From Library Journal
Touted as a "handbook on the most subtle and effective form of power" and "an indispensable primer on how to take what you want from whomever you want," this book is more than a little creepy. Following on the heels of his 48 Laws of Power, this book continues Greene's gross exploration of social power, this time in the realm of sexual politics. In Part 1, Greene, again paired with "packager" Joost Elffers (Play with Your Food), offers a straight-faced description of the nine types of seductive character, from the "Ideal Lover" to the "Rake." Elffers's contribution comes in the form of numerous quotes by famous contemporary and historical figures tucked into the side margins. Part 2 examines the process of seduction, subdivided into four phases, with chapter headings such as "Master the Art of Insinuation" and "Isolate the Victim." This book will have real appeal for power mongers, gold diggers, and heartless manipulators everywhere. Books such as Beverley East's Finding Mr. Write (LJ 5/1/00) and Jama Clark's What the Hell Do Women Really Want? (Island Flower, 1997) offer advice on the same subject without the distasteful exploitative emphasis. David Valencia, King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
The author of THE 48 LAWS OF POWER gives us another tour de force on influence, this time on the mysterious process of seduction. He describes nine basic types of seducers, and each one is illustrated by marvelous examples from history and popular culture. Skillfully drawn and paced, the examples bring to life character types that will make sense to everyone from the casual listener to the serious student of this type of influence. The reading here is too dramatic for my taste, but it's a minor distraction in an otherwise captivating picture of how the skillful seducer operates. T.W. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Greene is the author of The 48 Laws of Power (1998), a compilation of quotes from throughout history that prescribe methods of obtaining and wielding power. He now adds seduction to the mix of stratagems for those who feel the need to scheme to get what they want. Given the popularity of so-called reality-based television programs, it is clear there is a large audience of such people. Greene, again providing quotes on his topic from philosophers, scientists, playwrights, and novelists, examines "the achievements of the greatest seducers throughout history" and profiles 10 seductive archetypes. Although the tactics Greene advises may be distasteful to some, his literary survey is fascinating. As was Greene's previous work, this one is billed as "A Joost Elffers Production." Elffers is identified--with no hint of embarrassment--as a book "packager." A "quote" from a Newsweek review of The 48 Laws is used to hype the new book, though the actual article in which the quote appeared challenged Greene's credentials as an editor and playwright and offered only lukewarm praise. David Rouse
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Book Description
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 Seduction is an indispensable primer of persuasion that reveals the timeless power of this age-old art.


About the Author
Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, lives in Los Angeles. Joost Elffers is the producer of the bestselling Secret Language series.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
According to Ovid, ￯﾿ﾽThe first thing to get in your head,/is that every single/Girl can be caught -- and you￯﾿ﾽll catch her if/You set your toils right.￯﾿ﾽ In this intensive study of the seducer￯﾿ﾽs art, bestselling author Robert Greene teaches us how to catch elusive lovers by wooing more strategically. Whether the object of your desire is cold, critical, or simply flighty, Greene￯﾿ﾽs comprehensive guide to the power games of love will teach you to draw your lover to your lair.

The first lesson in Greene￯﾿ﾽs passion primer is character; we cannot seduce without understanding our own archetypal roles and those of our swooning victims. ￯﾿ﾽAll we need to do to realize our potential is understand what it is in a person￯﾿ﾽs character that naturally excites people,￯﾿ﾽ Greene urges. With a sense of our own charms, we become more magnetic -- we begin to draw lovers toward us almost effortlessly. Greene delicately divides seductive types into nine basic categories -- the Siren, the Rake, the Ideal Lover, the Dandy, the Natural, the Coquette, the Charmer, the Charismatic, and the Star -- and instructs us in the fine art of radiating each type￯﾿ﾽs enticing charms.

Greene next teaches us to recognize the character type of prospective seducees. With a sense of what our love objects desire, Greene hints, we can easily insinuate ourselves into their fantasies. And once we have matched our own charms to another￯﾿ﾽs longing, we are ready to take them, step by step, into our own desires. ￯﾿ﾽCreate a false sense of security,￯﾿ﾽ Greene urges. ￯﾿ﾽSend mixed signals.￯﾿ﾽ The heat of seduction is caused by friction, by the thrust and recoil of emotional intimacies. With Greene￯﾿ﾽs advice, everyone can create a delicious drama in which to ensnare some darling object. All it takes, according to Greene, is a tenacious grasp of fundamental laws of seduction: the time-tested steps that we all must take to lure another.

Greene￯﾿ﾽs lessons of love are illustrated with quotations from the great masters: Ovid, Shakespeare, Baudelaire, and others. His laws are shocking, amusing -- and they encourage us to think calculatedly about the spells we cast on others. As in Greene￯﾿ﾽs bestselling 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction teaches us to manipulate others with erudition, style, and finesse. (Jesse Gale)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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 Seduction is an indispensable primer of persuasion that reveals the timeless power of this age-old art.

Author Biography: Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power, lives in Los Angeles. Joost Elffers is the producer of the bestselling Secret Language series.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Touted as a "handbook on the most subtle and effective form of power" and "an indispensable primer on how to take what you want from whomever you want," this book is more than a little creepy. Following on the heels of his 48 Laws of Power, this book continues Greene's gross exploration of social power, this time in the realm of sexual politics. In Part 1, Greene, again paired with "packager" Joost Elffers (Play with Your Food), offers a straight-faced description of the nine types of seductive character, from the "Ideal Lover" to the "Rake." Elffers's contribution comes in the form of numerous quotes by famous contemporary and historical figures tucked into the side margins. Part 2 examines the process of seduction, subdivided into four phases, with chapter headings such as "Master the Art of Insinuation" and "Isolate the Victim." This book will have real appeal for power mongers, gold diggers, and heartless manipulators everywhere. Books such as Beverley East's Finding Mr. Write (LJ 5/1/00) and Jama Clark's What the Hell Do Women Really Want? (Island Flower, 1997) offer advice on the same subject without the distasteful exploitative emphasis. David Valencia, King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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