The Art of Seduction - Outside of a Dog

Electronic resource

English language

Published Sept. 5, 2010 by Penguin USA, Inc..

ISBN:: 9781101173466

(1 review)

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.

5 editions

ogd5XOt@bookwyrm.social reviewed The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene

Useless and Bizarre

1 star

This is basically a survey of how seduction is portrayed in written form. While the author does cover historical figures, including some who lived recently enough for other media of them to exist, the author exclusively studies what is written about those people.

The whole thing reads like a sex manual written by a virgin. Nothing in here is applicable to anyone who is attempting to navigate the real world. One such gem of advice, "...Heighten the effect by appearing in ceremonial and ritual events that are full of exciting imagery, making you look regal and godlike." Yeah... that'll help when asking for a promotion or swiping right on Tinder.

The book itself is littered with various quotes from other texts, many of which are only tangentially related to what's being discussed. It further drives home the point that Greene is a literature major that reads more than he interacts …

This is basically a survey of how seduction is portrayed in written form. While the author does cover historical figures, including some who lived recently enough for other media of them to exist, the author exclusively studies what is written about those people.

The whole thing reads like a sex manual written by a virgin. Nothing in here is applicable to anyone who is attempting to navigate the real world. One such gem of advice, "...Heighten the effect by appearing in ceremonial and ritual events that are full of exciting imagery, making you look regal and godlike." Yeah... that'll help when asking for a promotion or swiping right on Tinder.

The book itself is littered with various quotes from other texts, many of which are only tangentially related to what's being discussed. It further drives home the point that Greene is a literature major that reads more than he interacts with humans.

I always try to finish books, but this one just wasn't worth it. I suppose it'd be interesting to someone studying literary archetypes, but everyone else should leave the thing on the shelf.