What a great read "The Game" is! I was enthralled, fascinated, repulsed, amused, embarrassed, nauseated and impressed - all at the same time!!

Neil Strauss, writer and self-confessed loser in love takes on the challenge of transforming himself into not just a PUA (Pick Up Artist), but an MPUA (Master Pick Up Artist). Using the alias Style, Strauss sets out to learn the secrets of luring HB's (Hot Babes) into bed from the current masters of the game. There's Mystery, an illusionist-cum-pick up artist- genius, who teaches the Mystery Method of Seduction; there's David D'Angelo, who teaches the Cocky-Funny method; the legendary Steve P, an acknowledged master of the game, and a slew of other experts, who specialise in turning awkward, luckless nerds into chick magnets.

As a woman reading this, I was fascinated by the whole subculture of PUA's, their websites, their field reports, their group houses and most of all, their special lingo. It is quite remarkable that they have evolved an extensive list of acronyms and terms which they use to talk to each other about "The Game". I had no idea that something like this existed and it never have occurred to me that men agonise to such an extreme extent over their abillity (or lack thereof) of attracting women. Are PUA methods creepy and flat-out manipulative? You bet they are!! No stone has been left unturned by these self-styled seduction gurus to find the ultimate way to charm a Hot Babe into bed. They have adapted principles of neurolinguistic programming, hypnosis, backhanded insults, cold shoulder tactics, blatant lying and other subversive forms of psychological manipulation to hunt down all willing females. I was blown away by this first-hand account of such an amazing, unknown till now, subculture.

Neil Strauss aka Style, is a wonderful writer who is consistently amusing whilst giving a serious and truthful account of his two-year adventure as a loser in love turned Master PUA. I found his insights into women credible and insightful and he comes across as someone I would have loved to date myself! He is intelligent, articulate, funny and adorable! His descriptions of the current Pick Up Artist gurus and their army of adoring acolytes is hilarious and tragic-comic by turns.


I highly recommend "The Game" to one and all. It is a marvellous insight into an underbelly of the singles/dating scene that I had no idea existed. I promise that reading it is the most fun you'll have with your clothes on this year!

I picked up this book along with Strauss' sequal how to book(s) "The Rules of the Game" with the intention of learning the secrets of the much discussed topic of this book, PUAs (otherwise known as Pickup Artists). What I got was something entirely different. This book is more or less Strauss' diary of events when he emersed himself into the PUA lifestyle. I was really suprised at the humor that Strauss directs at himself and his fellow nerdy PUAs who have turned socializing into something that seems more like computer programming. The terminology alone that these guys use really shows you what kind of life the majority of these guys lived before becoming PUAs (for the majority I envision nerdy computer programmers).
The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five is because I did a little research on the internet after reading this book and one of the main characters named Extramask (who is actually now a comedian named Barry Kirkey) stated that Strauss never met him in person or went to the seminars with him like is described in the book. If that is true than all I can say is that I am deeply disappointed as Extramask a.k.a Barry, was one of the funniest people that I have ever read about and I would lose a lot of respect if Neil actually just wrote down what people told him about Barry.
What's funny though is after reading this I don't think I would ever want to be a PUA. The majority of these guys are very superficial and are looking for superficial women to validate themselves. Still, I would recommend it to a friend, who would learn a thing or two about the community and get a good chuckle every chapter.

After watching a few episodes of the reality TV show The Pickup Artist, I decided to buy this book. I bought this one instead of Mystery's Method because Strauss wrote Jenna Jameson's autobiography which is in my mind excellent credentials. Still, my expectations were not really that high and I anticipated nothing more than a book filled with pickup lines or some sort of humorous dating guide. But The Game is much more than that. For starters, it reads like a story and has a fascinating plot and a diverse range of characters. Mystery is by far the most interesting character, but most of the other pickup artists are also entertaining to read about. The book begins with the author meeting Mystery and being introduced to a world he did not know existed, a place where guys without handsome looks or fat wallets can pickup hot women through technique and seduction. Mr. Strauss sets off on a journey where he transforms himself from a geeky writer to become one of the most talented pickup artists in the business. One of my favorite messages in the book is, "Don't be yourself, be your best self." This means you don't have to change who you are to pickup women, but you have to be willing to maximize your potential. This book is a great read and one that I will read again many times.

This is one of the best books I've ever read, both because Neil is an amazing author, but also because of the science it talks about. I've learned more about human sociology and psychology since reading the book than at any other time in my life. As mystery says so often, this isn't about picking up girls, but becoming better men. As a result, women are attracted but to get their you have to become a better person.

The stories in the book are hilarious, exciting, and make you want to read the book in one sitting.

This book is not a how-to book, like some of my friends thought upon seeing me with it. What this book is, is an entertaining story of a man's journey in this community. He is a guy that many an average man can relate to, and learn from along the way.

He shares his story while imparting some lessons along the way. Not to mention, it was very humorous!

A few years ago I was the archetype of the lonely man. I came very very close to commiting suicide in fact, because I felt trapped in isolation. I wanted friends, and I wanted lovers but I had no idea how to get them.

This book quite literally saved my life, in my darkest hour this book introduced me to the concept that being SOCIAL, making friends and being liked was a skill. Until I read this it had never occurred to me you could practice those things and get better at them.


