★★★★★ 5
Mastery is the goal, The Laws of Human Nature is the Truth
Format: Hardcover
Mastery is the goal. It’s us striving for our best. It’s optimistic. The Laws of Human Nature is what we actually are.
I read the first chapter and put it down for a week. I knew I trusted the author and that I could gain incredible insight in finishing the book. But I had to drop my expectations and comparisons to his other work and wrap my head around the journey I was going to take. Now I am near the end of the book and feel incredibly connected to myself. Here’s why:
I’ve become spoiled with the author’s other works—learning the game, how to win, manipulate, and grow. But to me, regarding his other works, it always felt like the weaknesses rested on my adversaries. I was above them. I had secret weapons. This is no longer the case. Maybe it’s also an age and perspective thing. I started his books in my early 20’s and now I’m older. I am more grounded in my ability to understand others and my arrogance has been replaced with curiosity. My existential crises come out in jokes rather than tears and I’ve accepted that absolutely everything is absurd. (I’ve also read The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker and come to terms with my impermanence which makes Laws of Human Nature less tragic to take on.)
I loved the scientific and historical examples throughout. Trusting the author, I didn’t mind that the format was a bit different than his other works. Typically, they begin with an historical example and are followed by a breakdown then a law. This book is the opposite. I didn’t mind being presented information first, followed by historical or scientific examples later as it gave me room to find the examples in my own life first. I think this book isn’t meant to be skimmed and that the formatting is intentional.
The reader needs to be ready to look at the uglier parts of themselves. To really delve in, I had to realize that I am not the exception to any of the rules or laws outlined in his other work. I am the rule. I almost wished I had read this one first. I’ve used his other work to build my life circumstances, but not so often reflected on my own weaknesses in such a microscopic way as required by The Laws of Human Nature. It causes one to breakdown themselves and their processes and doesn’t throw a stone on the adversary or tackle external circumstances as much in my opinion. In Laws of Human Nature, I am both the adversary and the obstacle.
This book is a true exercise in humility and honest self-reflection. It’s not the game tape outlined in the author’s other works. It is the finish line. It brings us back to the beginning—our true ugly, flawed, selfish selves. Get through the grieving process to acceptance, and this is an incredible book.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2018
