I’ll go with the low-hanging fruit: Mein Kampf. I’ve read it, cover to cover. As a piece of propaganda, it’s good. As an example of good writing? Absolutely not (though I will admit I have only read it in translation). Oh, and the whole fascist, racist, and generally shitty worldview of the author that he infuses into the text. And the fact that the author is literally Hitler. You 5-star that book? You’re a Nazi. Period. And as a Jewish person, I don’t look too kindly on them.
I don’t think it’s a controversial book, just a misleading title. It doesn’t really teach techniques on how to manipulate people. It’s more of a reminder that you attract more bees with honey than vinegar.
IMO manipulation is more about intent than ability. Any socially-capable person could manipulate others, but it’s not manipulation unless you’re trying to deceive them.
I can convince people to do what I want fairly easily, but I don’t hide it usually. I just make it so that our motivations line up.
I mean the book was written for people that grew up poor or socially isolated and made it to a low or mid management position by being good at following a system rather than motivating people around them. Most of the practices the book talks about are already common in a lot of areas with middle class or upper middle class families.
True enough lol. I grew up kind of socially isolated (in a fairly strict sect of Christianity) so I found the book very helpful. It has had a significant impact on my life because it laid foundations for me that my parents really should have lol.
I had the same experience, that it filled in the gaps my parents didn’t teach.
I read it in between high school and college coming from a poor community and it helped me immensely.