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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

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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    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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Phenomenal

What a knowledgeable journey and soothing voice by the narrator. A+ read /listen would read again

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6 people found this helpful

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Insightful and Worth Reading

Like other books by this author, it is insightful and expertly and methodically crafted. You learn a lot and will pay more attention to the details and your own inner unique passion...

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2 people found this helpful

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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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  • GEB
  • 2021-05-31

Listen to the same story over and over again

So repetitive, I thought it was a bug in the Audible app..... Four or five (interesting) anecdotes, repeated a dozen times like he was introducing a new character. I remember him mentioning at some point to get a mentor.

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1 person found this helpful

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great book

filled with knowledge and information and great reflection of oneself helping you to move forward in life

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Should call this book deja vu

They warn you they repeat stuff in the book.. They weren't kidding. The author was probably paid by the word. Last few hrs they repeated everything in the first part of the book. Then the last 15 minutes they did another summary.. I found myself checking to see if I had accidentally hit the rewind button many times. I often listen to audiobooks several times if I enjoy them. This one... Feels like I listened to it 4 times.. I'll be taking it out of my downloads. The narrator did his part but I bet he must have stopped the recording to ask "didn't we already cover this stuff a bunch of times?"

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What it takes to become a Master on your own right.

I like the detail and repetition of the characters since my memory of names it’s not very good.

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Amazing, a must read book

For anyone who has a passion to excel in life and wants to reach the highest potential. Loved it!!!

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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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