Rules of the Game

This may be a stretch, but I think it safe to say that The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists by Neil Strauss is one of the most talked about and popular books among men in our generation. I read "The Game" (years ago) and found it hilarious, intriguing, inspiring, and useful all at the same time. I had no idea that "Rules of the Game" existed until a friend told me about it a few weeks ago. Given how great I thought the original book was I had to go out and buy the book. I really like this book. It feels like a cross between a pick-up artist book and a lifestyle change book (leaning much more towards lifestyle change). The book is divided into three areas: The Stylelife Challenge, The Routines Collection, and the Style Diaries. The Stylelife Challenge is a 30 day challenge to help people not just to pick up girls, but improve their lives (especially social lives) in general. Some topics include: Grooming, openers, conversation, getting a number, setting up gatherings, and more. To "win" the challenge you need to get a date. Not have sex, just get a date. I think the challenge has some pretty interesting ideas (one of them is for men to read a "Cosmopolitan" magazine from cover to cover to help get a woman's perspective on men). Although I don't think that some of the events are necessary I do think that the vast majority of them will help anyone socially and are beneficial. Overall I think the Stylelife Challenge has some EXCELLENT strategies that any man who is having trouble with women should read. I have already implemented some of them and have seen some great results. If anyone has read "The Game" they will remember Neil constantly talking about "material." Well, the Routines Collection is some of that material. Various openers, value demonstrations, games, and more are described in great detail. These routines are a great way to engage women (and sometimes groups in general) and keep conversations fresh and interesting. Finally, there are the Style Diaries. You can basically look at this as "The Misadventures of Neil Strauss." They are random stories from his journals. His writing style is still like it was in "The Game," so it is hilarious and graphic, but it does not feel like a sequel and is not nearly as long has "The Game" (The Style Diaries is only a little less than 100 pages vs. The Game's 452 pages). However, it is still definitely entertaining stuff that is worth a read. I've seen some reviewers knock a few stars off because they felt the book was not made for shy people and therefore has no merit. I have to disagree with this (I used to by crazy shy for YEARS). The point of the book is continuous progress. You can't break out of your shyness without at least trying to progress and he has some great exercises to address this problem. While he does not use the word "shy" I feel he implies that he does write from an understanding that most people reading the book are shy. If you are "painfully shy" it may help to read this book first: From Shy To Social: The Shy Man's Guide to Personal & Dating Success in conjunction with other small talk books to help build your social skills. Overall I think this is an excellent book. While the book is made for what he calls "the hardest cases" it is easy to understand how to implement his strategies and know when to scale them accordingly. There are A LOT of useful strategies and tips not just to help men with women, but to live their lives in a more positive way in general. I highly recommend this book not just for men who have problems with women, but for men in general.

This is the first review I've ever been motivated to write. If I had gotten to read this and The Game 17 years ago at age 14, my life would have taken a more positive route. I would say up until last May, I was in the VBAFC category (very below average frustrated chump). I won't go into too many details of my life, but I suffer from a nasty biological illness known as Borderline Personality Disorder. Up until last May when I was diagnosed I never had any idea of what was holding me back. When I looked into dating books along with the dialectical behavior therapy stuff I came across The Game, which told me what truly is possible. This book, told me HOW to make that possible. I came face to face with my own worst enemy and learned how to attack my anxiety and depression at its root source. The exercises helped combat my social anxiety, while the write-ups in the briefings helped me master my inner game. In barely 2 months, I turned everything around...and blew everyone away at the complete 180. This book recommended Intro to NLP and Mastering Your Hidden Self that took my improvements even further. I have this book on my nightstand and have all of the briefing articles and read at least 4 of them daily. If one applies themselves, they can change their way of thinking and their reality. Because of my "disorder" I considered myself probably in the worst case scenario category. While none of this was marketed as medical advice, it changed everything. I now feel I've made a complete recovery and I look forward to every opportunity I go somewhere I can potentially meet women. This book will only help you if you WANT to change and are willing, able and ready to APPLY what you learn. I've recommended this book as well as david deangelos video seminars to my AFC friends. While some of them chose to remain AFCs, the ones who took my advice made 180s themselves. I can't think of a reason not to recommend this book. Again, this is something I wish I had much earlier. But since I barely turned 30, I know that my 30s are going to be one kick ass decade. :) Thanks Neil

Not as much fun to read as the game, but this one continuously puts you outside of your comfort zone, and if you actually obey everything he says, and complete all of the missions, you most certainly will become better with women. The system this book follows is truly groundbreaking. It may sound weird, but you see a girl you'd like to approach, following this system truly gives you the highest possible chance of actually getting somewhere with said girl. After not that long, you'll atleast be able to be friends with any woman you want, then again, I'm only on about day 10 out of 30 so I've only worked the beginning parts of the game, but i must say, this system will help the dorkiest fattest dude, or anyone else! long as you got the balls to follow through.