This book started me on a path towards self-improvement in which I eventually realized EVERYTHING in life is a skill. Everything can be practiced you can learn how to be better at anything. Even being happy.

The Game is not a how-to book, it does not teach you all the techniques of pick-up. It's a true story about how some of the first pick-up artists started out. But the Game is an excellent introduction into a sub-culture of men devoted to making their own lives better. It's a primer to the IDEA that if you want to be more happy, or more sexy, or more attractive, you CAN be. You do not need to stay miserable.

Pick-up is ironically, about much much more than getting laid. It turns out that learning to love yourself (which ends up attracting women anyways) is also its own reward.

Neil Strauss can write like no other. I stumbled onto this one in a bookstore, and damn near read half of it before leaving. After some internet research, I learned about the whole seduction community and how Neil took it on as a writing project. It unexpectedly consumed his life, and ultimately became a completely life changing experience for him. His attitude, his self-presentation, and most importantly his social skills with women. The biography becomes an autobiography. Highly recommended reading.

After reading this book, I ultimately found myself in the same position as the author. The one night stands were fun while they lasted, but in the end I wanted something more substantial. It is really not that unusual for not-very-attractive men to win more attractive women. While men are mostly visual, and want someone good looking, women look for character in men. If it happens to come in a not-so-perfect package, we are willing to overlook that. One couldn't help but like the author, even while disrespecting what he was doing. But if you are a guy who wants to please either his one night stand or his one and only true love, here's a book that will help you accomplish that: Was that an earthquake? The Sensuous Couple's (Flip Over) Guide to Seismic Oral Sex. Blow her mind with your oral sex technique. If she is a keeper, flip the book over for her to read about fellatio, and she can blow your mind in return!

"The Game" is a fantasitic book with so many facsets to it. The main reason most people purchase this book is most likely to try to learn how to pick up women. You do learn a lot from this book about women, but more importantly you learn new and improved communication skills that can be used outside the world of women. Also, the book is a great read with many hilarious and telling stories of triumphs and defeats. I definitely recoment this book to anyone.

Underneath the 460 pages of literature is a simple storyline. It is one man's journey from being a weeny shy male to becoming a confident strong and desirable man. This man is Neil Strauss, aka Style.

Along the way, he follows a path akin to the world of Star Wars.

Initially an Apprentice to Master Mystery, he discovers how to use and control the PUA inside him, becomes a PUA Knight, gains worldly experience, and becomes a PUA Master. The first half of the book describes his many adventures along the path to becoming a PUA Master, until he has a Harem of 8 LTR's and launches Project Hollywood.

No story is complete without a villain.

PUA knight Tyler comes along, with a bad dose of the dark side. Like Darth Vader before him, he believes that at one stage he was but the pupil, but now he is the Master.

But Tyler is caught up in his lust for power amongst the PUA's and has lost his way by seeing the trees instead of the forest. For being a PUA is not just about getting one night stands, but is just a part of developing relationships with attractive women.

Our hero, Master Style, can see this. And he finds one such lady worthy of him and the books ends with him holding hands with his lady, leaving behind Sith Tyler and his apprentice, Darth Papa to the shattered world that was once Project Hollywood. Tyler thinks he has struck down Master Style, but in truth, Style has simply moved on to a new and better world.

This, in a nutshell, is The Game.

May the PUA be with you, always.

I bought this book for the simple fact is was kinda like Mr Instability, just a fun book and it was. I think people believe they can read a book and go out and pick up Heidi Klum. I think this book is worth a read just for the stories.

This book doesn't teach how to be better at picking up girls. What this book does it tell the story of the writer becoming a pick-up artist. In fact, it doesn't even tell you where to go to become a pick-up artist.

US culture has coarsened. Republicans are 100% correct in citing this trend that exploded since the 60s, liberal "revolution." Nowhere is this ghastly reality seen worse than The Game and its subordinating, brownnosing, 5-star reviews. Reading these 5-star ratings, the unsuspecting surfer would misconstrue The Game possesses virtue, entertainment and usefulness. My skewering review will disprove the 5-star reviews' fr*ud and divulge The Game as debauched, sadistic, sophomoric, misogynistic, underhanded, lecherous!!!!

The Game's the libertine story of an LA Times writer who longingly plots to "correct" his frustrated teen and twentysomething years spent without success in "getting laid." He's also insecure and awkward around women; he spends his waking hours longing for tail. His "solution?" Frequent the underground, pickup artist community--via internet groups--to procure tips on seducing, then bedding women. So, he becomes the pupil of the misogynistic and emotionally stunted man-child Mystery, self-proclaimed master of picking up women.

The "star" (Mystery) of Strauss' writing is one of the worst lowlives you'll ever witness. At first, Mystery's in his thirties YET LIVING WITH HIS PARENTS in an underprivileged, Toronto apartment!!!! He's emotionally retarded as evidenced in his confession that he never received love from his father--German immigrant-alcoholic who beat Mystery!--and how he yearns for a polygamist relationship with two lesbians. Mystery's pickup artist routine involves seducing many women to ineffectively battle to bring up his insecure sense of self-worth; underestimating the intelligence of women; and lecherously fu**ing as many women as he can pick up.

