I love that you do a book club. Too many people overlook the importance/benefits of actual reading. Also, curious to know whether or not you've read "Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire.", by Chalmers Johnson, and if so, what were your thoughts?
Chapter 2 "Do not fight the last war" is a long standing phrase. With Drones and StarLink comms it is good to head the lessons. More is being proven today. That said - "what worked yesterday has a counter offensive today" Also, "What worked in Boar Wars might win again" America threw out Britian in 1782 & 1812 only to face the same lessons in 1963 Vietnam.
When asked in 2012 if he is religious, Greene said "I'm Jewish but I don't have a hardcore spiritual practice. I'm not hardcore Atheist; I'm sort of how Einstein was: He wasn't a believer in the Jewish God. I'm intrigued by the sense that there's something there." Oh yes. This is some of that Kabballistic good-good.
Also, the book was published in 2006. The internet has really grown since then. The main thing the book did for me was learning this mindset, these strategies and how to identify them when they’re being used against me.
In relation to chapter 13. I, for one, would absolutely love a long form video on the role of Intelligence in the modern world. It's something you're uniquely qualified for
Just watched your review, my partner bought me the book for Christmas to assist me in understanding and shaping corporate culture. I know nothing about military strategy, I'm fascinated with anthropology. Keep thinking of Robert Ardrey's territorial imperative and the social contract, both contribute to a natural and nuanced understanding of the psychological and strategic underpinnings of military operations. Fascinating review, thank you!
Not a fan how warfare is applied to corporations and employees. Maybe that’s why we’re screwed over so much. You are expected to give a two week notice when quitting but an employer doesn’t have to give any notice to fire you. An employer can bad mouth your character and work ethic but if you do the same they’ll sue you for defamation of character.
From what I can gather this is a book for corporate ego types to read thinking they're hard and big men because they're reading a war book but really most of what's been written is constructed in such a way to be applied corporately, It's like an ego stroker for people foolish or self consumed enough to fall for it
Greene's 48 Laws of Power is also worth looking at. There's a Godfather fan channel called The Culture Mafia who has done a Godfather-referenced video series on the Laws of Power based on Greene's book, with historical references as well as references to Godfather characters' tactics for illustrative purposes. Very well done and worth a look.
Mostly Sun Tzu & Clausewitz. But follow this with his books on the Laws of Power, & On Seduction. Distills most of the philosophy on Human Nature into a contemporary package, for better or worse. Then go back to his source material. It’s a lifetime study. Then become an empiricist, read history, see for yourself where you can. All at the same time. TY for this video.
This book is absolutely crucial to understand the Chinese pla on my last battle assembly I was babysitting a PLA soldier who defected to the United States. Inform me to 36 strategies was important to understanding the enemy
Dang S2! How do you find the time! I’m just learning about this book club thing u got going on. I also just learned about The wire that you post everyday!!!
while i havent had a chance to hunt through all your book club books (i only saw 2 in the play list) I would also recommend bringing up the most well known book, the art of war by sun tzu. It would be a good one to hit people with since so much of it does apply to life.
33 is the number. The groups and people who use it have nothing to do with it. Kinda like love. Religions that preach love, don’t own love. Just like secrect orgs don’t own 33…
Very nice breakdown and review of the book! I remember listening to the audiobook around three years ago. Do you have any book recommendations for someone wanting to learn more on military strategy, operations, and tactics?
I have read the book, but "Take the Moral Highground" makes sense to me. Put yourself in a position on a grand stage that you cannot be at fault for your ruthlessness. I can think of a few examples such as a certain conflict in the Levant. Present yourself as a victim while taking action as a aggressor so neutral entities are hesitant to intervene without controversy with their people or the global community.
I have many other books by Robert Greene, all incredibly well researched with citations. For those of you that did not know, Ryan Holliday apprenticed in a literary sense with Robert Greene before launching on all of his writing on stoicism.
Just FYI.... 8:45 Cortés "burning the ships" is actually a ripoff from Homer's "Iliad". Cortés and his commanders knew the literary imagery and knew the psychological power of that action.
Robert Greene is a history nerd and self help writer. The point of this book isn't to be modern military doctorine, but to highlight the timeless laws of human behavior. It's a self help book. I was confused when you talked about the interpretation sections being written like a self help book. All his books are self help books. Their written for improving your everday life and are usually in the self help section of a book store. I agree with the comment about his use of "always" and "never", but most of your critiques come from your expectations. You expected military docterine and read a self help book. It's no wonder you didn't enjoy the interpretation sections. You read the wrong book.