Everything says it’s so logical you know he’s saying the truth… if you’ve never gotten women, it totally makes sense why that is after you read this book… i’ve already mastered one of his teachings and my life’s going to be totally different from now on…

The pick up artist's methodology seems like a prescription for inauthentic behavior certain to attract precisely the wrong love interest -- but if you don't mind playing games with people's feelings and just want to get laid, this book is a fine starting point.

In the movie Ground Hog Day, Bill Murray cannot seduce the woman of his dreams until he eventually just forgets the woman and works on creating a better Bill Murray. The best way to attract is to actually be attractive. Strauss teaches that being attractive deals with who you are and what you are doing on the planet (not just with your attire and body shape). Surprisingly, much of the point of one of these two books is simply about how to create a better self (not so much about crazy sexual adventure). Here you will find a step-by-step improvement plan that includes details of grooming, presence, speech, goal development, and social interactions. It can be a handicapp to be honest and loving but be seen as cold and manipulative. Seduction techniques can actually help an honest person avoid being misinterpreted. If you are already successful in the social and business world, most of this will be review. But, you may find a few blind spots if you breeze through the plan. Though the game of seduction can be cruel and manipulative and used for ill means. Like any powerful tool, it can be used for good as well. In the best use, seduction means being deliciously attractive in who you are and what you are about. Christ was seductive in this sense; attractive in love and power to the point that people were happier for giving up everything to follow him around. I have a 16-year-old son. The 30 day plan offers him good starting strategies for developing social and business skill. But, the detailed advice should be valuable for most men and women of any age. Charles Runels, MD

I purchased set for a close friend who had suffered a major heartbreak when a 5 year relationship ended with her running off with their child to go live (halfway around the world) with the man she had been seeing for a few months. Needless to say his confidence was nonexistent, he didn't want to go out, he was depressed, but didn't want to be alone. I gave him this book and he didn't read it. He gave me a look like "come on man...really?" Flash forward a few months. I get a call asking me what movies are playing at the theater, I recognized the voice and asked him what he was doing and he said, "I finally started reading the book and I'm following the advice in the book. I called a number and asked the female who picked up about movies and now I have a date tomorrow night. This book is amazing." It's been over a year now. His confidence is back up, he's more approachable, he's dating again, and most importantly he's happy. This book helped my friend get back on track and gave him the strength to boost his confidence himself. I didn't have to hold his hand and force him into interacting, because Stlye's approach is more effective. Think what you like about Pick Up and Pick Up Artists, but the principles that guide them are the same foundations that support us in our daily interactions. The fact is: You are somebody and you can make a difference. YOU just have to believe it.

I first read the game when I heard of a friend talking about it. I tell you what it was a comical book it was hilarious. What made it even more entertaining is being a hypnotist and seeing waking hypnosis in play, fantastic! This one though. WHAT HAPPENED! This is for a loser who is social incompetent. The author tried to turn it into a self help thing. I read about 5 pages and through it out! What a waste! Look no offense to the guys out there that have trouble talking to women or have trouble picking up, but it all has to do with your communications skills to your self and certainty when it comes to picking up. If you were CERTAIN that when spoke to a girl that she liked you, I'm telling they will like you. You don't have to use gimmicks and steps that are given in these two books.

Libro eccezionale per chiunque desideri sfondare nel mondo della seduzione femminile. Ogni capitolo e' suddiviso in missioni ben precise. AVVERTENZA: Non saltate a meta' o alla fine del libro! Perdereste preziosi rudimenti per concludere con successo il processo di seduzione ... Libro semplicemente perfetto e utilissimo!

This challenge really gets you out there and tests how you can talk to people without knowing them I enjoyed reading this book. Neil Strauss is a great author and filling in the book made me more in tune with what I want 10/10 would recommend.

この本と出会えて 人生が変わりました。 外人女性との友達が凄く増えたことです。 英会話能力も絶対にアップします。 ハードカバー版よりも、ペーパーバックの方が付録部分（実施例）が多くお得です。

Good book

awesome, thank you, its worth the read