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Mastery

Written by: Robert Greene
Narrated by: Fred Sanders
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Publisher's Summary

The eagerly anticipated new book from the author of the best-selling The 48 Laws of Power

What did Charles Darwin, middling schoolboy and underachieving second son, do to become one of the earliest and greatest naturalists the world has known? What were the similar choices made by Mozart and by Caesar Rodriguez, the U.S. Air Force's last ace fighter pilot? In Mastery, Robert Greene's fifth book, he mines the biographies of great historical figures for clues about gaining control over our own lives and destinies. Picking up where The 48 Laws of Power left off, Greene culls years of research and original interviews to blend historical anecdote and psychological insight, distilling the universal ingredients of the world's masters.

Temple Grandin, Martha Graham, Henry Ford, Buckminster Fuller - all have lessons to offer about how the love for doing one thing exceptionally well can lead to mastery. Yet the secret, Greene maintains, is already in our heads. Debunking long-held cultural myths, he demonstrates just how we, as humans, are hardwired for achievement and supremacy. Fans of Greene's earlier work and Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers will eagerly devour this canny and erudite explanation of just what it takes to be great.

©2012 Robert Greene (P)2012 Penguin Audio
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What the critics say

"Greene argues that mastery can come to anyone over time with dedication and application, which literally shape the brain to the task, and he gives frequent bios of famous achievers to underscore his tips and suggestions. Listeners may question his thinking and some of his advice, but Fred Sanders narrates Greene's assertions and arguments with conviction and without overselling, giving them an extra gloss of plausibility and credibility. His reading is clear and well paced. His tone is earnest and slightly intense, with an energetic edge, like that of a coach urging the listener to accomplishment, but controlled, giving an impression of class and intelligence. Greene would make a fine salesman; he and Sanders put the book across, doing their best to inspire the listener." (AudioFile magazine)

"Greene’s specialty is analyzing the lives and philosophies of historical figures like Sun Tzu and Napoleon, and extracting from them tips on how to manipulate people and situations - a cutthroat worldview that has earned him a devoted following among a like-minded readership of rappers, drug dealers and corporate executives." (The New York Times)

"Compelling." (Forbes)

What listeners say about Mastery

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

in love

I love this book. will definitely be applying this to my life and passions
yay

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic Book

Very informative and a must read if you've read any of Robert Greene' s material!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Too much repetition in the story

This book is pretty solid but he reuses the same anecdotes too often which sometimes made me tune out.

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8 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Nice but repititve

The author touched an interesting subject and clarify it with examples. on of the shortcoming of the book is the limited number of examples used but repeated several times throughout the book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Mastery - the only way to get anywhere

This is perhaps one of the few complete instances of why common misconceptions of talent and achievement exist and gives the framework on how to do away with them. The story’s of the contemporary masters, not only, inspire the listener to search deep within themselves but also give the first few step in the path to mastering one of the hardest and common skills. That of self mastery. Amazing. The content makes up for any choppiness or pitch change in the performance.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A bit long winded but drives the point home

Great book to lay out the foundations of mastery. The biographical information on the different masters was a bit repetitive however probably necessary if you don't listen to the book in a while and start it up again

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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truely masterful !!

great to listen and life changing. I will listen to it again and again I believe. the book also encourages you to read on more subjects.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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amazing, absolutely loved this book!

Would recommend this book to anyone in any walk of life. Absolutely incredible content and well written as well

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

So simple yet so complex

This book covers a very basic concept that achieving something requires lot of effort, how today’s society teaches us to seek shortcuts. An excellent read.

I do find it a bit way too long. I believe it could have been much abridged.

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Mastery

Robert Greene debunks genius as a natural ability to coming from years of intensive study and experience in ones field. From breaking down the science of the brain to many life stories of Masters that have lived you can't help but to agree with him.

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