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The Art of Seduction (平装)
by Robert Greene, Joost Elffers (Producer)
| Category:
Persuasion, Influence, Personal effectiveness |
| Market price: ¥ 198.00
MSL price:
¥ 178.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
Touted as an indispensable primer on how to take what you want from whomever you want, this book is another tour de force on influence. |
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AllReviews |
1 2   | Total 2 pages 14 items |
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Ken (MSL quote), Singapore
<2007-01-11 00:00>
First of all, I'd like to address some reviewers who have given their own moral take on the concepts discussed in this book. I think the rating system is one based on quality, not moral determinism. Many, if not most, and if not all, have also shown remarkable close-mindedness, which is always detriment to objectivity and open discussion.
This book frankly discusses our psychology, and what makes us tick, and what makes us iron filings to a magnetic personality, and how to magnetise ourselves. It is a stunning and enlightening insight into human psychology, a collage of history, sociology, and of course, seducers.
But hey, you may say, why don't you give it 5 stars? You just heaped the biggest pile of superlatives this side of a well-licked boot.
The answer lies, in that, it is simply inadequate for first steps in seduction. Over the long term, it contains pertinent and important information on how to seduce, re-seduce, and seal the heat in like a good cooling box. However, the strategies it details for initial phase seduction, is in my humble opinion, inadequate. For the Red Queen effect applies even to the dating world, and the dating world has moved on and modernised.
What this book is, is a great book on long term relationships and seduction. It is devoid of morals, as one reviewer has put it, but I find it all for the better as it is far less biased toward any distortions Morals might place in it. For this book is not a novel, it is an encyclopedia, a reference. And encyclopedias don't obey some shoddily-premised artificial society-constructed dogma.
The Art of Seduction, is a richly coloured tapestry in the fabric of life and the cloth of love. Just don't go thinking that this will instantly make you Mr Giancomo. You actually have to practice. |
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Boru (MSL quote), Canada
<2007-01-11 00:00>
This book talks about what motivates people and how to exploit it to get them to do things...yes, the book infers sex, but it also includes getting you to buy things, to accept certain beliefs...in general, to be sold.
Some people would find this repulsive, but like the 48 Laws of Power, this book focuses on explaining power...it is up to the person to use it for good or evil.
Personally I view it like martial arts. A martial art class teaches the power of a particular fighting style SO you can defend yourself better. Ditto for learning about the power to motivate people to do things. This knowledge can be used to defend oneself from the CONSTANT barrage of sales pitches we endure every day.
Though detailed explanation, prose, and examples, Greene explained sales approaches, victim theory, and executing the sale. From it I more thoroughly discovered the weaknesses I had that allow people to push my buttons. Usually it is a combination of victim types. Now, I am better prepared to (a) address those weaknesses and (b) prevent others (and myself) from seducing or selling me into doing things I shouldn't. Not to mention, I am more able to motivate others to do the right thing.
I certainly don't want to oversell the book, but I think reading it will cause a real solid step toward becoming self-actualized. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Except for the constant forced perspective of reading this book to learn how to exploit "victims", the read is quite eye-opening to the theories and psychologies of why people fall in love for some but not others.
I realize that many readers will be put off by what seems to be the purpose and use for this book, but I have learned a great deal about myself and what makes the heart tick. I went so far as to make a list of all my past loves and those that desired me but failed to snare my heart, and I ranked how attached I was to each on a scale of five. Then, I listed the qualities and methods Greene writes about next to those individuals. Astonishingly, my ranking of attachment - or enslavement, if you want to use Greene's terminology - corrolated with how effective those people were in using Greene's methods, abeit unintentionally. More intriguing was how Greene's descriptions of the "Anti-Seducer" matched up with those I did not fall in love with - those I was indeed repulsed by.
Naturally, I could have reached the same conclusions using common sense and a little self-reflection, but for someone who has no degree in psychology, getting Greene's perspective on love - or seduction - is incredibly intriguing. If anything, it has perked my interest in other books relating to the condition of love - or other human behaviors that can be disected. In the end, I believe this book can be read and valued without the intention of becoming the next Don Juan. |
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Kutiyavin (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
The topic of seduction has interested me for a long time and this book is absolutely superb! What stands out most is its "completeness" - all different types of personalities for seducers and targets of seduction are discussed, various stages of the seduction process are carefully laid out and their components discussed at great length and thoroughly analyzed. I especially liked the numerous examples of actual people from real life that the author provides making it very clear what the seduction involve.
