Mastery

By: Robert Greene

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

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

Critic reviews

"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)

Please write another book Mr. Greene.

I love this author. Great book. Robert Greene is truly a Master Author and researcher.

Amazing

I changed my life because of this book. I was trough some depressing times but thanks to Mastery I became more productive.

A Must Read For Everyone!

What made the experience of listening to Mastery the most enjoyable?

One of the best books I've read on mastering your own skills! I loved the stories of all the great master and how they worked to better their craft. This book was engaging and insightful.

Life Changing

I really enjoyed every minute. Truly life changing if you commit yourself to improvement. Great listen, also ordering the paper version as well.

Read it to find out it’s possible for anyone to become a master.

I loved the detailed dissection of amazingly successful people and how they reached superhuman levels, who have come before us and some that are alive today.

Robert Greene took us through timeless journeys of renowned masters in history and shown that anyone with enough time and intense effort for the field they adore can become masters of their craft.

I also loved how he brought the power of creativity of humans as important, if not more than human logic and reasoning.

It really made me emotional in certain points which I know is strange since it isn’t a sad story or anything. I became emotional of how clear details are presented and supported by historical evidence. Thank you, Mr. Greene.

Deep, Insightful, Powerful

A great push in the right direction for one who may be contemplating even only aspects of his or her life direction. This is a greatly motivating listen or read I would (and already have) definitely recommend.

Truly insightful and a must listen to

I really enjoyed this book. It was really well written and is full of useful and applicable content. I will definitely re-listen to this book a few more times.

great book

I feel like the information is findable in different books across the topic area. I'm not exactly sure I learned anything massively new here. none the less a great body of work. excited to read the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin after this.

Awesome Book

Amazing Book, Great narration, in-depth insights into the achievements of many renowned personalities/ masters

Amazing

An amazing book read by the best book reader I have ever heard. One of the best reads ever.