Robert Greene was born in Los Angeles. He attended U.C. California at Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he received a degree in classical studies. He has worked in New York as an editor and writer at several magazines, including Esquire; and in Hollywood as a story developer and writer. Greene has lived in London, Paris and Barcelona; he speaks several languages and has worked as a translator. In 1995 he was involved in the planning and creation of the art school Fabrica, outside Venice, Italy. There he met Joost Elffers, the New York book packager and designer, and discussed with him his idea for a book on power and manipulation, the ultimate modern version of Machiavelli's The Prince. He and Elffers became partners and The 48 Laws of Power was born. The book has been a national and international bestseller, and has been translated into 17 languages. Greene's second book, The Art of Seduction, is more than a sequel to The 48 Laws; it is both a handbook on how to wield the ulimate form of power, and a detailted look at the greatest seducers in history. Greene is also a playwright; he is currently working on a theater project and his third book. He lives in Los Angeles.