Mystery's routine is so elementary that it involves thoughtless, robotic patterns Mystery claims work on all women. From the seedy places described, it appears his routine only works if you target lowlife establishments (bars, clubs, Hollywood parties) and loose women. I repeat: The Game is misdirecting since Mystery's coarse pickup routine is never attempted on women of better breeding, ie., those with education, self-worth, class, morals--in short, conservative-leaning. His routine's only applied to liberal women he finds in the meanest of skid row locales. If one subserviently and errantly uses Mystery's pickup routine on women in normal places--away from the liberal skew of places like Hollywood parties and seedy bars--like malls, parks, offices, community/recreational activities, functions, etc., you'd get slapped in the face, and rightly so.

Mystery's tactics are misogynistic because they devalue women as fu**-buddies (actual term from The Game!) and conquests to be had; Mystery/Strauss admit many times picking up women is an addiction to satisfy their egos. Mystery's tactics involve going into a bar with his insecure, lowlife co-sargers and approaching women within three seconds of eye contact. It continues with pretending to be disinterested in the targeted woman ("negging") while the PUA's wing distracts whoever else in her group. It then, if need be, also resorts to ludicrous magic tricks and calculating demonstrations of value to the targeted woman. This combination of BS is alleged to result in quickly getting an indiscriminate, liberal woman's phone number, or even getting laid that very night!!!!

It's obvious Mystery's game is to be the poor man's Machiavelli, as The Prince dealt with manipulation too; only in The Prince, manipulation was applied intelligently and observed properly. These BS-routines are absurd and untrustworthy that only lonely/mousy nerds desperate for a woman's sexual touch, or sophomoric teenagers should/will bother with them. The censurable absurdity is Mystery proposes women will fall for elementary magic tricks done in bars!!!! Strauss alleges women are like crows hopelessly attracted to shiny objects, that if one ludicrously does magic in front of her, or asks her value-demonstrating questions, she'll put out like a sl*t!!!! No human's that insanely stupid, though liberal women in LA may well be.

Strauss also introduces other characters in the pickup community. There's Papa, Tyler Durden, Ross Jefferies, Sweater, etc.. Like Mystery, ALL suffer from irreversible, emotional damage. Papa's a rich college kid obsessed with scoring; Durden doesn't like girls but lusts for power over women; Jefferies hates women due to a life of rejection; and Sweater naively wants to find a wife. Due to the soulless PUA lifestyle, most of these characters met with misery by the book's conclusion: Papa dropped out of college where he was studying law; Sweater was trapped in a loveless marriage; and even Strauss, the author, was pining for Lisa (Courtney Love's guitar-player) who disdained his lifestyle.

I'll stereotype the demographic of verminous male who basely reads The Game. You're a life-loser who isn't getting any; loathes women; feels inferior; and cannot relate to women in healthy, emotional terms. I bet I'm 100% correct!!!! Ironically, Strauss terms the Alpha Male of the Group as the man who competes with the PUA, yet I feel I'm the Alpha Male of all who've read The Game because I refuse to be so desperate to pick up women by resorting to this BS. I, as the normal, healthy and well-adjusted man, simply relate to women as the human beings they are, and that works a zillion times more effectively than Mystery's BS.

Very entertaining book, keeps you interested but makes you realize there are some different people out there

Reading this book confirmed some experiences that I had before 2005, the year in which I decided to back off from dating. I'd rather live a successful and satisfying life alone than deal with men who think like the ones written about in this book. To the men who are looking for a loving relationship, do not follow the skills described herein--it will end up driving women away (as the author describes in the end).

I bought this book for a friend, and he really enjoyed it. I've skimmed the first few chapters, and it's chock full of humor. Some people might be offended by the message the book insinuates, but I'd say to take it with a grain of salt. Ultimately, the "skills" one gains from reading this book can be applied to various parts of life, not just when "gaming." Recommended for both guys and gals alike.

This book teach you how to deal with girl and woman, and this also give you a step by step method after telling you some stories as well as how to apply the tricks to attract girl. Be dare to fail and don't give up in practicing the method too... I tried some of his method and I could attract a lot of girls and woman in my 19th age...I've turned into an attractive man compared before that I'm an extremely nerdy guy...
Nerdy and thinker recommended to be a doer...

I would lump this book in with Iceberg Slim's "Pimp". Both books are cautionary tales whose point is missed by the majority of readers.

Strauss does a good job of describing the basics of pickup. Herein lies the reason most people will misunderstand the book and use it as a blueprint for picking up girls. There is even a glossary in the back that defines all the terms these pickup artists (PUAs) use.

The point Strauss is trying to make is that pickup is an illusion and that illusions can be exposed at any time. Mystery, the other main character in this book, is not the confident and studly man one would expect him to be. He is a mental and emotional wreck, whose sanity seems to be hanging on by the thinnest of threads. He threatens suicide and has violent outbursts throughout Strauss's time together with him. After reading this book, I see that the ultracool persona Mystery puts forth on his VH1 show is a farce.

Other PUAs are just as maladjusted to normal life. The majority of the PUAs Strauss writes about are nerds and geeks who have little to no understanding of how human relationships actually work. They think that by utilizing pre-memorized routines and neuro-linguistic programming principles, they can transform from awkward nerds to enviable satyrs. The fact that most of the PUAs become so immersed in the pickup culture that their lives fall apart is telling. The most indicative moment in the book is when Strauss posts a message on Mystery's message board that warns PUAs to not become social robots. To have to write such a warning shows you how far gone most of these guys are.

