Unabridged Audiobook
I usually don't read self-help but I was recommended this one because it's supposed to be indirectly about charisma and social interaction, so it should be interesting for introverts. But I couldn't get past the first half of the book. It's exactly what I expected from a self-help book, and I'll probably follow my instinct next time someone recommend me something like this again. My suggestion for you reading this is: if, like me, you were never big on self-help books, this one will not change your mind. Stay away. If you like self-help books then read other reviews, I don't think mine is of much use.
This book labels and defines behaviors that we do with each other all of the time. Although some of it is very machiavellian, everyone will find some behaviour they can incorporate, improve upon or observe that will make their lives with their significant others better. A must read for all divas, loners who are looking, wall flowers, seducers and players.
Machiavelli meets pop psychology. Look into the abyss and the abyss looks into you. Bob looked into the abyss and fell. This book is a study in amorality. Before you start your read lets examine a few of the assumptions. 1) Your fellow human beings are only here to be manipulated. 2) There is no morality, only what works for you in the short term. 3) There is no you. You are only what you present to others. This book is only useful as a study of the dark side. RT
This book is baaically a guide for how to abuse vulnerable people. It literally refers to the person being seduced as "The Victim" and at one point instructs the reader to isolate the victim from friends and family who may see through the seduction/manipulation and warn the victim. The author also states in the beginning that this "seduction"(manipulation) will only work on people who are unhappy with their life in some way, it will not work on someone who is happy and confident. Also questionable was how often the author sexualized childlike qualities, and states that the parent-child relationship is inherently sexual and abound with repressed desire. I tried to find value in this book in the context of preventing oneself from being manipulated by learning manipulation tactics, but ultimately the author really does not seem to understand people well at all as most of the tactics are so obvious and clearly based in the author's fantasy perception of themselves.
In depth, interesting and seductive.. 5/5
I wouldn't take this book as seriously as some readers in their reviews. This book is insightful and entertaining, full of curious historic references, some of which are well known. I wouldn't treat the book as a manual for seduction . To me it represents analysis or study that explores dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
If you listen to this book as a study on seduction and the various techniques, it's actually rather interesting. The style is a little too predictable after a while though - perhaps because it was the abridged edition.
When I first began listening to this book, I thought the author’s voice was a bit extreme, but as I continued to listen on the voice (a sexual undertone) began to fit the title of the book... It was PERFECT! This book was GREAT because it gave PRECISE DETAILS on how to seduce or conquer others, but interestingly enough, it also presented a flip side by offering all VICTIMS and PREY a look at how they act when they are under the spell of the Seducer. I would recommend this book to people, especially those that are tired of being made of fool of... as they will see themselves in the eyes of those who have seduced them. This book will offer them the power to no longer be seduced, manipulated, or lead astray, unless of course they want to be.
Not only did the author repeat himself repeatedly...this just kept getting weirder and weirder. One of the last items was "how to isolate your victim". This is a book for a stalker wanna-be. Normal people don't act this way.
I enjoyed listening to the book and a lot of lessons
it's nice.
I read this book because someone suggested it and honestly it was a long and drab read. Some interesting information but I did not enjoy it that much. I only got through it because I didn’t want to leave it half way done... the practices that are taught are very iry
Boring book. Great narrator.
Even though this book had some dark seduction techniques, I pick up some profound tips on how to influence people to get them on your side. for people who like to be more seductive this one, it's for you for those who don't might find this book offensive
This book is toxic as all heck, haha! If you want to manipulate people by undermining their self esteem and exploiting whatever insecurities or unhappiness they have in their lives, this book lays it out. Very predatory, great for pick up artists, politicians, smarmy people from all walks of life; basically anyone who wants to coerce another into engaging with you in the most shallow and unfulfilling way possible. Great for toxic relationships as well! Come on people, build each other up instead of trying to take advantage of others by tearing them down, sheesh. This kind of garbage is why people can't have normal social interactions without thinking everything's a zero-sum game. Glad I didn't have to pay for this book--it's an interesting glimpse into a popular cultural phenomenon (not much of which was new to me)... the narrator is hilariously over-the-top
Awful
Great listen.
the book was cheesy and narrator not good. save your money.
I have heard many audio books and I thought this audio book was cheesy. The reader just tried too hard to be seductive. I like the content but reader really ruined this book for me.
I loved this book. The reader was captivating and brilliant. I listened to most disks more than once and applied it to my life immediately.
It should have been called the Art of Manipulation. It had some interesting points and talked about famous people who have used different methods of seduction/manipulation but it wasn't interesting enough to listen past the first disk.
This book was a bit boring. The "reader" was overly dramatic. I quit listening half way through the second disc.
This book has talks about a somewhat taboo topic and I like it for that. The narrator's voice though is dark and mysterious. It does make some sense due to the nature of the topic but I think it goes too far. It's cheesy. There are also points where there is just too much fluff. It talks a lot about what to be but doesn't really give the best details on how.
You need only listen to the very first CD and you have heard the rest....very repetitive themes throught the book. If you seek to manipulate and play people to your favor, two CD's might do, otherwise there are way too many other good books out there to spend your precious time on.
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