The Art of Seduction
by Robert Greene, Joost Elffers, Robert Greene / Joost Elffers · first published 2001
57% recommend29% neutral14% critical
Why HN recommends it
Historical case-by-case vignettes show human motives in their most direct form. It is fun and mind-expanding, and it offers a useful study of influence for readers who can filter out the manipulative framing.
Common criticism: Some find the author puts a personal spin on historical events, weakening its credibility.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
This mesmerizing exploration of the most subtle, elusive, and effective form of power is a masterful analysis of civilization's greatest seducers, from Cleopatra to JFK, as well as the classic literature of seduction from Freud to Kierkegaard and Ovid to Casanova. Robert Greene once again identifies the rules of a timeless, amoral game and explores how to cast a spell, break down resistance, and, ultimately, compel a target to surrender. Presenting the timeless profiles of each type of seducer and the twenty-four maneuvers that will guide you step by step in the game of seduction, The Art of S
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…blogs: http://dalrock.wordpress.com/ http://therationalmale.com/ http://heartiste.wordpress.com/ http://www.rooshv.com/ And why not some books: http://www.amazon.com/Models-Attract-Through-Honesty-ebook/d... http://www.amazon.com/The-Rational-Male-ebook/dp/B00FK901R8/ http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-of-Seduction-ebook/dp/B0032BW5... And why not a Reddit too: http://www.reddit.com/r/TheRedPill The problem is that you must have the confidence to write your own rules in life. If you speak with confidence, move…
on “Why women lose the dating game” ↗…That won’t stop it from being popular with so-called rationalists and blackpill incels. Taking the opposite perspective (fiction is a valid means of knowing) I would refer the OP to Robert Greene’s Art of Seduction which was a jumping off point for me studying the subject, the references in that book are really worth reading even if using it as a self-help book can be outright dangerous. Also there is Stendahl’s…
on “Ask HN: How do I hack love?” ↗…Robert Greene's books are superb. Whether you buy into his philosophy and interpretations or not, there are many excellent, mind-expanding historical vignettes to learn. My favorite book by him is The Art of Seduction, because it chronicles human motive in its most direct, unfiltered form. All influence is really thinly-veiled seduction. To the grandparent, because I'm throttled on HN and probably won't be allowed…
on “Why I Quit Google to Work for Myself” ↗Robert Greene’s books, in particular 48 Laws of Power and Art of Seduction.
on “Ask HN: Which books you have read till now that were worth investing time in?” ↗…describes a scenario for falling in love with somebody by transforming feelings of envy into feelings of admiration: https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lust-Psychoanalysis-Romantic-Emo... Robert Greene in his Art of Seduction suggests you can get somebody else to fall in love with you via this scenario but I've applied it to myself and found it elicited strong emotions in me that I was able to transmit to other people. It…
on “Ask HN: How do you cope with envy?” ↗Robert Greene's books: The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, and The Laws of Human Nature. Stealing the Corner office by Brendan Reid Assorted works of Niccolo Machiavelli and Balatazar Gracian. It will be hard to impossible…
on “Public protest against Amazon” ↗The Foundation Series is my favourite sci-fi series, followed by Rendezvous at Rama. Currently reading the 33 Strategies of War by Robert Greene (Author of the Art of Seduction). I quite enjoy the way he writes, it's filled with historical examples and the sidebars on each page are filled with quotes from all the ages. Similar style to "Think and Grow Rich" Summary here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_33_Strategies_of_War
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗…always found it strange that the author herself seems so uncharismatic, especially given her claim that charisma can be learned. The same goes for Robert Greene, author of "The 48 Laws of Power," "The Art of Seduction," and several other books. I've watched a few interviews with him, and he strikes me as completely unremarkable, uncharismatic, and rather unconvincing, which makes me doubt the validity of his books'…
on “Underrated Soft Skills: Charisma” ↗