This book also puts to rest the idea that there is honor among thieves. Once a few of the PUAs move in together, all hell breaks loose. Instead of dealing with conflict in a healthy and productive way, the PUAs attempt Machiavellian tactics and backstabbing to solve their problems. These people are so socially deficient that it never occurs to any of them that they should sit down and confront the situation like a normal person would.

Ultimately, this book shows that the player lifestyle is unfulfilling and empty. I've heard it said that having sex with many different women is the same as having the same experience over and over. Strauss senses this, and his dissatisfaction with the PUA lifestyle is evident. He ultimately abandons these techniques when he begins his courtship of Courtney Love's drummer and is rewarded with a real relationship.

This is a great read, but it should be read as intended. It is not a pickup manual by any means and should not be read as such.

From this book as well...I can recall various situations in my life that were similiar to what what Mr Strauss wrote....

Author Of:
Black Women Deserve Better

If your reading this book, your probably like me. You didn't grow up with the social skills needed to be successful with women. You probably say things like "I have no freakin' clue what the #### girls are thinking".

At the very least you'll walk away from this book with a new confidence and outlook on the dating scene. It reads like an exciting novel. This is NOT a self help book, but a documentary on how one man acquired the social skills we all wish we had.

I'm not a player. Reading this book will not make you a player. But after a few weeks from reading it, I'm getting a whole different kind of energy from women. I've been on a few dates, and I'm talking to girls A LOT more relaxed and confident.

The Game is a phenomenal book! I believe most people devour this book because of the content, but I was missing work because of its remarkable use of language. Mr Strauss has put enormous effort into the writing amidst his life changing mantras, and the result is simply superb. The flow, the characterization, the mental images, the wittiness, and, of course, the content are simply at highest level of any American writer I have ever read. Five stars for a rare man, who can back his seduction skills with excellent literary hegemony.

If this book gives you confidence it will work:

In my teens I put girls on a pedestal and treated them with the utmost respect. I wanted something to do on a Saturday night, affection, and sex. I did not come on strong and women knew they were in the driver's seat. I put up with all kinds of bs. Both nice and not so nice girls walked all over me. Or at least dumped me. And I didn't get much affection or sex.

I became less of a pushover in my 20s and more demanding of women. I was still a nice guy but they knew I would stand for no bs. I would walk out the door if mistreated and they knew it. Somehow I was now in the driver's seat. And they knew it. I almost didn't even have to ask for sex. They put up no resistence at all --- unlike the women I had known earlier. Moreover, they didn't want me to leave them and three women in a row wanted to get married!

One anecdote. As a teen (see first paragraph) I dated a young 20-something women. She wasn't very nice but I put up with her until she finally dumped me. A few years later I get a telephone call (see second paragraph). Evidently, the bad boys she had been dating and sleeping with treated her like dirt and the idea of dating the nice, if almost submissive me, suddenly didn't seem so bad. But that's not the
interesting part. What was interesting is that she could immediately sense the subtle change in me. No, I wasn't a bad boy but I wasn't the shy teen she dated a few years ago. She swore that I was three inches taller --- I wasn't taller at all. My dress had not changed at all. I didn't even own a car! Yet she now wanted me. Unfortunately for her I now had choices and remembered how she had mistreated me in the past. (Indeed, I would not have dated her even if I had no choices.) No, I didn't take advantage of her and sleep with her. I nicely told her that I was no longer interested --- which was the truth.

So, yeah, it may not have to be a game but most women (especially young women) are generally not attracted to nice guys if they lack confidence and do not respect them. They're attracted to guys that are nice but will genuinely not put up with bs and that are a bit dominant.

One women who wanted to marry said "You let me say that I'm in charge but I'm really not am I." I didn't answer. Then she said "You're sort of a benevolent dictator." I didn't answer. And she paid me a great compliment on another day. She said "I'm afraid of you." Not understanding I asked her why. She said "I'm afraid that I like you too much." I didn't answer her. (She's now happily married with two kids, but not to me. I wasn't ready to get married and really liked her but did not love her.)

So, yeah, nice guys do finish last. But one doesn't have to be a jerk either. If this book gives you confidence it's terrific and you will have success with women. Most women do not want pushovers. And that success will be good for them, too. Because love and good relationships really do make the world go around. (And staying home on Saturday nights really sucks, too.) Good luck to all and may all have a loved one in their lives.

I'm not big into reading, but i when reading this book i found that i was actually excited to sit down and continue. Neil Strauss is now one of my favorite writers. I strongly recommend this book to everyone.

Being a woman, a pick up book shouldn't really interest me, but i can say after reading this book, not only do I know more about the PUA (Pick Up Artist) society out there but also I can really use some of the stuff and apply it to my sales profession.

This novel like book brings out the 'have no fear', 'just do it' in me. I take the skills in this book and link it to the art of meeting people, closing the deal and also not to get too carried away when you are on top of things.

If you are a single men and cant get any girl, take a bet on this. Learn the tricks, try it out. It will change your world.

