The Art of Seduction: An Indispensible Primer on the Ultimate Form of Power

Greene draws on Freudian psychoanalysis to describe concepts like regression and repression. How might another branch of psychology be used to explain the seduction process and concepts?

Choose one of the historical or fictional stories in the book and compare Greene’s summary and interpretation with the source text. How does it differ? What is an alternate interpretation of the story?

If Greene is offering a manual of seduction for contemporary audiences, why does he draw on historical and fictional sources for his evidence? What are some examples of contemporary evidence of his techniques and ideas?

If Greene is offering a manual of seduction for contemporary audiences, why does he draw on historical and fictional sources for his evidence? What are some examples of contemporary evidence of his techniques and ideas?

In several places, Greene uses the phrase “lure into your web” to describe techniques of seduction. Why does he use this phrase, and what kind of metaphor does it evoke? How does it reflect the book’s themes?

How do the techniques in the book compare with the methods of pickup artists? How do they differ?

How have political leaders from the 21st century applied some of the seduction techniques to seduce the masses or their constituents? Which techniques have they used, and how have they applied then?

Compare and contrast The Art of Seduction to Greene’s The 48 Laws of Power. Which techniques are similar and which differ? How?

Greene often uses words like “physical pleasures” and “desires” in the place of “sex.” Why does he do this? How does it fit with other language he uses in the book and the book’s overall tone?