Why should EVERYONE read books on power and control?
The reason is apparent in the daily news. There are many national and international power struggles at play today. And misinformation, manipulation and deception are widely used to influence you.
But why should you care?
First, everyone needs power to a degree. A clear example is a parental relationship, in which the parent should have control over the child.
And they should know how to use it wisely.
Secondly, understanding the mechanics of power is essential if you want to think as an individual, regain control over your life, and make better decisions for yourself and your family.
And finally, people who shy away from power need it the most. Those with good intentions can make a real difference in the world through power.
Think about folks like Gandhi and Martin Luther King.
Everyone needs a degree of power. Not to control others, but to control your life’s narrative and make a positive impact.
That said, letās dig into the nine best books about power!
P.S. Love audiobooks over paper versions? Learn if Audible is worth it for you.
#1: 48 Laws of Power
It was difficult to rank this book in the number one spot.
And hereās why:
Robert Greeneās book was quite confrontational for me. There are some disturbing truths about power, and The 48 Laws of Power show why.
However, the laws in and of themselves are not evil ā even though people throughout history use them in such ways.
Understanding the 48 laws will:
- Increase your understanding of human nature;
- Clarify the (harsh) realities of how the world works;
- Enable you to use power to make a positive impact;
- And shields you from bad actors.
The book uses many examples to clarify each law, some of which may make you cringe a little.
But if you want to understand human behavior, politics in organizations, and how the real world works, I suggest reading this book.
#2: How to Win Friends and Influence People
While the title of this book might put you off at first, as it did to me, it might become one of your favorite books.
This book will broaden your perspective on human nature and how you can deal with people in ways that benefit everyone.
Some principles from the book:
- Never criticize or complain about others. Wouldnāt it benefit everyone if the entire world would do this?
- Be generous with praise and praise often. In a world where everyone has a critical opinion about everything, a little more recognition makes a positive impact.
- Avoid arguments because you never win them. If you lose the discussion, you lose. But if you win it, you make the other person feel bad and lose indirectly.
Most of these principles are straightforwardā¦
ā¦ yet so easily overlooked and forgotten.
Thatās why How to Win Friends and Influence People remains one of the classics of all time. And if you want to improve your relationships, I highly recommend you read this book.
#3: Mastery
Mastery is another book by Robert Greene. However, itās less confrontational this time and all about skill development.
Unfortunately, true mastery is a lost art.
Everyone wants instant results and quick fixes without putting in too much effort. But to stand out in a highly competitive field, you must do the opposite of what everyone else does.
Thatās what this book is about.
Robert Greene studied the most famous people in history and what got them there. And he shares his insights in this book and does so through an easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach.
You will learn:
- The stages you must go through to achieve mastery in any area.
- Practical advice that equips you for each stage.
- How to become creative and create your unique flair.
- Many examples of great individuals, like Leonardo Da Vinci, Mozart, Charles Darwin, and Thomas Edison.
Mastery is rare these days. But if youāre willing to commit your time, effort, and energy to master a specific area, you will be well rewarded.
#4: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
When discussing power, we primarily speak about the ability to influence others. And thatās what this book is all about.
Robert Cialdini is an American psychologist who went undercover for three years to observe the masters of persuasion. He discovered the six principles that influence behavior:
- Reciprocity.
- Commitment and consistency.
- Social proof.
- Authority.
- Likeability.
- Scarcity.
These principles are timeless and repeatedly used in all aspects of life. If that doesnāt convince you yet, hereās why you should read this book:
- Learn how to spot the patterns that influence your decisions;
- Protect yourself from those who use it in bad fate;
- Broaden your perspective of psychology and human behavior;
- Many real-world examples to understand the concepts.
You should read this book if you want to understand how external factors influence your behavior every day. It enables you to take back control and make better decisions in the future.
#5: Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t
This book about power by Jeffrey Pfeffer is all about understanding the powerstruggles when building a career in a large organization.
So, if climbing the corporate ladder is your ambition, you must develop a robust skill set and understand the politics at play in your organization.
And thatās quite the chess game…
But if you want to climb the corporate ladder, thereās just no way around the politics. You need to understand its relation with your work and how you can use it to climb to the top of your organization.
And this book will help you do that.
#6: The Art of War
If you want to learn about power in the context of war and history, this book is specifically for you. Sun Tzu was a military strategist and philosopher; in this book, you learn his key lessons.
Many leaders have adopted these principles in their strategies.
The insights and examples in the book are based on wars from 2.500 years ago. However, these principles are timeless and relevant for business people or those building or managing a team.
Here are my key takeaways:
- Many valuable insights into timeless principles;
- Great examples and analogies to illustrate the points;
- Interesting read if you enjoy war strategies and how they apply to everyday life.
If youāre an (aspiring) leader in some shape, way or form, you should read this book at least once.
#7: The 50th Law of Power
Robert Greene is a specialist in observing and writing about power and control. And thatās why this is his third book on the list. However, this time in collaboration with ā guess whoā¦
Hint: they skipped law 49.
The hip-hop artist 50 Cent. However, there are some notable differences between the 48 Laws of Power:
- The book dives deep into one law.
- Many examples and lessons from 50 Centās life.
- And itās a combination between a biography, survival insights for business, and personal development advice.
The 50th law is all about fearlessness.
So if you want to become a little more fearless and step into your own power, you will love this read ā especially if youāre a hip-hop fan.
#8: The Way of the Superior Man
You will love this book if you want to learn more about masculine energy (and partly about its feminine counterpart).
In the book, David Deida explains what it means to lean into your masculine energy and how it relates to your drive, purpose, money, power, relationships and especially your intimate ones.
Why is this important?
Masculine energy is under fire from various angles. As a result, many men fear embracing their masculinity. And while thereās nothing wrong with having feminine or masculine energy, suppressing it is an issue.
This book helps you understand masculine energy and what it means to embrace it. And it also teaches how you can use your native energy to make the world a better place for you and those around you.
#9: Total Recall
Total Recall is the autobiography of no other than the great Arnold Schwarzenegger. And while this book isnāt precisely about power, itās undoubtedly about empowering oneself and rising to your full potential.
Itās a refreshing book on this list and super insightful.
This book explains how Arnold reinvented himself several times and became great in various areas against all odds. For example, many experts said he wouldnāt become a movie star because of his accent.
Itās one of my favorite biographies.
So if youāre looking for a fresh perspective of how one man gained power and used his influence to do good in the world, this is your book. Itās also very inspirational and shows what any dedicated individual is capable of.
Summary
People often link power to evil.
And some of these books about power show that manipulation and deception are part of the equation ā but thatās only one side of the story.
Power also enables change.
And whether you only want to take back control of your own life or fully step into your power to make a positive impact, you need to learn about the power mechanism.
It allows you to make better decisions, shape better outcomes, make a positive impact, and protect yourself and your loved ones from bad actors.
Which book will you start with?
And if you prefer audiobooks, get your free 30-day trial with Audible.
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