean you really get the money.

He singed such a bad contract with his recording label that he says he gets 10 cents per record.

50 Cent sure doesn't seem like the kinda guy I want to read about and follow his lead for success. Looks like the 51st Law is how to fake a lavish lifestyle and riches and then go broke.

I had such a great experience for being the first time I am buying something online, I am a college student and I am satisfied with the product. I was expecting worse but in the contrary I got a really good book. Definitely buying here again.

I've enjoyed all of Robert Greene's works so far. This one sucks. It resembles a bible, with gold-edged pages and a flexible pleather cover. It's much shorter than his other books, which were about kings, generals, politicians, etc. who shaped history. This book is about a rapper. I understand the 48 Laws has become popular among the prison crowd. Mr. Greene must see a market for his writing in this low-life, criminal, street garbage. He doesn't burden them with too much history or culture in this one. What a huge disappointment.

When I read this book, it seemed to have been written by someone else; not Robert Greene. I liked the tone, and intrigue of The Art of Seduction, and The 48 Laws of Power.
What happened Robert? Please go back to the way that you used to write-- eloquently. This book seemed "dumbed-down".
Nevertheless, I hope it sells well, it is just clearly for a different audience than before.

I only wish that 50 and Robert had expounded more on the Miles Davis quote about the blue flame over the gas stove. In reading this quote,I am reminded of 50's question recently about what would motivate a woman to not stick with her God ordained mate. El Shaddai being "He who answers" reminds us all that "regardless of having such a background,if persons now abandon their former unclean paractices, apply His righteous standards, and exercise faith in His provision for forgiveness of sins through Christ, they can enjoy a clean standing before God. After reforming, they may be welcomed in the Christian Congregation. True Christians know that even deeply rooted wrong desires, including those that may have a genetic basis or that involve physical causes or environmental factors are not insurmountable for those who want to please Jehovah."-Reasoning from the Scriptures

This is a shining example of what happens when a great author sells out.

It's painfully obvious that Greene was paid an absurd amount of money [by 50 Cent himself] to write this utterly embarrassing installment to the series. He'd get a nice fat paycheck to write it -- combined with the lucrative selling potential garnered from his fan-base, as well as 50 Cent's fan-base, how could he refuse? I mean, I can appreciate the motives behind selling-out, but that doesn't keep me from feeling intellectually nauseated.

"The 50th Law" is a tumor among the minds of those who truly appreciate his previous works; and what they stand for. You're left with nothing but buyer's remorse, and a bad taste in your heart.

Hopefully, with "Mastery", Greene will redeem himself...although after this glimmering atrocity, I'm a bit hesitant.

If you are a fan of Robert Greene books, then you should definitely purchase this book. This text is a lot more brief and simplified than the 48 Laws of Power or the Art of Seduction. The idea of fearing nothing is a critical approach towards increasing power in your life. This book can be considered the law that makes all the other laws powerful. If you are disabled by fear, you can not pursue power.

Think of the 50th Law as the most important law.

Maybe its me. I don't know, I read 100's of books per year. This I couldn't get into. I've never been a fan of 50 & suspect a motive behind Greene's association, but what do I know, (or care) I'm not really of that ilk. I gave it 2 stars because I suppose there are some who will get something from it. All I want to say is Richard Wright (1 of my all time hands down favorites), Baldwin, Dostoyevsky, Douglass, Malcolm? (okay maybe Malcolm). Does/did 50 even know who these men were prior to "writing" this book? One would surmise, if he did, his life would have turned out different? Ya think?

Honestly don't understand why there are so many positive reviews for this book. I thought it was really pretty silly. Very repetitive, using the same anecdotes from 50's life over and over again. The book boils down to one principle: fear nothing. That's it. It then proceeds to repeat that advice in different words about 500 times until you reach the end of the book. I thought it was pretty disappointing and I definitely wouldn't recommend that anyone purchase it. The only plus side was that there were a few interesting quotes and historical references. Otherwise, I thought it was a dud.

I am a great fan of Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power, having read it multiple times and seen it's truths in the real world. I was therefore very disappointed that he has attached his name to this empty and simplistic work, which reads like a propaganda piece for the greater glory of 50 Cent.
The premise of the book is that the "realism", fearlessness, and self-reliance that 50 Cent learned in the drug culture of his youth will bring success to you in your pursuits. This is a wrong and even dangerous idea--and in fact is not realism at all. In reality the "laws" of criminal culture are completely out of touch with society (that's why it's called anti-social behavior) and even within the drug culture you're very likely to end up in jail or dead, regardless of your fearlessness, etc.
Another problem I have is that many ideas in this book contradict many of the original 48 Laws of Power. The great thing about the 48 Laws is Robert Greene's sophisticated illumination of the subtle rules of social interaction, and how certain behaviors have a psychological effect on others. There is nothing of the kind in the 50th Law. Instead we are told to cultivate "self-reliance", an over-rated concept that violates many of the 48 Laws (Law 18, Don't Isolate Yourself; Law 24, Play The Perfect Courtier; Law 43, Work on the Hears and Minds of Others). A quick look at history will show that great rulers understand power as a web of relationships. Julius Caesar was able to rise to power because of the loyalty of his army and the love of the Roman people. Bill Clinton could charm his way to the presidency because common people believed he understood their lives. This is the way power works in the real world.
Finally, there is a complete avoidance of the real reason 50 Cent achieved success, and that is he has a talent for rap music. I'm not a fan of rap, but obviously for his work to get the attention of Eminem and then sell as much as he has shows that he offers something unique and creative that people like. The reader is left to ponder whether another person of lesser talents would have achieved his success, regardless of their adopting the advice in this book.
Of course this is not to say that realism, fearlessness, and self-reliance are not qualities worth cultivating; they certainly are. But context is everything--and selling simplistic maxims based on one man's criminal past and current success in the music business is nothing more than hype.
I will give this book credit for one thing, it proves Law number 32 of the 48 Laws of Power: Play to People's Fantasies.

I'll keep this review short, as I dont see it worth wasting too much time on. Robert Greene's prior book (48 Laws of Power) was a good read. This, is not. It's basically a somewhat obvious attempt to make 50 Cent look like something besides a thug who can make words rhyme. Perhaps it was just me, but if youre going to use someone as an example of cunning, subversive psychology, leadership, foresight etc, you're going to have to come with a somewhat more substantial character than 50 Cent. What series of terrible choices prompted him getting a co-author on the book, I can only imagine. An unfortunate and poor choice of sponsorship by Robert Greene, an otherwise good author.

Fast forward to 2015 and 50 Cent is going bankrupt, looking at 5 million dollar lawsuit and now claims he is broke and that his lavish lifestyle was fake. All the gold jewelry and cars were rented or burrowed. So you can rap songs like "P.I.M.P.," "Straight to the Bank," and "I Get Money, but apparently that doesn't mean you really get the money.

He singed such a bad contract with his recording label that he says he gets 10 cents per record.

50 Cent sure doesn't seem like the kinda guy I want to read about and follow his lead for success. Looks like the 51st Law is how to fake a lavish lifestyle and riches and then go broke.

I've enjoyed all of Robert Greene's works so far. This one sucks. It resembles a bible, with gold-edged pages and a flexible pleather cover. It's much shorter than his other books, which were about kings, generals, politicians, etc. who shaped history. This book is about a rapper. I understand the 48 Laws has become popular among the prison crowd. Mr. Greene must see a market for his writing in this low-life, criminal, street garbage. He doesn't burden them with too much history or culture in this one. What a huge disappointment.