Robert Greene (American author) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Greene
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| Born | May 14, 1959 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Author |
| Education | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
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| Spouse | Anna Biller |
Robert Greene (born May 14, 1959) is an American author famous for his books about strategy, power, and human behavior. He has written seven international bestsellers. These include The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of ..., and The 33 Strategies of War.
Greene was born in 1959 and studied classical history in college. Before becoming a famous author, he worked many different jobs. His books often use stories about historical figures to explain his ideas. Many celebrities and leaders have read his books. However, his books are also controversial. They are the most banned books in American prisons because some officials worry about security.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Robert Greene grew up in Los Angeles, California. He was the younger of two sons in a Jewish family. He first went to the University of California, Berkeley. He later finished his degree in classical studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Before he started writing books, Greene had about 50 different jobs. He worked as a construction worker, a translator, and even a movie writer in Hollywood. In 1995, he was working at an art school in Italy. There, he met a book publisher named Joost Elffers. Greene shared an idea for a book about power. This idea eventually became his first bestseller, The 48 Laws of Power. Greene has said this was the turning point in his life.
Famous Books by Robert Greene
Robert Greene has written seven popular books that have been published around the world.
The 48 Laws of Power
Greene's first book, The 48 Laws of Power, was published in 1998. It is a guide for people who want to understand power. The book explains how to gain power or protect yourself from others who have it.
The "laws" in the book come from the ideas of historical figures. These include the Italian writer Niccolò Machiavelli and the ancient Chinese general Sun Tzu. Each law has its own chapter. The chapters explain the law with historical stories.
Greene says that power itself is not good or evil. He wrote the book to help people understand how power works in groups and organizations.
The 48 Laws of Power has sold over 1.2 million copies. It is popular with many famous people, including musicians 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Will Smith. Rapper Busta Rhymes said he used the book to help him in his career. The book has also been mentioned in songs by artists like Kanye West and Drake.
Some people find the book's ideas to be controversial. Greene has said that people often focus on a few "wicked" laws. He believes most of the laws are not manipulative and are used in business every day.
The Art of ...
Greene's second book, The Art of ..., came out in 2001. This book explores why people are drawn to others. It describes nine types of charming personalities.
The book uses examples from history to explain the psychology of attraction. Some of the figures he writes about include Cleopatra, Duke Ellington, and John F. Kennedy. The book has sold more than 500,000 copies.
The 33 Strategies of War
Published in 2006, The 33 Strategies of War is Greene's third book. It is a guide to the strategies we can use in our daily lives. The book takes lessons from great military leaders and thinkers. These include Napoleon Bonaparte, Sun Tzu, and Alexander the Great. It also studies strategists from other fields, like filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.
The Sunday Times called the book "an excellent toolkit for dealing with business and relationships." The book has sold over 200,000 copies.
The 50th Law
The 50th Law is Greene's fourth book, which he wrote with the rapper 50 Cent. It was published in 2009. The book is about being fearless. It combines stories from 50 Cent's life with lessons from historical figures. Each chapter explains a different part of being fearless. The book became a bestseller on lists like The New York Times and USA Today.
Mastery
Greene's fifth book, Mastery, was released in 2012. The book looks at the lives of masters in different fields. It studies people like the scientist Charles Darwin, the inventors the Wright Brothers, and the composer Mozart.
Mastery explains the steps and qualities needed to become an expert at something. The book was a bestseller and was featured in many major publications like Forbes and Business Insider.
The Laws of Human Nature
Greene's sixth book, The Laws of Human Nature, was released in 2018. The book explores why people act the way they do. It discusses people's motivations and biases. It also talks about topics like being rational and persuasive. Greene has said this is his most important book.
The Daily Laws
The Daily Laws is Greene's seventh book, released in 2021. It is designed like a daily guide. Each day of the year has a short piece of wisdom from Greene's other books.
Personal Life
Robert Greene lives in Los Angeles with his partner, Anna Biller, who is a filmmaker. Greene can speak five languages and is a student of Zen Buddhism.
In 2018, just before his new book was released, Greene had a serious stroke. A blood clot, caused by a wasp sting, affected his health. For a time, he could not use his left hand and leg.
Greene has said he is Jewish but does not follow a strict religious practice. He has also been a mentor to another bestselling author, Ryan Holiday.
Politics
Greene has shared his thoughts on political events. In 2022, during protests in Iran, groups shared a text they said was from Greene. It described strategies for opposing the government.
Greene supported Barack Obama in the 2012 United States presidential election. He identifies with liberal political views.