My take is that this book is more aimed at corporate types to "man-up" and understand how to get things done. For education of junior leaders, there are better books.
Then do Rise and Fight Again! My favorite book on the failures of the fledgling continental army, and how they managed to defeat the British War machine and win the Revolution. Then pleeeeeease do The Law by Frederic Bastiat, he's as relevant today as he was in 1850's.
Any 35F worth his salt would much rather take into account what a civilian historian knowledgeable in the host nation, its customs, history, philosophy and politics has to say about the AO than some fueler or supply sergeant who needed to take the ASVAB 3 times. There is nothing wrong with having pride and esprit de corps but this kind of elitist thinking is a hindrance and only serves to compartmentalize and alienate you from the civilians we swore an oath to defend.
Some commenters take this seriously , the rest have to wait for maturity of mind . I'm to old to be a participant otherwise I would find this book . Thank you for this post S2.
i do think that chapter 32 is meant to be read as your entire group/ nation/ whatever being forced into that castle you're not trading space for time at this point, you're not keeping the enemy tied up while another army maneuvers against them you and all your resources have been completely tied up and can't rely on anything but the walls of your castle and as long as the enemy is determined enough it will only be a question of time so it is a situation that needs to be avoided at all cost as long as possible definitely not the greatest example though considering, as you said, castles were always just either a way of protecting the local people from small raids or for forcing an enemy to stop their advance and letting other forces move against them listening to your points about that chapter you seem to have come to the same conclusion about what the writer was trying to get at but i've already written my little tangent and by god i will share it
The author is basicly an expert in sounding like an expert but the laws he puts forward frequently cotradict themselves. His 48 Laws of Power have lots of cotradictions.
Bro love all your stuff, next do the works and life of Ernst Junger! Do Storm of Steel, On Pain!, the Marble Cliffs, Glass Bees, and a Forest Passage, these are great literary works, the kind that make's one wonder why Hemmingway was so popular, when he's a pussy compared to Junger!
I have a copy of Art of War and a copy of On War, both that I haven’t read yet. Should I decide to read 33, would you recommend reading the three in any particular order?
Haven't read it yet, but it seems like he advocates for ruthlessness, but not evil. You can be moral and still be ruthless. Ever heard about a father killing a child predator? Ruthless? obviously. Immoral? ...not as far as I can see.
The last name of the author explains the ruthlessness and lack of morality. You can see the expression of that happening now in the middle east, with that unapologetic, aggressive and ruthless approach to civilian casualty and general attitude of (falsely) perceived self superiority that can be observed throughout history from that group of people.
Yep. Culture of Critique by Professor Kevin MacDonald is a great book on that gang, and why they behave as they do. Well worth a read, been banned on Amazon of course. 😁
@@manofkent6560 Thanks! I'll look for it! I recommend Solzhenitsyn's "200 years together" as well, it's avaliable online for free if you just google it.
About the Viet Cong defeating the United States losing the battles but winning the war, S2 says "there's been some debate about this" Are the people debating this also living in the country that lost the war?
Sounds pretty lame. Not as lame as that book the woman wrote about her mother, but 33 chapters of "no shit Sherlock" lame. The different tenses make me wonder if it's ghost written and/or partially plagiarized. Please, more like the first one. That review was entertaining.
I think maybr you're taking the title of this book too literally. This is not a book intended to train junior officers. This book is a primer for business/political/arts types first and foremost. It is part of a trilogy including The 48 Laws of Power and The Art of Seduction. Taken together the three are meant to create the Renaissance Man of the 21st Century. When understood in that manner you see it is a pretty good read on how to get a normie to confront, accept, and eventually learn to use the dark side of their psychology to defend themselves from whatever life throws at them. I think it's a useful book for young men to read, but nothing I would use to supersede formal military training.
The control of minds and information is more powerful and more effective than any physical weapon in existence.
Truth.
The beast who controls the media controls the minds .
@@bostonbluntAny thoughts on 22?
It's gotten ridiculous, yet used flexibly enough I can't yet shore up wtf the signal is exactly doing.
I love that you do a book club. Too many people overlook the importance/benefits of actual reading. Also, curious to know whether or not you've read "Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire.", by Chalmers Johnson, and if so, what were your thoughts?