I would call this book the "textbook" on seduction. It is fairly long and very thorough guide manual on how to become an irresistible seducer. If you're looking for something quick and easy to flip through, this is not the book for you. If you want to seriously study the art and practice of seduction - this is probably the best book, at least to start with. The book deals with the topic of seduction for both men and women.
You should also know that the seduction this book deals with is not of the cheap ordinary kind, where you just want to take the person to bed with you. This book is about learning to make another person fall passionately in love with you - about winning their mind first, before conquering their body. It's the kind of seduction that often requires patience, time and lots of careful scheming. If you just want a few tips on picking up a girl (or a guy), you should look elsewhere.
Yes, this book does not consider morality, but it is only the better for that. The most successful seducers often don't concern themselves with issues of morality. The book lays out the techniques of seduction in a brutal, but very truthful and realistic (maybe even cruel) way. Good seducers are not always compassionate or acting out of good will - that's just how the world actually is. When it comes time for you to applying these techniques, it will be up to you to decide how moral or amoral you choose to be.
Great book! Highly recommended for all would-be seducers! |
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Katae Kim (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
What separates this book from the two or three (honestly) "how to" books is organization. It is well organized, well classified & categorized. The book is systematic but also shows overlap between categories.
The other thing that I like about this book is that it gives examples, historical ones, instead of (or along with) vague advice.
Like many, if not all things, the book can be used to fit your needs, whether it is to "seduce" someone of interest or a whole audience.
Also, I think that before people get too moralistic on the book, it should be noted that people want to be treated or "seduced" a certain way. I am not sure it is wrong to treat someone the way they want to be treated. I guess it is wrong if the purpose is for some other goal or if one is not aware of the purpose. However, it is not wrong to be familiar with a ritual to follow if the other party wishes it. Otherwise, there would be no human contact.
Lastly, the book offers advice for the reader to follow if he or she wishes. You can't blame the book or the author if someone else uses it for unsavory ends. That is true of ANY knowledge, tool, weapon, ect. Like many things, it can be used for good or ill. |
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An American reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Dr. Waites (psychologist, lawyer, and trial consultant) has stated that the secret to persuasion is making the target feel good about agreeing with you. In The Art of Seduction Robert Greene goes one step further and tries to teach you how to manipulate people based on their desire for pleasure. The implicit theory behind this is slightly questionable given the range of desires people have, yet if the word "pleasure" is given a loose enough definition it might work.
The real issue with this book is that it is 454 pages, longer than Greene's 48 Laws of Power by 24 pages. It also follows the same format. This book will teach you the hows and whys of seduction through stortytelling and often leaving the reader to draw the conclusion themselves. Greene does NOT write how-to books. If you're looking for a quick read to teach you how to pick up that cute girl at the bar, this isn't it. Toward that end you can go search for David D., Mystery Method, The Layguide, or Ron Louis and David Copeland, among others. This book will provide you with one theory about the reasons why seduction techniques work.
One caveat, the book asserts that these techniques would not work on a well-adjusted individual. I would tend to disagree saying that these techniques would not work on someone who is completely full-filled in their life (not quite the same thing). Either way, these techniques will only enhance your presentation if the person feels they are missing what you are selling. There is very little information here on how to convince the person that they are missing what you're selling. |
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Mark McDonald (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
If you are just looking for a good book to help you get laid with minimal effort, then put this book down. There are books that are much easier and will get you results much faster. This book is not about getting easy pussy at a bar or strip joint. It is about helping a person fall deeply in love with you, and this is better. A person in lust for you is wild and not concerned about you. A person in love with you will go to the ends of the earth for you.
If you have very little background in psychology and/or philosophy, put this book down because you're not ready to understand it yet. It is an incredible book and I hope you don't get turned off because you're not prepared to read it.
If you are a die hard, conservative Christian moralist who is happy with their life and belief system, then PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE put this book down. Your beliefs will change to some extent, I promise, regardless of how strong you think they are. And if they don't you'll just be filled with dissonant emotions when you really understand what the Bible means when it says the world can be a terrible place.
On the other hand, if you are intelligent, observant, and patient then this is just simply an incredible read. You will see everything in this world with a new outlook. It will teach you the most intricate workings of human nature. Human nature is dark. Consider the following two biological facts:
1. A woman is likely to retain more sperm when she has an orgasm during sex.
2. A man's sperm is designed to kill the sperm of other men.
What does this mean? Women have been biologically hardwired to seek one man (the Alpha male) to be the sperm donor and to seek out another to raise the kid (the Beta male). Sorry folks, nature is just that dark. And this book has exactly the same kind of dark twists. It explains what makes people fall for other people, even if it is not so pure and wholesome. And though it is dark, it still is true, and there is beauty in truth.
