Post: #1

We have a winner everybody!

The audiobook: http://torrentz.eu/58f18a0d766b72d323b5c...2febe24fe0

Different ebook links: http://torrentz.eu/cc04d27a76cf4d96dd00d...3fb1e1b52f
http://torrentz.eu/89bdee9e1334d7b29601f...58bc20f7b5
http://torrentz.eu/89bdee9e1334d7b29601f...58bc20f7b5
http://torrentz.eu/a487e5035aafff063cfc6...4c4f91656a

Make sure you run a virus scanner JUST in case, but I've never had a problem with Torrentz in many years of using it. You can also buy it on Amazon as a physical book, ebook or for Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/48-Laws-Power-Robe...0140280197

I say we run the book until a minimum of the end of the month. We may need to run it till mid April, we'll see how we go. Get reading.

Post: #2

I'm in. Thanks for the free downloads.

Aloha!

Post: #3

I'm glad it's "48 Laws". I've been postponing this read for a long time!

Again, thanks for the links!

Post: #4

I am reading this book right now. (Along with 10 other books).

Honestly, it is a book that you want to read slowly so it sinks in.

I wouldn't read more than one or two Laws per day.

Post: #5

I read it a while ago.
I guess I got a new book to start reading

Post: #6

(03-14-2012 10:45 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  I am reading this book right now. (Along with 10 other books).

Honestly, it is a book that you want to read slowly so it sinks in.

I wouldn't read more than one or two Laws per day.

bingo. i also keep a little moleskin notebook to keep notes in it.

can someone inform me how this book club thing works? how do we discuss the laws?

Post: #7

I haven't read all of it but this is what i got from it so far.

1) Magic pill sells a lot
2) People prefer fairy tales and stories instead of reality
3) Learn to judge people because it will help you in all aspects of your life. Understanding human nature will bring to you many advantages over those who are religious or don't bother to discover themselves and are just "being themselves"

Post: #8

I got mine a week ago on roosh's recommendation.
Better start reading.

Post: #9

I just finished the intro/first law and here are some quotes I though summarized it the best. I'll give other thoughts when I get back from class.

Robert Greene The 48 Laws of Powe Wrote:An emotional response to a situation is the single greatest barrier to
power, a mistake that will cost you a lot more than any temporary
satisfaction you might gain by expressing your feelings. Emotions cloud
reason, and if you cannot see the situation clearly, you cannot prepare
for and respond to it with any degree of control. (19)

Nothing should catch you by surprise because you are constantly
imagining problems before they arise. Instead of spending your time
dreaming of your plan's happy ending, you must work on calculating
every possible permutation and pitfall that might emerge in it. The
further you see, the more steps ahead you plan, the more powerful you
become.

Examine the mistakes of your past and learn from them. "I shall never
repeat such a mistake; I shall never fall into such a trap again."

Deception = weapon. Patience = shield.

Train your eye to follow the results of their moves, the outward
circumstances, and do not be distracted by anything else.

"The value of a thing sometimes lies not in what one attains with it,
but in what one pays for it - what it costs us" - be disciplined in
what you do/do not get involved in. Never waste valuable time, or
mental peace of mind, on the affairs of others - that is too high a
price to pay.

Never discriminate as to whom you study and whom you trust. Never trust
anyone completely and study everyone, including friends and loved ones.

LAW 1: Never outshine the master.
- you can inadvertently outshine a master by simply being yourself due
to a master's insecurity.

- never take your position for granted and never let any favours you
recieve go to your head.

- Discreet flattery is much more powerful. If you are more intelligent
than your master, for example, seem the opposite: Make him appear more
intelligent than you. Act naive. Make it seem that you need his
expertise. Commit harmeless mistakes that will not hurt you in the long
run but will give you the chance to ask for his help. Masters adore
such requests. A master who cannot bestow on you the gifts of his
experience may direct rancor and ill will at you instead.

-Ideas/creativity: ascribe to master in public manner. Your advice =
echo of his advice.

- Wit: be jester, do not make master cold/surly in comparison. master =
sun around which everything revolves.

- if weak outsine. if VERY weak let him fall.

Post: #10

I'm in!

Post: #11

The forum has no official piracy links policy, but for now I will say that if you like this book (and I'm sure most of you will) to support the author by buying a copy.

Post: #12

Nice work guys, I'll get my thoughts on the first law up later.

the chef, try and get through a law each day and post up your thoughts, quotes, what you will take away from what you read. Pretty simple and we shall let things flow from there.

Post: #13

Thanks for the free links. Gonna start it as soon as i can.

Post: #14

(03-14-2012 06:46 PM)Roosh Wrote:  The forum has no official piracy links policy, but for now I will say that if you like this book (and I'm sure most of you will) to support the author by buying a copy.

I bought it on Kindle for Android.

Its a great phone but a pain to read on a small screen. Do yourself a favor and buy the real version.