Another video from the best creator on the platform. Thanks for the info!
Chapter 2 "Do not fight the last war" is a long standing phrase. With Drones and StarLink comms it is good to head the lessons. More is being proven today.
That said - "what worked yesterday has a counter offensive today" Also, "What worked in Boar Wars might win again" America threw out Britian in 1782 & 1812 only to face the same lessons in 1963 Vietnam.
When asked in 2012 if he is religious, Greene said "I'm Jewish but I don't have a hardcore spiritual practice. I'm not hardcore Atheist; I'm sort of how Einstein was: He wasn't a believer in the Jewish God. I'm intrigued by the sense that there's something there."
Oh yes. This is some of that Kabballistic good-good.
Einstein was a plagiarist.
Sounds more like Spinoza.
is this the comment thread for schizophrenics?
@@DevinDTVThis is the thread for those closest to true enlightenment. Though, most do go insane before getting to the bottom of the 🐇 🕳.
@@BrassowGamingIndeed, he was a complete fraud.
Thank you 😊
I just purchased this book! Glad to see it featured!
Thank you for the recap. Well laid out and articulation of your opinions and perspectives. 👍🏼
Great job!!!
Loving the S2 Book Club video reviews! Please continue with book reviews - much appreciated 👏
Absolutely Great Book. Every book written by Mr. Robert Greene. Highly recommend!
Also, the book was published in 2006. The internet has really grown since then. The main thing the book did for me was learning this mindset, these strategies and how to identify them when they’re being used against me.
Brilliant Input and very well curated examples! Thanks for this video!
In relation to chapter 13. I, for one, would absolutely love a long form video on the role of Intelligence in the modern world. It's something you're uniquely qualified for
Enjoyed this book, especially the red blurbs and stories of the Mujahadeen
oooh, nice design. Margin notes in red is a cultured choice
Use of "always" and "never" remind me of a saying my dad taught me. "There's an exception to every rule - except this one."
A good book, a tremendous resource for further reading. Good examples, the side notes are nice. Long winded. I took notes and revisit them regularly
Just watched your review, my partner bought me the book for Christmas to assist me in understanding and shaping corporate culture. I know nothing about military strategy, I'm fascinated with anthropology. Keep thinking of Robert Ardrey's territorial imperative and the social contract, both contribute to a natural and nuanced understanding of the psychological and strategic underpinnings of military operations. Fascinating review, thank you!
Great book.
Not a fan how warfare is applied to corporations and employees. Maybe that’s why we’re screwed over so much. You are expected to give a two week notice when quitting but an employer doesn’t have to give any notice to fire you. An employer can bad mouth your character and work ethic but if you do the same they’ll sue you for defamation of character.
From what I can gather this is a book for corporate ego types to read thinking they're hard and big men because they're reading a war book but really most of what's been written is constructed in such a way to be applied corporately,
It's like an ego stroker for people foolish or self consumed enough to fall for it
Love that author
Great video. Nice to see updates from you. Hope I never have to apply this in real life.
Thank you sir, only reason not taken down, is to complicated for RUclips. You tell how wars work..
Greene's 48 Laws of Power is also worth looking at. There's a Godfather fan channel called The Culture Mafia who has done a Godfather-referenced video series on the Laws of Power based on Greene's book, with historical references as well as references to Godfather characters' tactics for illustrative purposes. Very well done and worth a look.
Sounds promising.
The set up looked Very familiar.
Mostly Sun Tzu & Clausewitz. But follow this with his books on the Laws of Power, & On Seduction. Distills most of the philosophy on Human Nature into a contemporary package, for better or worse. Then go back to his source material. It’s a lifetime study. Then become an empiricist, read history, see for yourself where you can. All at the same time. TY for this video.
This book is absolutely crucial to understand the Chinese pla on my last battle assembly I was babysitting a PLA soldier who defected to the United States. Inform me to 36 strategies was important to understanding the enemy
I'd love to see your review on 'The 48 Laws of Power'. It may seem oddly outside the wheelhouse, but it has a surprisingly similar focus.
Yess!
Great book. Never finished it though, figured I'd do that after the fall...