I have to admit The Game was a fun read. Thanks to Strauss's experience as a magazine writer and journalist, his story is broken up into simple, entertaining vignettes that illustrate a greater, overarching theme, making the book accessible to a mass audience, especially non-readers.

Granted, Neil Strauss is a masterful storyteller, you can't take his advice too literally. Strauss, himself, has admitted that "The Game has changed," that the counsel given his 2005 book is now outdated. The Game definitely works on certain "types" of women. However, it's impossible to make sweeping generalizations about an entire group of people based on a hundred personal experiences. There are literally billions of women in the world.

Why it works:
The Game gives men something to say when approaching a woman. It could be anything: a neg, a magic trick, a "cocky-funny" remark. The certainty of feeling that this is in fact the "right" thing to say, thus, eliminating the anxiety arising from insecurity, enables men to approach more women, increasing their odds. Nevertheless, these strategies often attract the "wrong kinds" of women.

One word comes to mind when this book is mentioned, "huh?!" jk. actually it couldn't be more contrary with the approiate phrase that defines the whole book as bein an "aha!" moment.

Such a page turner. I couldn't put this down. Very exciting and informative... This should put alot of things in perspective. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!!

7pm, Friday Night, Hungryman dinner. This was the story of my life until I picked up this little tome. I tried other books before but they just showed women way too much respect and even encouraged having long term relationships with them! Oh no no no, see it, want it, get it, that's my motto, that's why this book was perfect for me. It tells you how to use women for 'favours' and discard them like a used prophylactic. Yeah, now that's more my style!

My only dislike about this book is how there's no tips for picking up guys! Hey to quote Marcus Licinius Crassus from Spartacus: My taste includes both snails and oysters. Therefore this book is quite hetero-centric.

The cover is degrading to woman and the book is worse. As a mom, I am very concerned and am absolutely amazed and disgusted. I am telling everyone I can about this and they are looking at it and are just as disgusted. How can something like this even get published? Shame on Amazon. I will no longer shop on your site. What is the world coming to.

This book opened my eyes, I was your typical AFC (average frustrated chump) in fact when Strauss described himself pre-training I saw myself in the mirror. This book has inspired me to change my life in fundamental ways that has really helped me, not just finding women but improving my assertiveness and confidence in every walk of life.

I read this book for "research" purposes, expecting to be disgusted with the author and his 'type.' Instead, I found it to be fascinating. I think every woman should read this in order to recognize when she's being gamed. It made me a little nervous thinking (although hoping the opposite would be true) I could have been one of those "dumb girls." I've surely had my moments of buying into the positive emotions I've felt from a flirtatious player and felt 'fooled' the morning after. I'd like to think I'm smarter now, but this book shows how so many of us are still being fooled. I loved the insight, loved the writing and the happy ending made it perfect.

I've tried a few books on this topic as you can see by my past reviews. I'm 350 pages into it and this was by far the most fun to read.

This is the first thing of Neil's that I've read and I love the guy's writing style. He is very descriptive in a way that brings the people, places, and interactions very much to life. I also enjoy seeing the growth of all the characters - for lack of a better term- and the community in general as the story progresses.

I honestly don't enjoy reading much in my spare time, but I keep finding myself coming back to this one.

That said, I was reluctant to give it 5 stars only because it's not as geared toward the actual pick up as I originally thought. Based on things I'd heard about it I was thinking this was going to be some sort of holy grail of pick up tips, which so far it really isn't. Don't get me wrong, there are a number of tips, especially early on, but many of the tips are incomplete and/or hollow (or approaches I'm not intersted in like hypnosis). For example Neil (through his own voice and Mystery's) suggests the reader try magic to impress the ladies. Personally, that's not an approach I'm interested, but, even if I were, it does not build on that. It does not tell me what tricks to do or how to do them. This is true of some of the other tricks in the book. Not bad advice, just incomplete at times.

That said, there are a number of tips that are complete and there are a number of other lessons to be learned just through reading and paying attention to the storyline. It's because of that and the writing style that I decided to go with a 5.

If you're looking for a good read, I would definitely recommend the book without hesitation.

If you're looking for pickup tips I'm on the fence as to whether I recommend it. A lot of the stuff can be found for free online on his site and many others. There were not too many things in this book that I have not seen elsewhere. Personally, I would probably just google some of the various sites and join their newsletters instead to get free tips. I would also check out Neil's myspace page because he has some very good advice in his blogs (plus some openers and other tips that came directly out of this book)and the videos are entertaining. I should note that he does list at various places in the book (and some are on his website) a number of movies and books you can look to to gain a better understanding of various topics

If you're just looking to learn about the pickup community and the lingo this is defintely a great book for that as it lives up to the title in describing his entrance into and gradual rise in the community and it immerses you in the language of the community, complete with a glossary in the back if you need a refresher. It also gives you an insight into who some of the people are behind the various pick up companies so you have an idea of who may fit your style best if you are considering workshops.

The last couple of books I've read in this area were straight guides to getting women into bed, complete with their own terms and techniques. You'll find that in this book but you'll also find a great story about the process of going from a dateless nerd to a pick-up superstar to a jaded hedonist still looking for more (like "love").

