Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 180
•
Trim: 5 x 8
978-0-7425-5250-0 • Hardback • April 2007 • $19.95 • (£14.99)
978-0-7425-5251-7 • Paperback • December 2011 • $12.95 • (£9.99)
978-1-4422-1297-8 • eBook • April 2007 • $11.99 • (£8.99)
Craig Crawford is a journalist and television political commentator. He writes a daily blog for www.craigcrawford.com and is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post. He is the author of Listen Up Mr. President and Attack the Messenger: How Politicians Turn You Against the Media. He lives in Washington, D.C.
Foreword
Introduction
Chapter 1: Life is a Filthy Battle for Control
Chapter 2: Better to Boldly Assert Than Cautiously Deny
Chapter 3: Love Helps, but Fear Motivates
Chapter 4: Popular Lies Beat Unpopular Truth
Chapter 5: Ambition Is Never Satisfied
Chapter 6: Only the Flexible Succeed
Chapter 7: Better to Imitate a Winner Than Be an Original Loser
Chapter 8: Never Keep Your Word If Circumstances Change
Chapter 9: To Control Others, First Walk in Their Shoes
Chapter 10: The More Visible Your Power, the More Its Limits Are Known
Chapter 11: Arrogance Makes an Easy Target
Chapter 12: Most Would Rather Follow a Leader Than Lead a Following
Chapter 13: Those Who Prefer to Lead A Following Cannot Be Trusted
Chapter 14: Never Seek a Favor That Could Cost Too Much to Return
Chapter 15: Leading the Way for Change Seldom Pays
Chapter 16: Wanting Power Requires Less Intelligence Than Seeking Power
Chapter 17: Those Who Are Dependent on You Will Be the Most Faithful
Chapter 18: A True Enemy Should Be Eliminated, Never Tolerated
Chapter 19: In Dealing with Passive Aggression, Be More Passive and More Aggressive
Chapter 20: Victory Can Sometimes Be Concealed in Compromise
Chapter 21: Implement Painful Choices Quickly to Minimize the Effects
Chapter 22: Distribute Rewards Slowly to Prolong the Effects
Chapter 23: Allowing Others to Speak Truthfully Diminishes Their Respect for You
Chapter 24: Never Postpone Inevitable Conflict
Chapter 25: The Powerful Never Give Up Control; It Must Be Taken Away
Washington journalist and author Crawford (Attack the Messenger) gives Machiavelli a user-friendly 21st century update with this guide to life's struggles for the unwary, the good-natured and the 'never met a man I didn't like' gang. . . Crawford is adept in his use of anecdotes to illustrate tough truths in a logical framework, providing excellent advice for launching endeavors, moving in a positive direction, surviving the scoundrels and embracing life.
— Publishers Weekly
Finally, a book that cleverly uses real politics to help people gain ground in their own lives. The ten commandments will get you to heaven, but Craig Crawford's 25 rules will help you survive the purgatory on earth. Read this —before it's too late!
— Larry J. Sabato, director, University of Virginia Center for Politics and author of The Kenneday Half-Century
Craig Crawford, a Washington pundit, has written a fascinating and insightful guidebook on the use of power in public life, and ways to avoid the pitfalls. He shows it takes a little bit of Machiavelli to play the game in politics—and life—and succeed.
— Helen Thomas, Dean, White House Press Corps, Hearst Columnist