Post: #15

Good choice for discussion. As G Manifesto said don't read more than 1 or 2 a day. After reading each law reflect back on a situation where you could have implemented the law for a better outcome (i.e... business, women, etc...) Then think about how you can apply it in the future. I've read the book cover to cover and keep it next to my bed along with The Art of War and The Selected Dialogues of Plato so I can brush up when I can. (Read a random law before bed) 5 star book gents, highly recommend.

Post: #16

Not sure if someone mentioned it already but for readers using iPhone/iPad/iPod, get the Kindle app. Its really great, unlike iBooks, what a shitty app honestly. Goodbye iBooks.

Post: #17

I got to Win through your Actions, Never through Argument.

This one is kind of hard on the brain, and I feel like I've heard a lot of this before.

I need to take a break from the 48 Laws of Power for a few days.

Aloha!

Post: #18

So far, this is all completely new to me. I love all of the historical examples too.

Law 1: Never Outshine the Master.
It seems to me like the "masters" are set off to fuck over their subordinates when they realize their subordinates could replace them? So they knock off the competition before they're in a position to knock them off there horse. So I guess the lesson to be learned here in related to Law 3, in that you shouldn't let your "master" know that you have the skills/know-how/ability to outshine and replace them, until you are in a position to do so. Save it for when you are in the position that Basilius was when he gave Emperor Michael the shit eating grin (from the Transgression example of Law 2).

Post: #19

Law 1 - Never Outshine the Master

Green goes to pains to explain that the rules are not concrete and I think this one is particuarlly flexible. There are times to break it, times to bend it, but also times to adhere to it.

The principal is that you should never show up your boss. Don't make him look bad, don't kick his arse on the golf course, dont hog the limelight. Instead you should be a little humble and make him look good, feel important, etc. In playing to their vanities or making them look good to their boss higher up. in turn they will reward you.

Greene uses an example of French minister Fouquet in the court of Louis 14th to show what not to do. Fouquet eager to rise to Prime Minister builds a grand palace and throws an incredibly lavish party, the opulence of both Parisians have never seen before. Instead of impressing Louis 14th the king instead feels threatened and has D'Artagan arrest Fouquet for stealing from the treasury to fund his lifestyle (which of course Fouquet was doing, kicking some to the King). Louis 14th then installs a guy who lives a far from opulent lifestyle, no risk of outshine himself.

Galileo is the presented as the model for what to do. Greene explains that the great man had relied for years on a host of different benefactors for his discoveries, giving each of them small pieces of the action and in return getting small rewards. When Galileo discovers the moons of Jupiter he decides to take a different tact, tying the discovery to the Medici empire - 4 moons for the four sons of the head of the Medici family, emboldened as jupiter. The Medici's where incredibly grateful, they were seemingly ordained by the heavens thanks to Galileo's salesmanship and he was very handsomely rewarded for it.

You should however tailor your approach to your leader, be sensitive to the finer details. If he is weak then you should pounce - run rings around him and make sure his boss is aware of the situation. If he is powerful but for instance not the life of a party, then perhaps you should tone down your charisma.

--

I put this law in to action last weekend, I was called in to work as shit had hit the fan. My immediate boss had stuffed up rostering and my most senior boss had called me in to pick up the pieces in her absence. I could have taken the opportunity to kick my immediate boss while she was down, feeding a few nuggets to senior, but senior is a switched on guy - me kissing ass and bitching behind bosses back would be a bad look, he could see she had screwed up.

I put the pieces back together on the ground, senior used to his ivory tower was out of his depth trying to help on the floor and I ran rings around him, assuming leadership ordering him and everyone else around without being rude. The floor is not his job - so outshining him there is not a risk if done tactfully. Instead it showed him that I was good at my job and a major asset to the company with greater leadership potential.

Sure enough just a few days later senior rings me at home, kissing my ass, and we are now in negotiations for a step-up with me in a strong negotiating position.

He who knows the rules know hows to break them.

Post: #20

Ok big weekend planned so will throw up some more before heading off to good times for next 48 hours.

Law 2 - Never Put Too Much Trust in Friends, Learn How to Use Enemies

"Lord protect me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies." - Voltaire

A former enemy can be an asset because he has more to prove than friends who can be quick to betray. Friends can be envious and jealous, spoilt and tyranical. They may not be grateful for the generosity we share. Hire the best person for the job, not a friend. An enemy expects nothing and is grateful for any kindness that comes his way. Friends agree on things to avoid an argument, often those arguments are necessary to find the right solution - an enemy will not hesitate to argue and question your logic, pushing better decision making. While you often know exactly your enemies beliefs, knowing a friends can be impossible. Flattery achieves nothing, criticism leads to perfection.

The example of a young Byzantine ruler Michael III who built up a stable hand who caught his attention one day, giving him wealth, education, position, power, his own mistress for a wife. But it wasn't enough for his friend Basilius, who having climed to leader of the military, stood over his friend as soldiers he commanded stabbed the ruler to death. Basilius was not grateful to Michael III whos friendship had highhandedly brought him from rags to riches. Nobody wants to believe a friend will betray them.