It's also an extremely well-written, far more professional work than the other "seduction manuals" I've found so far. As a writer to Rolling Stone, I found the sections where Neil's PUA trajectory in Europe and the L.A. club scene and his star interviews/encounters with stars like Tom Cruise, Courtney Love and Britney Spears incredibly fascinating. No caveman posturing here, just frank and honest appraisals of life as a stud.

I'm not sure how many more of these pick-up guides I'll read. I'm getting a similarity in the basic mindsets (exude more confidence, dress better, smile) so I don't know if they'll all sound the same after a while. But THE GAME has certainly been the most entertaining and insightful so far.

(There's also a ton of stuff online about Neil Strauss and his experiences that's worth looking at after you've read the book--at least to get a look at his hot girlfriend, Lisa).

OK true that this book was very attractive from the way it looked (the cover and all). But as I began reading it desiring some techniques that might be found on this book about how to pick up women, clearly it was nothing more than a story novel.

True the "story" has some detailed bits and tactics and ideas about how the Mystery Method explains, but this is definitely not a HOW TO guide.....I was actually reading to find strategies, yet only realized there was really nothing left but stories like a novel book.....I have Robert Greene's book SEDUCTION....Now there is a how to guide for you...

Very interesting book and, surprisingly, a real page-turner. I would rec this book to men and women alike. Those who say it is sexist are missing the point Straus is trying to make.

This was a solid book. It has some interesting theories. I liked it much more for the psychological implications than for the actual entertainment that it seemed to be providing. I would have rated it higher if people hadn't falsely built it up so much before i finally got my hands on a copy.....

The only reason I am giving this book two stars instead of four is because there are less people who gave this book two stars which means it is more likely that this review will be read by people like you who probably hit the two star review option. So now that you are here, you might as well read what I have to say! The best thing about this book is that it is written in the narrative form which makes it much more entertaining than other pickup manuals out there. The author's storytelling ability is excellent and the real-life cast of characters are fascinating to read about. How much of this really happened? Who knows and who cares because it is a good read either way. How effective are the pickup techniques? I'm no pickup artist, but things like "negging" and "peacocking" do work in the right situations.

Outstanding, quick read. Lots of laughs and insight. Well Done Neil. Wish there was more about Mystery.

I thought the book was fairly interesting. However, you do start to see how pathetic these guys are pretty quickly. Basically they are huge nerds who learn an artifical way to do what normal guys do naturally, confidently talk to a women. There is nothing wrong with working on a weakness and I admire their dedication to try to improve on an area of their lives that they are struggling with but instead of really trying to improve themselves a lot of it is just shortcuts and gimmicks. It is kind of like guys who try to live beyond their means to attract attention/girls by driving cars and buying houses they really cant afford. They are working really hard to try to pull off an illusion of sorts for a short period of time but in the long run none of us can escape from who we really are.

I strongly recommend it to those guys who mistakenly think they cannot have any woman they want. Neil is a true example of it. While reading it, pay attention to his personality; that's the strongest card he plays and the only one that really matters after all.

I am giving this book three stars for entertainment purposes only.This book is definitely entertaining but reads like a fiction. Do not use the author's approaches to meet quality women. In this book he generally meets bimbos and women who are looking for a one night stands.

If you want a quality, respectful woman, using auther's approaches you will fail terribly. To meet a woman among other things you need to be articulate, respectful, charismatic, clean cut and use some common sense.

As long as you execute those judgements you will be as successful as this writer in meeting quality women.

This is a worthwhile book but I've recently found that Dr. Z on Scoring by Dr Victoria Zdrok is a superior book on this subject. If you're really serious about discovering the intricacies of dating and wanting to pick-up that women who you've always thought was unapproachable then Dr Z on Scoring it the book to read. Her book is grounded in evolutionary psychology research and gives plenty of information on how to obtain your objective, getting the woman of your dreams. Dr Z interviewed numerous beautiful women for this book to determine just what they look for in a man therefore the research and conclusions are based on facts. Check out Dr Z on Scoring: How to Pick Up, Seduce and Hook Up with Hot Women, it'll be the only book you'll really need for finding that special someone.

This is a worthwhile book but I've recently found that Dr. Z on Scoring by Dr Victoria Zdrok is a superior book on this subject. If you're really serious about discovering the intricacies of dating and wanting to pick-up that women who you've always thought was unapproachable then Dr Z on Scoring it the book to read. Her book is grounded in evolutionary psychology research and gives plenty of information on how to obtain your objective, getting the woman of your dreams. Dr Z interviewed numerous beautiful women for this book to determine just what they look for in a man therefore the research and conclusions are based on facts. Check out Dr Z on Scoring: How to Pick Up, Seduce and Hook Up with Hot Women, it'll be the only book you'll really need for finding that special someone.

If you go to youtube, you can see a television series done on Mystery (The Pickup Artist) which shows the complete transformation of men into pretty successful pick up artists. And that's with a fairly quick program. Another fairly quick program also on youtube details another PUA, this one hosted by a British TV network. The results were also dramatic.

One posted mentioned the "ghost towns" of forums out there. Anyone who has been around the web knows there are many, many blank forums out there in every subject. The website I go to for PU info is so popular (thousands of users) that there's even a section for women - AND a section for those in relationships. People respond to threads in an hour - usually less. And the reason I go is not to pick up women, it's to learn social skills that these men have so carefully perfected over time and to improve as a person. Many of the missions they prescribe - such as those intended to overcome shyness or social anxiety - are applicable to anyone.

