Tuesday, April 22, 2008

The Art of Seduction



The Art Of Seduction: By Robert Green

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.

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.

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