Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this multi-million-copy New York Times bestseller is the definitive guide for anyone seeking to gain, observe, or defend against ultimate power—from the author of The Laws of Human Nature. 

Praised by People magazine as “beguiling” and “fascinating,” Robert Greene and Joost Elffers distill 3,000 years of the history of power into 48 essential laws, drawing from the philosophies of Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Carl von Clausewitz, as well as the lives of figures ranging from Henry Kissinger to P.T. Barnum.

Some laws emphasize prudence (Law 1: Never Outshine the Master), others highlight confidence (Law 28: Enter Action with Boldness), and many advocate absolute self-preservation (Law 15: Crush Your Enemy Totally). Every law shares a common thread: the pursuit of total domination. Boldly packaged in a striking two-color design, The 48 Laws of Power is essential reading for those seeking conquest, self-defense, or a deeper understanding of the rules of power.