Well, Robert Greene has done it again. He has dropped another masterpiece on our doorsteps. And in some ways, he has written his most personal book. No, he does not tell us about his childhood or Freudian conflicts; "Mastery" is personal because Mr.Greene has held about 80 jobs, including as a construction worker, translator, magazine editor and screenwriter. The turning point in his life came when he met book packager Joost Elffers and pitched him a book called "The 48 Laws of Power". Mr.Greene is also a fan of the Lakers (in spite of their 0-3 start). I illustrate this to point out that Robert Greene had to find his way to becoming the author "The 48 Laws of Power", one of the most influential books in modern times. If a man has held 80 jobs, he probably was not sure exactly what he was going to do for the rest of his life. And this book, "Mastery", is a tribute to a condition we have today in our society - the uncertainty of our calling. Robert Greene was at one point in his own dark forest and we should all thank whatever God we worship, because, what better person to outline a path for you than this guy.
Every review will discuss how the book is broken down and what historical figures Greene dissects (Mozart, Einstein and Edison), and contemporary ones (Temple Grandin, one of my heroes). I won't get into that, and besides, you will wander in the rich Robert Greene-eske pastures and see them for yourself. What I will talk about is: the effect it has had on me.
I'm not someone who does not know what he wants to do. I've been very clear about my "calling" since I was about 15. And I have pursued it with blind intensity. Although I have been told by enough people that I'm very good at what I do, I have reached a point in my life where I have considered the end of this chase, as I have not made a satisfying amount of money and it's not getting easier. Therefore, recently, I have experienced the most relentless kind of discouragement and confusion about my life. I mention this because Greene's books have a tendency to appear at the right time. When I need it the most. When I'm confused about something - power, seduction, war, fear - Greene writes a fucking book about it. And Greene's latest opus has given me clarity. The master has once again highlighted the "invisible forces" of society and given me targets to aim at.
The majority of people I know are smart people who don't know what they want to do with their lives. This "uncertainty of calling" is like an epidemic in America - and likely, many countries where we have the luxury to have this feeling. "Mastery" is the antidode to this sickness. It will infuse you with purpose. It will limit the amount of time you think about how you've wasted your time.
I'm still taking the book in, and I will scribble more notes down before the book comes out, hence the "part one"...
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