Customer Reviews

The Politics of Life: 25 Rules for Survival in a Brutal and Manipulative World

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I love Craig Crawford's writing. He is to the point and on point. He is unpretentious and smart -- and that's a rarity. The Politics of Life is an antidote to the dumbing down we've experienced in this country of late. This is no good-guys-versus-bad-guys morality play, but an insightful look at working with the realities of everyday life, whether in the hallowed halls of Washington or the Tastee Freeze in Topeka. I'm getting a copy for a young friend who has just graduated with a degree in international studies, and one for another who recently finished her social work degree. I'm also socking one away for the day my one-year old granddaughter may need some good advice. I wish to hell Craig had written it in time for my college graduation....except I think he was still in short pants.

Politics is not just for politicians who run governments. So many of us say we hate politics, but we play politics every day. Whether maneuvering for a better table at a restaurant or pushing for a promotion, we are always using power plays for control - the essence of politics. The Politics Of Life: 25 Rules for Survival In A Brutal and Manipulative World matches the 16th Century philosopher, Machiavelli's, ideas in plain English with the secrets and strategies of master politicians throughout history, laying out the 25 rules for playing politics beyond government -- at work, in your family, among your friends and against your enemies. If you are alive, you need to read these rules.

This is a must read for anyone taking their life back albeit in personal or business relationships. Craig hits the nail on the head when it comes to how to negoitiate for a car, get a promotion or learn to stick to your guns and manage your self in conflict. It is not always the loudest voice that is always heard in life. Craig will leave you feeling empowered and ready to be your own personal agent. Cudos for this. I look forward to a formal book tour so I can shake his hand for a job well done.

Dennyco in Cleveland

The book is an entertaining read as well as being unfortunately true.
Anyone starting to navigate the "real" world will find it an excellent guide.

The author, a White House correspondent for Congressional Quarterly, tries here to distill wisdom for everyday living from the lives of the people he covers and those like him. While this can lead to viewing politics as a bigger version of the Jerry Springer show, the author to his credit stays focused on what rules of conduct can be be distilled from the behavior of those under intense media focus.

In an era in which news consumption of all forms except the Internet is declining, this is a bold but subtle effort to add relevancy and purpose to it. The author frequently adds the words of Machiavelli to add gravitas and perspective to his observations. The very first words of the introduction, indeed, quote Machiavelli's observation that "It seems to me better to represent things as they are in actual truth, rather than as they are imagined."

His 25 Rules take the struggles of Washington and beyond into everyday life. His 25 Rules are "Life Is A Filthy Battle For Control," "Better to Boldy Assert Than Cautiously Deny," "Love Helps But Fear Motivates," "Popular Lies Beat Unpopular Truth," "Ambition Is Never Satisfied," "Only The Flexible Succeed," "Better to Imitate A Winner Than Be An Original Loser," "Never Keep Your Word If Circumstances Change," "To Control Others, First Walk In Their Shoes," "The More Visible Your Power, The More Its Limits Are Known," "Arrogance Makes An Easy Target," "Most Would Rather Follow A Leader Than Lead A Following," "Those (Subordinates) Who Prefer To Lead A Following Cannot Be Trusted," "Never Seek A Favor That Could Cost Too Much In Return," "Leading The Way For Change Seldom Pays," "Wanting Power Requires Less Intelligence Than Seeking Power," "Those Who Are Dependent On You Will Be The Most Faithful," "A True Enemy Should Be Eliminated, Never Tolerated," "In Dealing With Passive Aggression, Be More Passive and More Aggressive," "Victory Can Sometimes Be Concealed In Compromise," "Implement Painful Choices Quickly To Minimize The Effects," "Allowing Others To Speak Truthfully (And Negatively About You Or Your Actions) Diminishes Their Respect For You," "Never Postpone Inevitable Conflict," and "The Powerful Never Give Up Control; It Must Be Taken Away."

These rules should be best considered as theories that have been proven true in some places and some circumstances. Besides the copious anecdotes the author cites, there is little empirical research or reference to books on leadership or self-help that have covered much of the same ground in greater detail.

Following this advice from the author leads one to extreme caution in some circumstances, extreme rashness in others--just like the tactics of all too many Washington politicians. Anyone who wants a good guide to political strategy and tactics at a high level will find this book a useful summary.

Anyone plagued by indecision on a personal or business matter covered here will find the certainty expressed here by the author to be bracing.

But anyone seeking to make a balanced choice as to how to solve one problem or another at home or at work would be well advised to seriously consider the relevancy of one's circumstances to the rules advocated, the opposing points of view, and the time period over which one's decision will have an impact.

These are rules designed to get one from point A to Point B as best as is possible. They are not rules to achieve innovation. They are not rules to achieve greatness. They are not rules to transform institutions or to solve urgent societal problems.

This reviewer likes the concept of this book, and thinks the author did a good job of implementing it. But those worried about the effects of many of the tactics cited on the actual functioning of the federal government will likely have some qualms about this bid to set up our national leaders and their struggles as guides to our every day occupational and personal lives.

The separation of personal life and state is not a bad principle for considering our national leaders as role models beyond those occasions in which they have clearly demonstrated greatness or high moral character. Bill Clinton's early lies on his relationship with Monica Lewinsky is praised here as a bold assertion which brought him time; the inconvenient fact that it led to a criminal investigation of him when he lied under oath is dismissed as insignificant. This is one of many controversial judgments the author makes.

The subtitle of this book is "25 Rules for Survival In A Brutal And Manipulative World." Those who believe their actions have some effect on the world around them should carefully weigh on a case by case basis as to whether the advice in this book makes one's personal world more "brutal and manipulative" or less.

Mr. Crawford was a Senate Page, and has been an observer of this Brutal and Manipulative World for quite sometime. It hasn't ruined him yet.

"The Politics of Life" provides a 21st-century rewording of the sixteenth-century timeless philosopher's rules. Crawford begins with "Life is a Filthy Battle for Control" - observing that sometimes you can be content without control, and that politics is the art of control. Rule 2 is that it is "Better to Boldly Assert Than Cautiously Deny," using Clinton's Lewinsky experience as a mini-case in support. Rule 3 is that "Love Helps, but Fear Motivates," supported by the assertion that "Rewards Create Passive Fear" of not getting further rewards. And so it goes, through the rest of the 25 rules.

The "bad news" is that it is difficult and dangerous to generalize from a few examples because history never totally repeats itself. Thus, non-examined factors may make what worked once fail in the future. Peters and Waterman's "In Search of Excellence" offers a classic demonstration of this - shortly after publication many/most of those companies featured in the book encountered a severe downturn.

Bottom Line: Read and enjoy "The Politics of Life," but take its lessons with a grain of salt.

This book is a well written, concise primer for dealing with the control freaks in the world - everyone has experience in being controlled by a boss, a family member, a politician. This will help open your eyes. It is a fairly easy read - one chapter or two can be easily digested in one sitting. A negative critique is that more historical examples could help flesh out the 25 concepts...but it would probably make the book less of a quick read.

Craig Crawford has written another gem of a book. Though a slender volume, it is jammed packed with excellent insights. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs to navigate through life.... which I think is all of us. Bravo, Mr. Crawford!

As a dad advising two youngsters currently climbing the corporate ladder, The Politics of Life is a great road map for helping navigate the Fortune 500 fast track. Ordered two more copies. Hope the marketing mavens at Rowman & Littlefield put this book into the hands of thousands of university business curriculum prof's across the country. In any event, a college book tour is a must. The Politics of Life belongs in college book stores.