The Laws of Human Nature

I found this book to be very interesting and informative. I especially enjoyed the reference to historical figures and their personality traits. Human nature is endlessly fascinating, and this book is full of valuable insights that can help you to navigate the landscape of personalities out there!

Naturally, it was in Robert Greene’s nature to write this book. Accustomed as he has been to writing about human activity involving power relationships, Greene has produced yet another extraordinary book jam-packed with fascinating insights about how the mind of homo sapiens often works in dealing with other members of the species.As Greene describes in the introduction, this book is a codebook for deciphering people’s behavior, with each chapter telling the story of some iconic individual(s) who illustrates the law being covered, along with advice on how to operate successfully (if that’s possible) under this law.So what laws (all negative aspects or shortcomings, 18 to be exact, of human behavior) does Green focus on in this book? Irrationality, narcissism, role-playing, compulsive behavior, covetousness, shortsightedness, defensiveness, self-sabotage, repression, envy, grandiosity, gender rigidity, aimlessness, conformity, fickleness, aggression, generational myopia, and death denial.As usual with Greene’s not-inexpensive books, he gives one a lot of ideas and pages to chew on for the money, leaving one well satisfied with the investment. If I do have any criticisms, the main one relates to the stories he uses to highlight the laws. Quite often the characterizations are so extensively detailed and intriguing that one can easily forget the law being discussed. Also, there’s his possible hairsplitting of each of his 18 laws into numerous subcategories, reminding one of the mythical Eskimo vocabulary for the word “snow,” which can get one to question how useful the subcategories are depending upon one’s situation. In addition, some chapters kept me wondering, for example, the one on gender rigidity. Do those things really happen? This brings up a related general criticism: a selected bibliography, yes, but no supporting footnotes to back up a few especially dubious, IMHO, assertions.All in all, however, I believe you’ll find the book well-written, enjoyable, and educational as regards important strategies the less-than-honorable portion of the population uses and the strategies the more honorable can use to successfully counter.Of possible consideration for those interested in a book distilling five main life strategies from 87 of history’s master strategists: Strategic Advantage: How to Win in War, Business, and Life

At the time of this review, I'm only halfway through reading this book, but I love it SO much. I am going after it hardcore with a highlighter and sticky tabs. I have read over 300 pages (this is a BIG book btw) and have not read a single page that was not worthwhile.This book is easy to comprehend and apply. I recommend taking your time in digesting it, as the lessons are quite practical in daily life. It is truly helping me understand myself and others and why we all behave the way we do.Each "Law" is a different chapter and the author explains the law, how to recognize it in yourself and others, and how to address such. He also includes a story about a real person from history and an interesting anecdote that applies to the lesson. I have never been much of a history buff but these stories are fascinating and therefore I'm learning not only about psychology but history as well.I cannot wait to keep devouring this book. I would STRONGLY encourage any human being who wants to intentionally become more self-aware and tolerant to read this book. I will definitely be checking out more books from this author.

*The Laws of Human Nature* is an exceptional book that offers profound insights into human behavior. Robert Greene masterfully delves into the complexities of our emotions, actions, and interactions, providing a deep understanding of what drives people. The book is packed with historical examples, psychological theories, and practical wisdom, making it both informative and engaging. It offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to improve their relationships, influence others, or simply understand the intricacies of human nature. Overall, it’s a great read, filled with timeless knowledge that can be applied to various aspects of life. Highly recommend!

Love this book! Excited to read all of his books. He’s a wonderful writer. I’d have to say my favorite so far. I could spend hours reading his work. I hope he writes one on governments and mind control. That would be fascinating to read.

Robert Greene’s The Laws of Human Nature is a sharp, engaging exploration of human behavior, unpacking 18 “laws” like narcissism and envy through psychology and historical examples. It’s insightful and practical, though dense at 600+ pages. My copy’s dust cover arrived damaged, which was frustrating, but the content is stellar for understanding people.

This book is a gripping dive into the complexities of human behavior, blending psychology, history, and practical wisdom with Greene's signature clarity. Each chapter unpacks a different aspect of our nature-like narcissism or envy-with real-world examples that make the insights hit home. It's dense but rewarding, pushing you to reflect on your own actions and those of others. If you want a thought-provoking read that sharpens your understanding of people, this one's a must.

Great read!!