The 33 Strategies of War
by Robert Greene
Greene applies military history, Napoleon, Sun Tzu, Rommel, Grant, to competition in life and work: self-directed warfare, organizational warfare, defensive, offensive and unconventional strategies. It is long, erudite and amoral, as his books are, and the chapters on controlling your emotions and knowing your enemy are useful regardless of your ethics.
Read it if…
you enjoy Greene and want strategy drawn from military history.
Skip it if…
you dislike the amoral framing; it is pervasive.
Three things you will actually use
- Declare war on your own weaknesses first.
- Know the enemy's psychology, not just position.
- Choose your battles; most are not worth fighting.
Do this first
Read the self-directed warfare section; strategy begins with your own mind.
Our verdict
Erudite and amoral.
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