@16:12 this has been tough for me. I work pretty hard and obviously so do you
Babe wake up S2 just dropped
Dang S2! How do you find the time! I’m just learning about this book club thing u got going on. I also just learned about The wire that you post everyday!!!
excellent book from this author. His other books should be required reading as well.
while i havent had a chance to hunt through all your book club books (i only saw 2 in the play list) I would also recommend bringing up the most well known book, the art of war by sun tzu. It would be a good one to hit people with since so much of it does apply to life.
Another one is the Anabasis by Xenophon, in my view, THE book to read on leadership in crisis situation.
I’m in.
Wait, this is the same "Greene" that Sam Hyde recently spoke about. He had some good points about this guy, he's really just a hack.
“33” Illuminati confirmed. Lol
What is that? Why 33?
33 is the number.
The groups and people who use it have nothing to do with it.
Kinda like love. Religions that preach love, don’t own love.
Just like secrect orgs don’t own 33…
You don't get to claim enlightenment until you comprehend what the 33 genuinely means.
@@InterpretingYoudegrees
@@bserieshatch133rd°=Inspector General
The value of this book is demonstrated by the fact it's banned in the majority of the correctional facilities in the US
Very nice breakdown and review of the book! I remember listening to the audiobook around three years ago. Do you have any book recommendations for someone wanting to learn more on military strategy, operations, and tactics?
I have read the book, but "Take the Moral Highground" makes sense to me. Put yourself in a position on a grand stage that you cannot be at fault for your ruthlessness. I can think of a few examples such as a certain conflict in the Levant. Present yourself as a victim while taking action as a aggressor so neutral entities are hesitant to intervene without controversy with their people or the global community.
I haven't * read the book. My apologies.
Greene’s books are pretty good.
I see you're no longer recording audio with a toaster - great video man
I have many other books by Robert Greene, all incredibly well researched with citations.
For those of you that did not know, Ryan Holliday apprenticed in a literary sense with Robert Greene before launching on all of his writing on stoicism.
"When you have heard the bells of my carrier pigeons, you will know true despair" - ancient chinese proverb
I read the shit out of this book for a couple years
Can you also do the 48 laws of power
All of Robert Greens books are worth the time investment
“On Killing” the psychology of killing in war is also a good one
which was written by a nerd who never saw combat, and used to sell seminars/speaking events.
Just FYI....
8:45 Cortés "burning the ships" is actually a ripoff from Homer's "Iliad". Cortés and his commanders knew the literary imagery and knew the psychological power of that action.
Robert Greene is a history nerd and self help writer. The point of this book isn't to be modern military doctorine, but to highlight the timeless laws of human behavior. It's a self help book. I was confused when you talked about the interpretation sections being written like a self help book. All his books are self help books. Their written for improving your everday life and are usually in the self help section of a book store. I agree with the comment about his use of "always" and "never", but most of your critiques come from your expectations. You expected military docterine and read a self help book.
It's no wonder you didn't enjoy the interpretation sections. You read the wrong book.
Yo I was just looking at this on Google books and just figured it was gonna be a wee bit gimmicky like 48 laws of power
My take is that this book is more aimed at corporate types to "man-up" and understand how to get things done. For education of junior leaders, there are better books.
Are you at BLC? I was reading that book during day 1 a few days ago
Then do Rise and Fight Again! My favorite book on the failures of the fledgling continental army, and how they managed to defeat the British War machine and win the Revolution. Then pleeeeeease do The Law by Frederic Bastiat, he's as relevant today as he was in 1850's.
I can't take any book like this seriously that was not written by someone who did not serve in the Military.
Any 35F worth his salt would much rather take into account what a civilian historian knowledgeable in the host nation, its customs, history, philosophy and politics has to say about the AO than some fueler or supply sergeant who needed to take the ASVAB 3 times. There is nothing wrong with having pride and esprit de corps but this kind of elitist thinking is a hindrance and only serves to compartmentalize and alienate you from the civilians we swore an oath to defend.
It’s a classic.
I think I speak for most of your subscribers when I say I enjoy your long form content.
Give this a like if you AGREE 👍
Ummm... i never knew about this book club stuff. How do i get more info on this.
Is it possible to be ruthless and not evil?
Some commenters take this seriously , the rest have to wait for maturity of mind .
I'm to old to be a participant otherwise I would find this book .
