Incomplete Picture - Take with a grain of salt

There's certainly value to be had here - analyzing different personality types and identifying if someone is trying to manipulate you.

A recurring theme of the book, however, seems to be that you put on an act and make sure they never figure out that you're manipulative and insincere. If you're interested in more win-win people skills books without the risk of being discovered as manipulative (because the praise is both sincere and strategic), I would recommend How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and also How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing With People by Les Giblin (both available as great books on Audible). Though dated, the principles remain true.

Another issue I have is he states that certain qualities must "appear" to be such and such, or that certain qualities simply cannot be faked, without instruction on how to sincerely develop these qualities. When you sincerely develop qualities there is no risk of being "discovered" because you genuinely have them. A great book on this is Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz (though the audiobook is a bit lackluster - I would recommend getting the book itself).

Opinions on manipulation aside, there are many examples in the book which point to works of fiction as evidence rather than real world application. Other parts give extreme examples of famous figures and celebrities possessing these qualities. Examples of modern day application for the average person seem to be virtually nonexistent, and the whole thing comes off as someone who studies something more than they practice it (for example, learning from someone who writes about professional basketball as opposed to learning from a LeBron James).

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165 people found this helpful

I have been seduced

It's not at all what I expected, and for that I am glad. I imagined it might be some pick up artist babble, but what I got instead was a devilishly insightful glance into an essential part of human nature. Greene does not sugarcoat anything, and unveils the secrets of not only romantic seduction, but manipulation of almost every kind. The numerous archetypes of seducers and anti-seducers are explained in lovely detail with many historical and fictional examples to boot. I found myself falling for the book as if I was being seduced myself. The stories and examples throughout not only give great manifestation to the technique discussed, but also have rejuvenated a spirit of wonder and excitement within me. The narration is clear and wonderfully read in a perfect cadence. I cannot recommend this book enough. For someone like myself who has always yearned to grasp more and more power in the realm of social dynamics, this a goldmine.

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Food for Thought

I got this book because I've noticed a few of the men that I've dated running a stupid game and I was curious where in the world they had gotten the idea that such behavior would help them to achieve their desired outcome.

I have never had any trouble getting dates, but I have been curious about the mechanics of attraction. What is it that makes people attracted to one person and not another? This book offered some thought-provoking answers to that question.

As far as this book's usefulness as a "how to" guide, it scored pretty low for me. This author isn't citing studies or statistics. He's mostly using characters in works of fiction written by men in centuries past to illustrate his point. It doesn't take a genius to see that the author is using the very strategies of seduction described in this book to seduce the reader into thinking that it's good.

Finally, it should be noted by every reader that some of these suggestions are truly rapey. Anything more than the lightest touch could actually get you criminal charges. Be careful, and perhaps consider whether you actually need to get laid That badly.

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I have had my eyes opened

What a stuff up I have made of my own seductions. What I have missed, what time I have wasted, how cynical I have become. What a fool and not only in love. Business, work, career, family, any relationship. This book is worth the study and when I say study I don't mean listen to and forget. Get your notepad out and start working. Will probably change your life.

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Monotonous

I bought the abridged Art of Seduction narrated by Jeff David. It was enchanting and the text was animated so interestingly! Loved it.
That encouraged me to buy the full book. Maybe my expectations were elevated but the narration wasn't by Jeff David and instead the book is read as if it's a regular book. Being quite a long book, it sounded quite boring and monotonous.
Please redo the book by Jeff David PLEASE!!

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64 people found this helpful

A history of seduction, now with 10% more honesty

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Some of the examples given can be perceived as creepy and or primitive (well, because they come also from a more primitive stage of society).
It would have helped to try to ease the reader into these examples so that there isn't an automatic rejection of the interesting information within them.

What did you like best about this story?

I really liked the realistic view of people and seduction that is presented by the book.
I also enjoyed the thoroughness with which each case was presented, with explanation and plenty of examples.

What about Joseph Powers’s performance did you like?

The narration is really nice and engaging, with a hint of complicity that makes you feel a little bit of a naughty boy. It was really entertaining and funny at times.

Was Art of Seduction worth the listening time?

The whole experience was entertaining in and of itself, and somehow challenging to one's concept of reality, especially for people who don't know much about the topic or come to it from a more naive perspective.

Any additional comments?

I think this book has to be taken for what it is, which is an introduction to the reader to what the author considers is the world of seduction.
I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the content of this book as "outdated" or "not applicable" to today's world as many recent political results have shown, we seem to be more than ever vulnerable to cheap seduction tactics. By ignoring this important part of the human experience, we only make ourselves easier targets.

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37 people found this helpful

Stunningly awful handbook for the would be stalker

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This is a very, very bad book. Buyer beware:

1) it is 22 hours of constant repetition

2) it is very poorly researched. The author bases his evidence on cherry-picked literary texts and biographies, yet makes sweeping statements about human psychology.

3) some of the generalizations the author makes are truly astonishing: No woman is immune to X. Everyone wants Y etc.

4) It glorifies awful people and their deeds

5) It makes baseless claims about types and categories of people. "There are 9 types of seducers," etc. Completely made up by the author.

6) It is deeply sexist and misogynist, though it pretends to give an equal stage to female seducers (Cleopatra!), as well as to homosexual ones. Somehow, though, it seems to relish especially the stories about old men manipulating young girls into giving up their virginity.

7) It gives "advice" to would-be seducers, as though it were trying to be a handbook for stalkers and psychopaths. It literally tells you how you should approach "your victim." Your VICTIM?! I found this incredibly creepy.

8) A central piece of advice is to never give up, even when "your victim resists!" What on earth?

9) Most of the historical figures the author gives as examples were exceptionally intelligent and practiced their "craft" by intuition and cunning. I worry about some average Joe trying to follow the advice in this book (and some will). Please, average Joe, do not try this at home! (Unless you want a police record).

10) Buyer beware...

What do you think your next listen will be?

Definitely not something about how to manipulate people (or, as Green calls them "your victims"), to do what you want against their own best interests.

What does Joseph Powers bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If I read the book I would not have made it all the way through. Because I listen in the car, and he has a pleasant voice, I listened just to pass the time and mentally throw rotten tomatoes at the author. So you could say that the reader helped me get through this awful piece of "literature."

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The reader was good. I would gladly listen to another book ready by him. A good book, though.

Any additional comments?

I cannot understand how this book got so many good reviews. It makes me fear for humanity.

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27 people found this helpful

I've bought several copies.

My copies of this book keep disappearing. It's a great book. I read it again ever couple years and always learn something.
A book which enlightens your thoughts on sales men and con men alike.

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25 people found this helpful

A book that drones on and on

This book drones on and on. I couldn't finish it despite being interested in the topic. It's a historical analysis of successful seducers from cleopatra to French nobility. And that's all it is, an ANALYSIS. The only chapter worth reading was the intro and the first chapter about sirens, such as cleopatra. Beyond that, Greene follows the same formulaic retelling. Basically a book on "naturals" with no practical takeaways. Save your time and buy another book. Maybe 48 laws of power is better, I haven't read it yet.

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21 people found this helpful

Life is easier now

I’ve noticed after reading this book I have had the ability to seduce anyone in a sexual/non sexual way. My dating/work/social life has improved. If I wasn’t atheist I would think I sold my soul for this kind of power. Great read.

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19 people found this helpful