Born in 1959, to Jewish parents, Robert Greene is an American author of books on strategy, power and seduction.

He has written seven international bestsellers, including The 48 Laws of Power, The Art of Seduction, The 33 Strategies of War, The 50th Law, Mastery, The Laws of  Human Nature and The Daily Laws.

He studied classical studies and worked a variety of jobs before his first book which was published in 1998. 

Greene frequently draws on analyses of past historical figures and events. He is also the most banned author in prisons in the US.

He estimates that he worked about 50 jobs, including as a construction worker, translator, magazine editor and Hollywood movie writer.

His first book, The 48 Laws of Power, first published in 1998, presents itself as a guide for anyone who wants power, observes power or wants to arm himself against power, quoting from the likes of Niccolo' Macchiavelli, Sun Tzu, Haile Selassie,  Carl von Clausewitz, Queen Elizabeth I, Henry Kissinger and PT Barnum.

It has been claimed that former Cuban President Fidel Castro had read the  book.

The Art of Seduction was published in 2001 and profiles the nine types of seducers (for example, The Rake, The Siren and The Charmer). It details aspects of attraction, authenticity, storytelling and negotiation. It has sold more than 500,000 copies.

The 33 Strategies of War was published in 2006. It is divided into five parts - Self-directed warfare, organisational (team) warfare, defensive warfare, offensive warfare and unconventional (dirty) warfare.

The Sunday Times called the book an excellent toolkit for dealing with business and relationships. It has sold more than 200,000 copies.

The 50th Law, written together with rapper 50 Cents, was published in 2009 and mixes talk of strategy and fearlessness by supplementing anecdotes from 50 Cents' rise both as a hustler and an up-and-coming musician.

Mastery was released in 2012 and examines the lives of both historical and contemporary figures.

The book I am reviewing today is The Concise Laws of Human Nature, which was released in 2018. Through 18 laws the book examines people's conscious and unconscious drives, motivations and cognitive biases. It also talks about persuasion, rationality and death. Greene considers this book as his most complete and advises anyone who hasn't read anything by him to start from here.

The Daily Laws, released in 2021, features concise texts on wisdom with each day of the year dedicated to a Daily Law.

From The Concise Laws of Human Nature here is an abridged version of the chapter on The Law of Envy. Of all the human emotions, none is trickier or more elusive than envy. The reason for the elusiveness is simple: we almost never express the envy we are feeling. Although the signs are subtle, envious feelings tend to leak out and can be detected if you are observant. 

Look for the pattern:

- Micro expressions

- Poisonous praise

- Backbiting

- The push and pull.

Envier types:

- The Leveller

- The Self-entitled Slacker

- The Status Fiend

- The Attacher

- The Insecure Master

Beyond Envy - what should you do

- Move closer to what you envy

- Engage in downward comparisons

- Experience the pleasure of others

- Transmute envy into emulation

- Admire human greatness