I only just started reading this, and I must say, it is actually quite amazing, I'm only reading through the first law but the depth of the laws is incredible, and the fact that they are described with historical examples and credible sourcing makes it that much better.

Any other readers here? I might start to swear by this book.

Ha ha, half of those I already do lol. Have to see if I can pick up a copy somewhere...

I don't understand it at all. Unless your goal is to be Stalin or Mussolini one day, what is the point? And frankly, why the hell would that BE your goal in the first place?

OK. I haven't read it, just a bit about it.

Apply them to achieve what exactly? Power? Some of the laws sound like something fit for a mob boss or, like I said, a delusional totalitarian dictator.

Am I wrong? Just curious.

Some of those sound like they were pulled directly from the 36 strategems, which is fun to try and pretend you can apply to Go.

Looking at 'Cultural Impact' on wikipedia, did Robert Greene actually write his own wiki entry?

It's not really about attaining power, but more, knowing how to use it correctly and what "Power" is. You could apply it to situations such as friendships, for example, I learnt only to recently the downfall of been far too generous to a friends - something that is covered in the second law.

Evil manipulative stuff IMO. Unless you're using it for playing a wargame or something, but that's different.

(not calling OP evil btw ;), I used to be curious about this stuff a while back but now I just think it's very misguided and destructive)

Love is the only thing to live by when it comes to relationships (every kind). Everything else is worthless.

Well according to the first law, that's what the finance minister for Louis XIV thought, before he was jailed for the rest of his life after holding a party grander then the kings parties in order to impress the king.

That's not love, that's flattery/showing off

Trying to impress someone is manipulative and a bad idea too.

Screw that "all you need is love" garbage. Manipulation is the best

I've heard of it but haven't had a chance to read yet.

Ummmmm... no offense, but do I really need to cite an historical example of someone getting smacked down for being manipulative/power-hungry/etc.?

Anyway, enjoy the book and be sure to tell us some more when you're done!

It wasn't the fact that he was being power hungry though, the fact was, his party was grander then the kings, and the king didn't like that at all.

Unfortunately, true. "all you need is love" is nothing but a pile of garbage, no offense to the people who believe this. Manipulation is not best though unless you are only interested in sex. People dislike people who manipulate and once you manipulate someone, he or she will see what you are and cut you off or worse.
stoicsentry has a good point. Sure, stupid and weak people will bend over to your subtle manipulative and power hungry ways of dealing with them for some time but everyone else will recognize that you read too many books like The 48 Laws Of Power and either avoid you like the plague or find a way to make you harmless because they will see you as a threat. People aren't exactly pawns. They do have brains.