Thank you for this post S2.
i do think that chapter 32 is meant to be read as your entire group/ nation/ whatever being forced into that castle
you're not trading space for time at this point, you're not keeping the enemy tied up while another army maneuvers against them
you and all your resources have been completely tied up and can't rely on anything but the walls of your castle
and as long as the enemy is determined enough it will only be a question of time
so it is a situation that needs to be avoided at all cost as long as possible
definitely not the greatest example though considering, as you said, castles were always just either a way of protecting the local people from small raids or for forcing an enemy to stop their advance and letting other forces move against them
listening to your points about that chapter you seem to have come to the same conclusion about what the writer was trying to get at but i've already written my little tangent and by god i will share it
The author is basicly an expert in sounding like an expert but the laws he puts forward frequently cotradict themselves. His 48 Laws of Power have lots of cotradictions.
Bro love all your stuff, next do the works and life of Ernst Junger! Do Storm of Steel, On Pain!, the Marble Cliffs, Glass Bees, and a Forest Passage, these are great literary works, the kind that make's one wonder why Hemmingway was so popular, when he's a pussy compared to Junger!
Mas war kitchen por favor
These “book club” videos are gold. I pee myself a little when I see a new upload.
Some great books i would like to recommend for future episodes:
the socialist phenomenon by igor schafarewitsch
I have a copy of Art of War and a copy of On War, both that I haven’t read yet. Should I decide to read 33, would you recommend reading the three in any particular order?
@coochykilla it helps very much. Thank you!
Haven't read it yet, but it seems like he advocates for ruthlessness, but not evil. You can be moral and still be ruthless. Ever heard about a father killing a child predator? Ruthless? obviously. Immoral? ...not as far as I can see.
Didnt Cortez scrap his boats because they were rotten due to improper ship care, so were not seaworthy to make the return journey anyhow?
Intelligence is a process and product designed for end users to inform their reality with reality.
The last name of the author explains the ruthlessness and lack of morality. You can see the expression of that happening now in the middle east, with that unapologetic, aggressive and ruthless approach to civilian casualty and general attitude of (falsely) perceived self superiority that can be observed throughout history from that group of people.
Yep.
Culture of Critique by Professor Kevin MacDonald is a great book on that gang, and why they behave as they do.
Well worth a read, been banned on Amazon of course. 😁
@@manofkent6560 Thanks! I'll look for it! I recommend Solzhenitsyn's "200 years together" as well, it's avaliable online for free if you just google it.
@@johnteslov5870I’ve read that too. Thanks for the recommendation though matey.
Read Klaus Schwartz's on war the book of five rings The art of war of course... That's where this author got most of their ideas.
Not for nothing Chief, AI melds with new generations of night vision. Are we gonna start seeing plasma beings in other realities?
Hes just repackaging his other book, 48 laws of power
About the Viet Cong defeating the United States losing the battles but winning the war, S2 says "there's been some debate about this"
Are the people debating this also living in the country that lost the war?
A very popular book in the US prison system.
Boom
Sounds pretty lame. Not as lame as that book the woman wrote about her mother, but 33 chapters of "no shit Sherlock" lame. The different tenses make me wonder if it's ghost written and/or partially plagiarized.
Please, more like the first one. That review was entertaining.
never die for ground you can take back later
33 eh
23:32 what if they can meme and are pretending otherwise.
I think maybr you're taking the title of this book too literally. This is not a book intended to train junior officers. This book is a primer for business/political/arts types first and foremost. It is part of a trilogy including The 48 Laws of Power and The Art of Seduction. Taken together the three are meant to create the Renaissance Man of the 21st Century.
When understood in that manner you see it is a pretty good read on how to get a normie to confront, accept, and eventually learn to use the dark side of their psychology to defend themselves from whatever life throws at them.
I think it's a useful book for young men to read, but nothing I would use to supersede formal military training.
Maybe you should pay attention to what he said at the start of the vid Sir.
@@stratonut I did. I also paid attention to what he said throughout the rest of the video too.
Get some.
Can you do sun Tzu I just subbed, good review
10*
S2 book club? Say less fam
Isn't this just a reinterpreted art of war?
Sounds like a decent book. The main thing I'm taking is audio books.
Wanted to comment on points; don't want to be canceled also 😉
This kind of stuff poisons your mind. You focus too much on it & you'll regard life as war and become the person acting these ways.
Dang im early
algorithm
💧. . . 🪧
This sounds like a terrible book
Hunt the brass.. 😊
Cites something Elon musk said, immediately disregarded