This book will teach you how to play other people's emotions. This is a very important thing to learn. One cannot survive in this world without these skills. The most important thing people must realize about this book is that what is containes here is a dual edged sword. It most certainly can be used for evil. It does teach manipulation. But it also a book that can be used for good. With this kind of knowledge one can keep their partner happy for life. A seducer is a benevolent manipulator by definition.
For instance, if the seducer is really interested in mutual benefit, much useful learning will take place. A woman will learn that the most powerful way to keep her man happy is to be a sexual woman and a fun playmate. She will learn how to keep things spiced up with a few masculine psychological traits to appeal to masculine narcissism, deepen a man's love by giving him the gift of missing her. A man will learn how important it is to let his woman know how much he desires her and will also keep things spiced up with styling. Men and women can both learn how to keep people happy by being nondefensive and natural, to psychologically enrich others by being charismatic and charming, and to give and receive love as ideal lovers. And I've seen how much people who embody the psychological traits of the anti-seducer are despised by other people. The anti-seducer leaves people feeling diminished and hurt.
To summarize, it's hard, it's dark, and it can be used to wreak havoc in the lives of others. But most people don't want to hurt others. They want to live, and help other people live, better, happier more enriched lives in all ways. I truly believe that with the knowledge that is in this book, people can accomplish just that.
Use it wisely, young Jedi. The dark side of the force is much more seductive. |
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B. Gurney (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
This is no manual. There are no great pick up lines and no review of the best places to meet girls. But this book offers the prospect of total attitudinal change and the payoff of a rich emotional and fantasy life. And yes, if you make the commitment, you will get laid more often too.
There is lots of common sense. Of course confidence attracts, and compliments and constant attention are effective on women. But knowing when to stir anxiety and inflict a little pain - that is priceless. Is it dark, amoral? Perhaps. Greene accentuates his cold hard edge by referring to the object of your affections as the "victim," to be manipulated and plied with forbidden taboos. He advocates passion, advising those who are stuck with passive types to "do what you need to if you are to have your own way, then end the affair and move on." His advice on ending an affair reflects a hint of husbandry, as he describes how the "victim" is to be "sacrificed, not tortured." In the end however, both parties take the risks of the heart. By following Greene's advice, you may become a very successful seducer, but you will not be immune from spell you weave.
Overall, this is a romantic work. It is lyrically written, and spiced with enough historical and literary references to give it educational value and credibility. The prose creates the seductive world needed for seduction and confirms its effectiveness. After immersing myself in The Art of Seduction for a weekend, I found nature more alluring, the weather more immediate, women more beautiful and full of promise.
The book contains much excellent psychology ("timidity is self-absorption"), and an elegent consistency in the style and prose. But not necessarily in the advice. It is hard to square Greene's calculating approach with the spontanaity of the famous lovers he cites. But then, they were artists, and true art cannot be taught. |
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J. Slaughter (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
Great book. The only reason I give it only 4 stars is because I read Robert Greene's other book on Power, which is a definite classic, before reading this book. Many of the ideas are the same but applied specifically to the Art of Seduction. Since seduction and power are so related to each other it is difficult if not impossible not to overlap. This is a life changing book. If it doesn't effect how you deal with people and situations it will definitely change how you you view people and certain situations. As many other reviews have mentioned (some in detail) this is a dark book. Some people may not be ready for this book yet. It is not your average everyday "let me pick up a woman/man at the bar and take her home" book. There are no pick up lines here. It is reserved for those who are serious about The Art of Seduction. It is a complete text book. If you are not ready yet I suggest you get ready soon. And about that 4...let's make it a 5. |
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Hyland (MSL quote), USA
<2007-01-11 00:00>
This book is unbelievable. There is not a single OUNCE of actual scientific research to back up ANY of the author's claims. ALL of the scenarios provided in the book - "victims", seducers, instructions/"advice" - are EXTREME prototypes and NEVER actually exist in reality. Every single claim and assertion the author makes is based on fiction, mythology, fantasy, and the author's own opinion. None of it is scientific, and there is no way to weed out what may actually be accurate because the author lists no scientifically relevent sources or further readings. I am appalled at the HORRIBLE taste in which this book was written.
(A negative review. MSL remarks.) |
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1 2 | Total 2 pages 14 items |
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