The 33 Strategies of War

Robert Greene

Brilliant distillations of the strategies of war—and the subtle social game of everyday life—by the bestselling author of The 48 Laws of Power and Mastery

Robert Greene’s groundbreaking guides, The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, and his latest book, Mastery, espouse profound, timeless lessons from the events of history to help readers vanquish an enemy, ensnare an unsuspecting victim, or become the greatest in your field. In The 33 Strategies of War, Greene has crafted an important addition to this ruthless and unique series.

Spanning world civilizations, synthesizing dozens of political, philosophical, and religious texts and thousands of years of violent conflict, The 33 Strategies of War is a comprehensive guide to the subtle social game of everyday life informed by the most ingenious and effective military principles in war. Structured in Greene’s trademark style, The 33 Strategies of War is the I-Ching of conflict, the contemporary companion to Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.

Abundantly illustrated with examples from history, including the folly and genius of everyone from Napoleon to Margaret Thatcher, Shaka the Zulu to Lord Nelson, Hannibal to Ulysses S. Grant, as well as movie moguls, Samurai swordsmen, and diplomats, each of the thirty-three chapters outlines a strategy that will help you win life’s wars. Learn the offensive strategies that require you to maintain the initiative and negotiate from a position of strength, or the defensive strategies designed to help you respond to dangerous situations and avoid unwinnable wars. The great warriors of battlefields and drawing rooms alike demonstrate prudence, agility, balance, and calm, and a keen understanding that the rational, resourceful, and intuitive always defeat the panicked, the uncreative, and the stupid. An indispensable book, The 33 Strategies of War provides all the psychological ammunition you need to overcome patterns of failure and forever gain the upper hand.

“The 33 Strategies of War” is a comprehensive guide to the subtle social game of everyday life and the psychology of conflict. The author, Robert Greene, examines various wars and military campaigns throughout history, and distills the strategies used by successful military leaders into 33 universal principles that can be applied to personal and professional life.

1. Understanding your enemy’s strengths and weaknesses is crucial in conflict.
2. Flexibility and adapting to changing circumstances is key to success.
3. Misdirection and manipulation can be powerful weapons.
4. Always have a backup plan and be prepared for the worst.
5. Know your own strengths and weaknesses to avoid mistakes.
6. Build alliances and establish strong relationships with others.
7. Timing is crucial, choose your moment wisely.
8. Confuse and divide your enemies to weaken their resolve.
9. Learn from the past, study history and use it to your advantage.
10. Always have a long-term strategy and plan for the future.