The Laws of Human Nature

August 15, 2018
A follow-on to the author's garbled but popular 48 Laws of Power, promising that readers will learn how to win friends and influence people, to say nothing of outfoxing all those "toxic types" out in the world.Greene (Mastery, 2012, etc.) begins with a big sell, averring that his book "is designed to immerse you in all aspects of human behavior and illuminate its root causes." To gauge by this fat compendium, human behavior is mostly rotten, a presumption that fits with the author's neo-Machiavellian program of self-validation and eventual strategic supremacy. The author works to formula: First, state a "law," such as "confront your dark side" or "know your limits," the latter of which seems pale compared to the Delphic oracle's "nothing in excess." Next, elaborate on that law with what might seem to be as plain as day: "Losing contact with reality, we make irrational decisions. That is why our success often does not last." One imagines there might be other reasons for the evanescence of glory, but there you go. Finally, spin out a long tutelary yarn, seemingly the longer the better, to shore up the truism--in this case, the cometary rise and fall of one-time Disney CEO Michael Eisner, with the warning, "his fate could easily be yours, albeit most likely on a smaller scale," which ranks right up there with the fortuneteller's "I sense that someone you know has died" in orders of probability. It's enough to inspire a new law: Beware of those who spend too much time telling you what you already know, even when it's dressed up in fresh-sounding terms. "Continually mix the visceral with the analytic" is the language of a consultant's report, more important-sounding than "go with your gut but use your head, too."The Stoics did much better with the much shorter Enchiridion.

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September 17, 2018
In this detailed and expansive guide, Greene (Mastery) seeks to immerse his audience in “all aspects of human behavior,” as represented by 18 laws created by Greene. He claims that studying these laws will transform the reader into a “calmer and more strategic observer,” immune to “emotional drama.” Those are lofty promises, but even skeptics will become believers after diving into Greene’s well-organized text. In each chapter, he describes the benefits of confronting and overcoming a different form of human fallibility. Overcoming the “law of irrationality,” for instance, leads to the ability to “open your mind to what is really happening, as opposed to what you are feeling.” For historical perspective, he highlights relevant famous figures: Howard Hughes represents the pitfalls of compulsive behavior, and Anton Chekhov embodies the benefits of overcoming self-sabotage. Greene also quotes a number of literary greats along the way, including Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Gore Vidal, whose aphorism “Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little” is applied, not surprisingly, to the chapter on envy. Throughout, Greene’s overriding message is to “step back” from the “immediate rush of events” in order to gain greater insight into one’s experiences and circumstances. Greene’s thoughtful examination of self and society will, for the committed reader, deliver a refreshing and revitalizing perspective. Agent: Michael Carlisle, InkWell Management.

October 1, 2018

Greene (Mastery; The 48 Laws of Power) draws from the wisdom of ancient philosophers, respected psychologists, and eminent writers to provide insight into all aspects of human behavior and their root causes. These qualities are organized into "laws," including the law of compulsive behavior, the law of self-sabotage, and the law of grandiosity. Greene defines, interprets, and suggests ways to deal with each trait, concluding that through possessing the knowledge of these concepts we can stand apart from draining emotional drama, be better judges of character, outthink toxic types, rid ourselves of negative patterns, and enjoy more satisfyingbonds. VERDICT While hefty in size, this readable and relevant tome should have wide appeal.

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