Many of the reviewers here have said that this is only applicable to socially awkward geeks. I personally have never had social issues, nor have I ever (since the age of 16) even been single. My entire reason for looking into the community was because I wanted to stop settling for what was easy in life, to improve as a person, to be more interesting and to be a better conversationalist. But, even as a woman, I have never purchased a product from these PUA I didn't think was worthwhile and had direct, measurable impact on my life - and I have products from pretty much every one, including relatively unknown ones that cater to women. My life and my maturity level have changed dramatically. The art forces you to overcome your fears, build a life, and grow. As a direct result of reading these materials, I have become more confident, more mature, more interesting, have a far more interesting life, have more fun socially, and feel like a new person.

People doubt that the things in this book could happen. I can say with absolute certainty that they do. I don't say the following to brag - especially because is simply an illustration of what pretty much anyone can do, if they try. I did it just by reading material, playing around with a couple concepts, letting the teaching speak to me and doing some honest soul-searching to grow in maturity and social intelligence. Within just a few months, I cannot tell you how disorienting it was for me to start out as the normal, all-American "cute" (avoiding conflict) and fun girl who was used to being pursued by a single boyfriend and move to the powerful girl who, without trying, had more guys asking her out than she could fit into a week - far more than she wanted - was the center of social circles, and was subject to pretty harsh jealous behavior from women. It was a shock - in some ways more than I was prepared for.

Just from my own experience, the obvious merit in the materials (who wouldn't be more attracted to a guy if he actually had something interesting going on in his life?), and the PUAs I have talked to, I have absolutely no trouble believing anything in this book. Perhaps some of the men reading it doubt it because they fail to see how difficult it is for women to find interesting men, men who inspire passion. Having seen Mystery at work, I can easily say he does that. While I personally do not like sleeping around, I do know many women that, when exposed to someone like Mystery, would be interested in doing whatever he asked them to do. These PUA, at essence, have learned to develop himself to the point where he has an interesting life, doesn't feel the need to seek validation, knows what women want and crave - and therefore he IS interesting, he is not trying to impress her and seek validation, but instead knows how to seduce her the way she wants to be seduced. I know many men who I wish had a quarter of the skill of some of the PUA out there and who could dramatically improve their love lives with a couple of small steps = if they were actually brave enough to try. Of course the art can be learned. And yes, there are pigs out there - I've seen many on the forums. But with the dedication of these men, the way they go out time and again, trying new things and seeing what works, learning from men who have dedicated years to perfecting it (and who would keep going after a year unless they were making progress), how could they not succeed? Answer: they do.

I realize that, to a certain degree, Style was writing a story. He wanted, if anything, to make the community look bad, and here I am praising it. It's abundantly clear by the way he makes the ending super-sweet. The truth is, I know there's a dark side, but there is a side that transforms people in a way that doesn't make a good story - so, in that sense, you can doubt the story. Still, even if things are embellished or written to "wrap-up" nicely, I don't doubt the validity of the book, and can tell you that many in the "community" were furious that Style was "releasing the secrets".

I bought this book after hearing numerous positive reviews. However, now that I look back, this book had little to do with actually helping my "game". You learn a few new volcabulary words, and have a few "Aha..!" moments, but nothing I found particularly useful in my situations. It gives an overall synopsis of what must be done, but no wisdom to guide it. In fact, I found it a bit insulting and slightly misleading. It SAYS penetrating the secrets, and shows his journey to become what he is now, but the book contains very few of those secrets. Kind of like a Magician Guide, which says you have to be quick, smooth, and charming, yet doesn't reveal the gimick of the trick. Sorta wish I spent my money on something that actually gives me facts and causes (like Carlos Xuma explains...which, BTW, I am skeptical of his book as well).

If anything, this book is fascinating. I couldn't put it down. It's like a seedy gothic novel! If you are interested in social dynamics, dating advice, and just a good LA tale, this book is well worth your time. It is well-written, interesting, and a bit disturbing. But as a whole, it does not take itself too seriously, and the author does an excellent job in showcasing his storytelling and narrative skills. The Courtney Love appearances alone are worth the price of the book; halfway through it, I found myself wanting to hear more about her than the would-be Casanovas.

Now for my analysis of "The Game." If you ever wondered what happened to all the freaks and geeks from high school who could never get a girl to kiss them let alone sleep with them, this book will answer that question.

With crazy nom de guerres like Mystery, Twotimer and Grimble, these nerds turned ladies men descend on unsuspecting females at trendy, urban night clubs like a horde of social vampires. Their prize is not blood, but the elusive booty calls that they've craved for their whole lives.

This particular peek into the world of the self-described pick up artist (PUA) is told from the perspective of one of the Seduction Community's most prominent members, who also happens to be the author. The adventures of Neil Strauss (a.k.a. Style) and his trusty mentor / wingman Mystery are chronicled in merciless and graphic detail. Mr. Strauss gives a highly personal and candid account of how the lonely and introverted author Neil transforms himself, with the help of Mystery, into the gregarious and outrageously charming PUA Style.

