book data
1081 ratings, 3.72 average rating, 268 reviews
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published
September 1st 2005
by Regan Books
binding
Leather Bound, 464 pages
isbn
0060554738
(isbn13: 9780060554736)
description
Are you just another AFC ("average frustrated chump") trying to meet an HB ("hot babe")? How would you like to "full-close&qu...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1433)
Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
those (men) who chase phantoms instead of dreams.
I know I'm taking a risk by even acknowledging its existence and my familiarity with its contents. It may not be interpreted kindly that an Orthodox rabbi (in training) reads *this* widely. But this book tells a story of ethical tension that is, hands down, the most powerful treatise on morals and group dynamics I have ever read. Period.
I found it at once the modern man's sefer mussar of choice, and the endgame of every single Reality TV show every made. But it is not for everyone.
...more
I found it at once the modern man's sefer mussar of choice, and the endgame of every single Reality TV show every made. But it is not for everyone.
...more
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Read in October, 2007
I have a habit of thinking I understand guys. I have three younger brothers and no sisters, and I've read a lot of comic books. I was telling Chance, Evan and Adriel about teratomas on Friday and they were really grossed out; I assume that guys don't tiptoe around me out of deference to my delicacy. But I think that assumption is a mistake.
Back when I used to read Rolling Stone, I used to read Neil Strauss. He seemed (see Chuck Closterman) more enamored with the concept of stardom than I...more
Back when I used to read Rolling Stone, I used to read Neil Strauss. He seemed (see Chuck Closterman) more enamored with the concept of stardom than I...more
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4 comments
Read in September, 2007
Although well-written, this book is appalling and sad. Ultimately this peek into "the secret society of pickup artists" is not as enlightening as the cover art, book jacket and title would like us to think. And I can't help but feel a writerly disappointment in Neil Strauss for having embraced something that brazenly revels in its own misogyny.
Don't be fooled; Mystery--who is a classic example of what happens when one is deprived of love and validation as a child-- tries to spin hi...more
Don't be fooled; Mystery--who is a classic example of what happens when one is deprived of love and validation as a child-- tries to spin hi...more
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Read in January, 2007
For a book that targets (and caters very well to) young males, "The Game" truly belongs in the hands of a twenty-something cynic.
Parts of the story read like a self-help book, which was very funny in and of itself. But what I found to be interesting (on some level, perhaps) was that Strauss has taken his version of "rags-to-riches" and turned it into colorful, sexual, hopeful prose that reveals a protagonist traveling down a highway of mayhem to a destination of confusion....more
Parts of the story read like a self-help book, which was very funny in and of itself. But what I found to be interesting (on some level, perhaps) was that Strauss has taken his version of "rags-to-riches" and turned it into colorful, sexual, hopeful prose that reveals a protagonist traveling down a highway of mayhem to a destination of confusion....more
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Debbie by:
Elizabeth
This is a surprisingly good book that I would never have read if it hadn't been strongly recommended by a friend who was reading it and was totally fascinated by the gender politics. The author, Neil Strauss, has ghost written some celebrity memoirs, and writes for Rolling Stone and the New York Times. In other words, this man can write. The thing that makes this book so interesting is the author's running monologue about gender, specifically masculinity and the ways that boys and men are taugh...more
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Read in April, 2008
I spent the first 100 pages utterly confused. Was the point of The Game to meet lots of girls, get a girlfriend, or just have lots of sex? One wannabe-PUA crows about losing his virginity - it's a horrible, painful experience which he can't wait to end. But afterwards, he says that he's excited because this will take the pressure off, and allow him to approach more women, presumably to have even more painful, awful sex with women he doesn't like.
After a few hundred pages I realised that The Ga...more
After a few hundred pages I realised that The Ga...more
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Read in January, 2008
With a subtitle like “Penetrating The Secret Society of Pickup Artists,” I was expecting more of a how-to or an expose. Luckily I was wrong.
Strauss’ The Game is a fascinating look at an American subculture’s moment in time. It is a captivating story that rivals Hell’s Angels and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test in its engrossing tale of American hubris, endeavor, success, and failure.
The book itself is beautiful, packaged like a bible with gold embossing and a red ribbon bookmark. B...more
Strauss’ The Game is a fascinating look at an American subculture’s moment in time. It is a captivating story that rivals Hell’s Angels and The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test in its engrossing tale of American hubris, endeavor, success, and failure.
The book itself is beautiful, packaged like a bible with gold embossing and a red ribbon bookmark. B...more
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Read in August, 2007
This book is primarily about this dude Mystery, who is the host of a VH1 show The Pickup Artist, where he shows really socially inept guys how to pick up girls. This is the FUNNIEST BOOK in the history of mankind. If you are a computer geek of any kind, you will die laughing while reading this book.
Mystery is a young computer nerd living with his parents in Toronto. He spends all day online posting to message boards about how he is awesome picking up girls, but when he's not posting onlin...more
Mystery is a young computer nerd living with his parents in Toronto. He spends all day online posting to message boards about how he is awesome picking up girls, but when he's not posting onlin...more
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A very interesting read. I couldn't believe that there are people who actually dedicate a significant portion of their lives to the art of picking up women. I have never read anything like this before.
