The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

"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."
~ Written on 2008-06-27

"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."
~ Written on 2008-06-27

"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!"
~ Written on 2008-05-30

"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."
~ Written on 2008-05-29

"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."
~ Written on 2008-05-22