The Art of Seduction (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Joost Elffers (Collaborator) "We all have the power of attraction-the ability to draw people in and hold them in our thrall..." (more)
Key Phrases: physical lures, soft seduction, greatest seducers, Pei Pu, New York, The Art of Seduction (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

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. Books such as Beverley East's Finding Mr. Write (LJ 5/1/00) and Jama Clark's What the Hell Do Women Really Want? (Island Flower, 1997) offer advice on the same subject without the distasteful exploitative emphasis. David Valencia, King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Greene is the author of The 48 Laws of Power (1998), a compilation of quotes from throughout history that prescribe methods of obtaining and wielding power. He now adds seduction to the mix of stratagems for those who feel the need to scheme to get what they want. Given the popularity of so-called reality-based television programs, it is clear there is a large audience of such people. Greene, again providing quotes on his topic from philosophers, scientists, playwrights, and novelists, examines "the achievements of the greatest seducers throughout history" and profiles 10 seductive archetypes. Although the tactics Greene advises may be distasteful to some, his literary survey is fascinating. As was Greene's previous work, this one is billed as "A Joost Elffers Production." Elffers is identified--with no hint of embarrassment--as a book "packager." A "quote" from a Newsweek review of The 48 Laws is used to hype the new book, though the actual article in which the quote appeared challenged Greene's credentials as an editor and playwright and offered only lukewarm praise. David Rouse
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1st edition (September 20, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670891924
• ISBN-13: 978-0670891924
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (246 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,132 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Moralizers need not apply, but even the more unscrupulous of you should be warned, September 3, 2007

By	Serious Pimp - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Seduction (Paperback)

We've got plenty of people complaining about how amoral this book is and plenty of others who tell you about how great this book is so I don't think I really need to say anything about that here.

What DOES need to be said is that, even if you are the type of person who's perceptions are NOT dominated by moral values - meaning that you are more likely to apply the principals in this book - there are a few things you should know.

First of all I need to make one thing perfectly clear, this is NOT a "how to get laid" guide (though you can certainly use the principals in this book for that purpose, might be a bit of overkill though), if you're looking for a simple "how to get laid" guide, you're better off looking to works from Mystery, Ross Jeffries, or whoever else is into that sort of thing.

Now to tell you what this book is. It is a book on how to dominate, manipulate, and control someone to the point of making that person your slave.

Needless to say, applying these principles for the sole purpose of getting laid is somewhat akin to using an H-bomb to hunt down a squirrel. You can do it if you really want to, but proceed with caution.

The book also warns you against pursuing victims that seem overly self-sufficient, and that insecure or unfulfilled targets make much better victims. Be careful with this you guys! The practices outlined in this book are VERY powerful. If you go overboard with applying them to people who are TOO insecure or TOO unfulfilled, in other words people who are not emotionally stable, you could very well end up driving people into a deep depression or even suicide. That's how powerful this stuff is.

On a more positive note, there is one thing about this book that even those who are inhibited by higher moral standards can walk away with - a greater understanding of human nature (which, in my opinion, is the single most important subject there is). Fair warning, a number of things that society has conditioned us to believe about mankind and human nature, this book will turn them into ashes and does not leave much room for any sort of logical rebuttal. You won't recieve any sugar-coated nonsense here, principles that are warped with whatever agenda that those behind the curtain wish to impose upon you. No sir, none of that, just cold hard facts that may very well turn your concept of reality inside out.

Bottom line, this book is very potent and it provides you with a perspective that will change your model of reality. However, if it is used carelessly, it can destroy your life and cause you to destroy the lives of others. The teachings in this book are highly potent and if they are to be carried out at all, it must be done with maturity and responsibility.

89 of 105 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "My God,it's full of stars", January 3, 2002

By A Customer

...
This book explains the psychology of seduction. With examples throughout history it shows what works, and what doesn't. It doesn't start from the humanistic premise that all people are generally good, but from the biblical idea that "all men are evil" and will do evil. This makes the book downright devilish, and extremely practical and useful.
Approach indirectly, play the coquette, mix pleasure with pain, insinuate, "Use the demonic power of words to sow confusion", be hard to figure out. These are just some examples and this stuff works.
This is a handbook on manipulation. Although it can also be used to avoid being manipulated (very usefull, indeed).
Do yourself a favor, learn from the past, not only your past but the past of peoples from the dawn of time. This book was worth every cent.

579 of 710 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Better the devil you know..., September 17, 2003

By	C. Middleton (Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This unusual text can be viewed from many points of view. On one level, the author's intentions are at best quite disturbing, because the texts theme has definite anti-social undertones. Deception, manipulation, exploitation of peoples weaknesses to achieve selfish ends has no moralistic value whatsoever; in fact the whole idea of preying on a 'victims' weaknesses in order to position them within your power, to then sexually dominate and influence them to your wiles and wishes, is a deplorable concept anyway you view it. Then again, from another perspective, the numerous techniques of seduction that Green instructs the reader on, supplying a plethora of examples from history and Western and Eastern literature, can teach us to be wary, or at least aware of certain individuals unscrupulous methods to attain what they desire. As the old saying goes, "Better the devil you know, than the one you don't."

The lessons on seduction, at bottom, can really only work if one's targeted victim has some weakness or vulnerability of character. (Green warns to stay away from confident, grounded individuals) Through subtly stalking your intended victim, listening to their every word, stroking their ego, thus discovering their weakness, you can then supply the necessary requirement, whether it be excitement, adventure, danger, loving parenting, add a little time and patience, your victim will eventually fall under your spell. This particular strategy of discovering weakness, focusing on needs, and appealing to an individual's ego, is as old as the pyramids themselves. What's interesting, however, is that this strategy works and continues to be used by individuals and organizations everywhere - but we continue to fall for the scam. And do not be fooled by Green's language and impressive erudite examples from the great works of literature - a scam is a scam no matter how you communicate it.

The text itself is a play on seduction. Green uses the two most seductive and sought after aspects of our existence to reel us into his tutorial: sex and power. None of us want to be victims, in fact we all want to dominate, be the winners, gratify our base and exalted desires. Do you want to unknowingly be seduced or be the seducer? The answer, of course, is evident. Green knows this and uses this strategy by proposing that he can give us an edge, supplying the means to attain our every desire.

In the end, after reading this text from cover to cover, I asked myself the question, what did I learn? What I learned is that certain individuals and organizations will go to any lengths, ethically or otherwise, to dominate others and get what they want. All things considered, it is better to know than to not know, no matter how unsavoury the subject matter.