The Game: Undercover in the Secret Society of Pickup Artists - Softcover

Strauss, Neil

3.73

30,765 ratings by Goodreads

9781847672377: The Game: Undercover in the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184767237X ISBN 13: 9781847672377

Publisher: Canongate Books, 2007

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"The funniest book I have read this year." Tony Parsons

The Game recounts the incredible adventures of an everyday man who transforms himself from a shy, awkward writer into the quick-witted, smooth-talking Style, a character irresistible to women.

But just when life is better than he could have ever dreamed (he uses his techniques on Britney Spears, receives life coaching from Tom Cruise, moves into a mansion with Courtney Love and is officially voted the World's Number One Pickup Artist) he falls head over heels for a woman who can beat him at his own game.

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Review:

Is it for real? Is The Game by Neill Strauss an assiduously detailed, highly entertaining expos� of a fascinating secret society -- the international community of pickup artists who have refined their talents for getting women into bed to the nth degree? Or is it an extremely funny hoax? Early drafts of the book had people wondering, and men in particular speculated if the book would deliver some valuable how to tips as an aid to entering a sexual wonderland. In fact, it doesn't really matter whether you take the basic premise seriously or not: Strauss wonderfully diverting book delivers great entertainment whatever your point of view.

According to Strauss, the clandestine society of men he describes here take wagers in clubs and bars throughout the Western world over just who can chalk up the most Casanova-like quantities of pickups and seductions. But this isn't merely for the thrill of an army of sexual conquests -- all of this is coded and organised according to an almost military-style ritual, with an elaborate series of rules and regulations that the participants rigorously follow. Strauss went undercover in this glamorous world, and learned the secrets of these top-drawer seducers. But, for him, there was a useful corollary affect: Strauss found himself transformed from a nerdish, unconfident journalist into a silver-tongued Lothario, quite the equal of many of the ladykilling males he had been enjoying the company of. For him, the ultimate accolade was being noted The World's Number One Pickup Artist -- and then he made the mistake of setting his sights on a woman who could give every bit as good as she got.

The world of excess presented here is not one most of us move in, but (if the truth were told) it has its irresistible attractions. Strauss wheels in such celebrities as Tom Cruise and Courtney Love, and this unblushing peek into a secret world where sex and seduction are treated with cool scientific detachment is mesmerisingly readable. --Barry Forshaw

Review:

"Loving it!" (Elle Magazine)

"

A narrative of daredevil sexuality.

" (Guardian)

"Touching and witty." (Time Out)

"The funniest book I have read this year" (Tony Parsons)

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