Robert Greene (American author)
Encyclopedia
Robert Greene is an American
author
known for his books on strategy
, power
and seduction
.
. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in classical studies, he worked as a writer for Esquire
and for other magazines, and in Hollywood as a story developer before writing The 48 Laws of Power
, a book on the dynamics of social and political power, in 1998. The book was immediately successful, selling more than 1 million copies in the US, as were his follow-up works, The Art of Seduction
and The 33 Strategies of War
. Since 2003, he has worked as a consultant to several business executives. Since 2007 he has sat on the board of directors
of American Apparel
.
, Kanye West
, Drake
, Young Buck
and others. Multi-platinum rapper Busta Rhymes
is said to have received a specially engraved cover of The 48 Laws of Power to help deal with problematic movie producers. In 2009, Greene released his fourth book, The 50th Law
, an elaboration of his ideas on power in context of the life of the rapper 50 Cent
.
The 48 Laws of Power is one of the most requested books in American prison libraries. Greene is a publicly acknowledged adviser to film producer Brian Grazer
, American Apparel
CEO Dov Charney
, 50 Cent
and others.
Scottish DJ, Calvin Harris
, has a variation of Law #28 "Enter With Boldness" tattooed on his right arm.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
known for his books on strategy
Strategy
Strategy, a word of military origin, refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked...
, power
Power (sociology)
Power is a measurement of an entity's ability to control its environment, including the behavior of other entities. The term authority is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure. Power can be seen as evil or unjust, but the exercise of power is accepted as endemic to...
and seduction
Seduction
In social science, seduction is the process of deliberately enticing a person to engage. The word seduction stems from Latin and means literally "to lead astray". As a result, the term may have a positive or negative connotation...
.
Biography
Greene was born in 1959 to a Jewish family in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in classical studies, he worked as a writer for Esquire
Esquire
Esquire is a term of West European origin . Depending on the country, the term has different meanings...
and for other magazines, and in Hollywood as a story developer before writing The 48 Laws of Power
The 48 Laws of Power
The 48 Laws of Power is a 1998 book by Robert Greene. Robert Greene takes elements of some of the worlds most influential political thinkers to come up with the 48 Laws of Power, from Niccolò Machiavelli to Sun Tsu, he captures their most important points of power. - The Laws :# Never outshine the...
, a book on the dynamics of social and political power, in 1998. The book was immediately successful, selling more than 1 million copies in the US, as were his follow-up works, The Art of Seduction
The Art of Seduction
The Art Of Seduction is a book by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers which, while examining social power much like their book The 48 Laws of Power, does so through the lens of seduction....
and The 33 Strategies of War
The 33 Strategies of War
The 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene is a "guide to the subtle social game of everyday life informed by the ... military principles in war.". It is composed of discussions and examples on offensive and defensive strategies from a wide variety of people and conditions such as Napoleon...
. Since 2003, he has worked as a consultant to several business executives. Since 2007 he has sat on the board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
of American Apparel
American Apparel
American Apparel is a clothing manufacturer in the United States. It is a vertically integrated clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer that also performs its own design, advertising, and marketing...
.
Influence
Greene's work has been particularly influential in the hip-hop community and the 48 Laws of Power has been mentioned in songs by Jay-ZJay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
, Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
, Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
, Young Buck
Young Buck
David Darnell Brown , also known as Young Buck, is an American Southern rapper. Buck is a former member of the New York City Hip-Hop group G-Unit, also a former artist of G-Unit Records as of Nov 26, 2011...
and others. Multi-platinum rapper Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
is said to have received a specially engraved cover of The 48 Laws of Power to help deal with problematic movie producers. In 2009, Greene released his fourth book, The 50th Law
The 50th Law
The 50th Law is a book on strategy written collaboratively by 50 Cent and Robert Greene. Its central theme is fearlessness.-Origins:The book The 50th Law grew out of the friendship and mutual admiration between 50 Cent and Robert Greene...
, an elaboration of his ideas on power in context of the life of the rapper 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
.
The 48 Laws of Power is one of the most requested books in American prison libraries. Greene is a publicly acknowledged adviser to film producer Brian Grazer
Brian Grazer
Brian Thomas Grazer is an Academy Award-winning American film and television producer who co-founded Imagine Entertainment in 1986 with Ron Howard. Together they have produced many acclaimed films, including Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind .- Career :Brian Grazer began his career as a producer...
, American Apparel
American Apparel
American Apparel is a clothing manufacturer in the United States. It is a vertically integrated clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer that also performs its own design, advertising, and marketing...
CEO Dov Charney
Dov Charney
Dov Charney is the founder and CEO of American Apparel, a clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer. Charney is known for his success as an entrepreneur, passion for simple clothing and love for Strictly Rhythm. His "contrarian" leadership style, which he feels promotes creativity, has drawn...
, 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
and others.
Scottish DJ, Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris is a Scottish singer-songwriter, record producer and DJ. His gold-selling debut album, I Created Disco, was released in 2007 and contained the top ten singles "Acceptable in the 80s" and "The Girls"...
, has a variation of Law #28 "Enter With Boldness" tattooed on his right arm.