After the fall of the Han Dynasty China's leadership was incredibly unstable - a succession of rulers were toppled by the military who planted tough generals at the helm who would then eventually declare themselves ruler of a new dynasty, killing his fellow generals to ensure no threat to his rule. Eventually though fresh military leaders would come through and topple the old ruler, restarting the cycle.
One general on becoming Emperor invited his fellows to a banquet. All the other generals assumed he was planning to kill them then and there, instead he rewarded them all with large estates far from power and enough money to live out there lives in luxury without being a threat. Over time Sung went on to instead make allies of several adversary. One who had been plotting against Emperor Sung was invited to a banquet, expecting a deadly fate he was instead treated warmly and sent on his way with a gift. On returning home he discovered the gift was an intelligence report informing Sung of his enemies plotting - showing Sung was not vengeful. They became trusted allies, allowing the Sung Dynasty to florish for over 300 years after so much turmoil.

A clear enemy can also be a motivator - bring out the best. After WWII would America and the Soviet Union have forged on with military buildup, technological development, the space race and more if they weren't such bitter enemies? Does Israel flourish because of the threats all around it, it has no time for complacency surrounded by enemies. It's guard is up, constantly hustling, pushing development, pushing business... would that still be the case if it was surrounded by good friends?

Post: #21

Law 3 - Conceal Your Intentions

If people are unsure what you are doing or why they cannot plan a defense against it. Instead use misdirection, make your plans appear different and keep them guessing.

Misdirection, fake sincerity, send mixed messages.
Greene uses the lesson of a famous French courtesan, Ninon de Lenclos, in her 60's advising a young and clueless marquis on how to woo a countess he fancies. She has him confide in the countess like a friend rather than a would be lover. Then at a party she has the marquis surrounded by stunning woman, jealousy plot line ensues. Then he is unpredictable, not showing up at regular engagements where the countess would look for him but instead he shows up where the countess frequents but the marquis never has. She begins asking around about him, she has his scent. Finally the pair are together at her place and abandoning de Lenclos's game plan the marquis gets all beta and suddenly drops the L bomb expecting victory - fail. "You cannot announce your intentions or reveal them directly in words."

Be indifferent, give a taste then take it away. Be exciting and unpredictable. Jealousy and confusion trump boredom and security.

Otto von Bismarck, then a member of Prussian parliament at 35 and at the tipping point in his career if you will. Around him and Prussia shit is going down. Bismarck wants to unite the divided states of Germany and kick the shit out of Austria. The Prussian king at the time, Frederick IV was a pussy, appeasing powerful Austria while his heir to be, Prince William, like Bismarck wanted to shake things up. As talk of war hit fever pitch, Bismarck (a former soldier), gives an unexpected speech to parliament against war, praising and defending Austria. The speech turns the tide and war is averted, the grateful king makes Bismarck a minister - eventually becoming premier. With power Bismarck bolsters the army (which Bismarck new was weak at the time), kicks Austria to the curb and unites Germany with Prussia in control.

Don't be an open book, keep thoughts to yourself or better yet feed false ones. Poker face.

Another example is given of con man Yellow Kid Weil fleecing a wealthy guy. The Kid hooks the mark with a real estate deal, promising easy money on a shady deal. Distracted by the real estate deal as a decoy the Kid fleeces the guy instead with a fixed boxing match. The mark had his guard up about the deal, the boxing was a bit of fun on the side that came up - the ice berg that sunk his ship. If the Kid had opened the con puerlly with the boxing match the mark would have seen straight through it, the deal provided a smoke screen.

In Ethiopia Hailie Selassie (aka Ras Tafari) was trying to unite tribes with himself at the head. He summoned tribal warlords and eventually all but one came and gave support. Dejazmach Balcha refused, thinking Selassie weak. After some pressure Balcha eventually was summoned to the capital, bringing an army of 10,000 with him. Blacha then accepted an invite to the palace for a banquet, expecting be killed there he insisted 600 of his troops come as bodyguards and Selassie allowed it - treating them all far too well and praising Balcha. With inflated ego and plans to invade Balcha and his bodyguards marched back to camp that had been disarmed. Checkmate. Selassie was an anomaly in Africa, one of the best and longest reining leaders yet he broke the mold of hard warriors - instead a smiling assassin.

Be bland, hide in plain sight and lull your opponent in to a false sense of security. To catch a wolf dress as a sheep.

Post: #22

Yo dude hold up a bit, people still haven't chimed in on the first or the second. Give them time.

Post: #23

What does the author mean when he says psychologically mimic ?

Post: #24

Im at Law #3 right now. Damn the 1st law was just incredibly well selected as a starting point. Its something people hate to do and admit, specially proud people, but after I finished reading it, it made alot of sense.

The historical references are great addition as well, love it.

Post: #25

Has anybody had personal experiences related to Law #2? I've never taken note of that phenomena before.