Despite their antics and the inherent emptiness of their chosen field of endeavor, I have to admit that there is something lovable about these PUAs--much like the sympathy you feel for the pimps in the Hughes brothers' documentary "American Pimp."

You can't help being captivated by various adventures of Style and his minions, ranging from the Sunset Strip to far-flung places like the former Yugoslavia. Each PUA seminar, in-field workshop, and night out on the town offers with it a healthy dose of sex, drugs and drama. These stories are the ones that stars tell, not onetime nerds. But, these guys have them, and as the author states at the beginning of the book, they are all real.

Despite the juicy tidbits and taboo subject matter, the many vectors of the PUAs in the book and the two main vectors of Style and Mystery also tell a cautionary tale. Namely, happiness can never be found outside of one's heart. To share happiness with others, one must first find happiness within, which means accepting who you are, faults and all, and being grateful to be alive.

It's for this reason I can only give this book four stars. Although Mr. Strauss appears to come to a variation of this conclusion by the end of the book, I'm still not convinced that the PUA world offers a healthy vehicle for self-improvement. Sure: Style became a cool and probably a bit of a healthier person, but at what cost?

Make no doubt that the women chronicled in this story are by no means hapless victims. Granted, some are young and naïve, but most are willing accomplices. What's more bothersome is that some of the men who live the PUA lifestyle believe that learned routines, fashion-sense, and social fakery can replace good old fashion soul searching.

I'm happy that the Seduction Community helped Mr. Strauss in this regard, but I have the sneaking suspicion that there are many more lost souls out there looking for answers in the PUA sub-culture that it can never give them.

The darker side of the Seduction Community is not a pretty place. The lost souls are one thing, but the power hungry and megalomaniacal opportunists like Papa and Tyler Durden are ubiquitous and far more insidious. People like them will continue to lurk about sub-cultures such as this one to take advantage of vulnerable people. In every sense of the word, they truly are social predators.

To these corrupt and unforgiving souls, I can only say that manipulating others is not a game. No person is a means to your end. As the PUA Ross Jeffries is quoted to have said in the book, "leave them better than you found them." Ethics, morality and truth are not games; they are what make us uniquely human, and are the keys to personal happiness. To loosely paraphrase the Beetles, money and girls can't buy me love.

A real page turner - fascinating and informative. It reads like a novel you can't put down. Strauss reminds me of Siddhartha as he goes through such sexual excess, and then comes to some interesting realizations. I think men and women both would enjoy this book.

"The Game" is a story about how the author, writer Neil Strauss, goes from being a geek to a total ladies man. What makes this book so absorbing is that he doesn't inherit wealth or success that gives him his new identity; he learns a skill set that enables him to meet and date beautiful women. Any man can learn the skills that he did and use them with success, and Neil studies day and night to become "Style," the world's greatest pickup artists. From his own unique point of view, he takes the reader from his humble and nervous beginnings to the height of his success. He also includes, as his zany cast of characters, many prominent players in the underground world of seduction, like Ross Jeffries, David DeAngelo, Tyler Durden, Herbal T, and of course, the king of them all, Mystery.

The most absorbing part of this story comes when Neil chronicles the formation of Project Hollywood, the Studio 54 of seduction. Within the walls of that mansion, the top Pickup Artists gather to live and learn their craft. What happens during that period of time will have you shocked, intrigued, and engaged throughout.

All good things must come to an end, however, and our protagonist Neil discovers that while the Pickup Arts teaches a man how to catch a woman, it won't teach a man how to make her stay. A Pickup Artist is not necessarily a Keep-up Artist. Neil completes his journey full-circle, and comes out a more improved man as a result.

Neil Strauss is not a remarkable writer, and yet this book is hard to put down. The story drives the action more than Neil's writing style, but you can't help but wish Neil well as he moves forward in his social quest for the kind of confidence that everyone wants. I found his descriptions of the other characters to be quite imaginative. In particular, the way he describes Mystery makes him seem the most annoyingly likable and near tragic guy on the planet.

They say truth is stranger than fiction, and "The Game" is one of the stories that prove it. If you can get past some of the rather mature material, then this is a very entertaining read.

I just finished reading this and all I can say is, WOW! Now, I know I'm no literary expert or anything, but I felt Neil's writing style was very relaxed and fun. Which, to me, makes it more interesting and enjoyable to read. The story has to be one of the most amazing transformations ever documented. He goes from AFC to World's Greatest in about a year. I hear and read often about guys that are getting into pickup saying that they first found out about it in this book, and I have to add my two cents to that and say the same thing. I was told about this book by a couple friends of mine, and new I just had to check this book out. I'm so glad I did.

Don't think you're going to learn to be a pickup artist by reading this. This is something else. True, there are bits of information that the emotionally crippled may need to hear, but even the author says its more important to develop your own personality instead of looking for someone like Mystery to give you scripts. If you need that, look elsewhere.

This is a story, wonderfully told by Neil Strauss, of his own journey into the secret society of nerds who figured out what to say and do in a woman's presence to make her want you. It's a journey of self-discovery. It tells how all the skills, all the Game he could muster wasn't enough to have a genuine connection with the woman he was in love with. There's a message in there, fellas.

Don't get me wrong, sleeping around can be fun, but if it's all you have, it's pretty unfulfilling.