It shows that a little self confidence and some clever (however manipulative) maneuvering can go a long way. The writer Neil Strauss and his story about how he turned from nerd to stud is interesting.
There were many parts that shocked me. Mostly the parts that involved blatant manipulat...more
It shows that a little self confidence and some clever (however manipulative) maneuvering can go a long way. The writer Neil Strauss and his story about how he turned from nerd to stud is interesting.
There were many parts that shocked me. Mostly the parts that involved blatant manipulat...more
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This was an easy and mindless train/tube read, but I had to keep the book flat on my lap to hide the title after I saw a few women rolling their eyes. Since I've moved to London I've noticed that I'm not the only one who likes to take a sneak peek at what others are reading and then give them a meaningful look.
So, here’s Neil Strauss’s story as he claims. He had written books and articles about rock stars and porn stars. He had access to a lot of backstage parties and glamorous Hollywoo...more
So, here’s Neil Strauss’s story as he claims. He had written books and articles about rock stars and porn stars. He had access to a lot of backstage parties and glamorous Hollywoo...more
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hmmm dangerous territory writing about this book. I mean basically what I learned was things I sort of knew and learned the hard way about meeting girls. There are some really funny things and some really annoying things to the pickup artist lifestyle. The long and short of it being know who you are and embrace that fully.There are tricks and gimmicks but anything worth having comes from be yourself . Definitely entertaining, but a bit overkill for me personally, would of been happy with this bo...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
—
Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
women
I am in the process of still reading this as well, however it is hilariously funny at how I believe many men interpret the art of dating or is it getting some that is more important. It is a great tool for women to understand the dirty mind of a man and what they are really thinking. And hopefully be able to not fall for their game!!
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Read in May, 2007
What I learned from this book...is that I've fallen for way too many bad pick-up lines and that sadly some of the things in "The Game" actually work! Its not so much a strtegy for the pick-up but more a novel about Neil Strauss's life among the pick-up artists. AND the COurtney Love references in this book where hilarious...juice day...
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Read in November, 2008
recommended to Jenny by:
Pete's book club
Oh wow, hard to say if I'm horrified or fascinated or what. I guess some of both. Good thing I'm reading this for book club cuz I can't wait to discuss. I can't believe this is for real. And then what I'm wondering is, what are girls supposed to do? Just sit there and look pretty? Hmm. But here's some quotes I liked:
"In life, people tend to wait for good things to come to them. And by waiting, they miss out. Usually, what you wish for doesn't fall in your lap; it falls somewher...more
"In life, people tend to wait for good things to come to them. And by waiting, they miss out. Usually, what you wish for doesn't fall in your lap; it falls somewher...more
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
horndogs
funny book, good for a laugh, thats it. Well written, and very easy to "grasp."
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Read in January, 2007
This book was fucking terrible. I'm ashamed to have read it.
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Read in August, 2007
I read this fabulous book about 6-months before it exploded on the pop-culture scene. As an aging hipster, I like to brag about how I was there before the rest of the pack.
Personal scenester issues aside, the books starts out tailored towards men. It introduced the lead character, Neil Strauss, who is well, just an "average frustrated chump" due to his below average physical appearance and low self-esteem. It then introduces a gang of pick up artists who supposedly have lots and lo...more
Personal scenester issues aside, the books starts out tailored towards men. It introduced the lead character, Neil Strauss, who is well, just an "average frustrated chump" due to his below average physical appearance and low self-esteem. It then introduces a gang of pick up artists who supposedly have lots and lo...more
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I loved this book. I even loved it for the right reasons.
The author is a short bald writer for the Rolling Stone when he realizes that despite his uber-cool job he can never seem to meet women. So, he joins an online community where guys share tips on how to approach and bed women. Eventually he meets a guru of "pick up artists" and essentially moves in with him.
The author's life changes. Women are suddenly available to him through the use of several practiced routines: "...more
The author is a short bald writer for the Rolling Stone when he realizes that despite his uber-cool job he can never seem to meet women. So, he joins an online community where guys share tips on how to approach and bed women. Eventually he meets a guru of "pick up artists" and essentially moves in with him.
The author's life changes. Women are suddenly available to him through the use of several practiced routines: "...more
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So, I finally caved. I'd been hovering around this book for months everytime I went to the bookstore before I finally shelled out and bought it. It couldn't be helped I suppose since whenever I perused it on the shelves I couldn't help being amused. The whole read did not disappoint either.
When I got busted reading this thing on the train by one of my female coworkers she asked, "what's this" and I told her, "umm, it's like a fairy tale for men." Mostly true. It's t...more
When I got busted reading this thing on the train by one of my female coworkers she asked, "what's this" and I told her, "umm, it's like a fairy tale for men." Mostly true. It's t...more
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Yes, I'm female and No, I didn't read this to learn "pick-up" tricks! I heard about this New York Times bestseller a couple months ago from a girlfriend of mine in LA, I was intrigued enough to pick it up. Once I started reading I could not put it down! It is 400+ pages and it's an absolute page turner (in my opinion). It is very easy to read. I read the whole book in one weekend.
Strauss exposes an interesting, often sad world of how easily everyone (men and women) can be manipulat...more
Strauss exposes an interesting, often sad world of how easily everyone (men and women) can be manipulat...more
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