Penetrating Neil Strauss: a Review

Any time a secret society suddenly becomes un-secret - or is, more aptly, penetrated - there is always a mixed reaction to a world that is in equal parts intriguing and pathetic. The society of pick-up artists revealed by Neil Strauss' The Game is no different. It is a world in which AFCs (Average Frustrated Chumps) work for IOIs (Indicators Of Interest) while neutralizing AMOGs (the Alpha Male Of the Group). But buried among the acronyms and exploits of the pick-up community are some valuable insights.

These days, any best-selling novel needs to have three main qualities: 1) compelling characters, 2) a gripping plotline, and 3) the ability to be instantly transformed into a Hollywood film. The Game satisfies all three. What's more, because it's a work of non-fiction, it has that same grotesque allure of a reality TV show.

As for compelling characters, who could forget the obscene yet somehow endearing field report filed by Extramask, the fledgling pick-up artist, following his very first sexual experience? In it, he records his disillusionment in lurid detail, at one point realizing that he was getting no feeling and just pumping away like a tool (71).

As for a gripping plotline, the book details the experience of Strauss as he immerses himself in a full-time community of pick-up artists ultimately to find he has become not only one of them, but the best of them - reinvented as Style. It deftly begins with the Project Hollywood mansion, the collective headquarters of the L.A. pick-up artists, in shambles, its tenants either crying or hiding or picking up the pieces - forcing the reader to ask, How did it all come to this? And read on.

The ascent, descent, and ultimate realization of Style is also well-presented and well-paced. Indeed, after turning his back on the community and committing himself to his rock star girlfriend, our hero concludes with the realization that [b]eing together has required a lot more time and work than learning to pick up women ever did, but it has brought me far more satisfaction and joy. Perhaps that's because it's not a game (452).

(And as for film-fodder, one reviewer has already pegged Jack Black and Kate Hudson for the leading roles).

There are a few common criticisms of the book, but none that are all too convincing. For example, it has been said that it promotes a twisted subculture, one that will prey upon confused, adolescent males. This is kind of like how playing violent video games will turn us into serial killers, or how in the 1950s rock and roll music made everyone devil-worshippers. Sure, there will be a few to get so seduced by the idea of a full-blown seduction community that they'll sell their nice-guy souls. But let's give the rest of them a bit more credit.

In addition, it has been said (by some women readers) that the book makes women the enemy. It doesn't. It's far too intelligent and self-conscious of a work to victimize an entire gender - no less the one it is at great pains to understand. If anything, it is all too revealing of the fragile and desperate and pitiful male ego.

If you appreciate a deft literary hand that can mix the perfect cocktail of tragic and comic and let you knock back a damn good story, you will appreciate this book. And if you prefer true stories, you're also in luck.

But perhaps what makes it a truly accomplished work is the fact that while it will inevitably be adopted as a textbook for armies of under-sexed males, it still carries a certain wisdom with regard to social dynamics in general.

For example, upon realizing that women will tolerate his 'occupation' of pick-up artist and the community that supports him, but not for very long, Style finds that:

All the techniques that are so effective in beginning a relationship violate every principle necessary to maintaining one (242).

It's a compelling statement regarding close encounters of the male-female kind. When it comes to relationships, making them is a much different story to maintaining them, which might be an art form that is much more difficult to quantify and catalogue.

Isaac Blume (aka the Bald Skeptic) is a social critic and relationships columnist who contributes regularly to the 000Relationships Network. For more artcles on The Game, and attraction in general, see: http://www.000relationships.com/towomen/articles.phpFishing Minnesota Northern Resort
Cars 4 Causes
Keystone Rvs And Travel Trailer
Ass Baseball Bat In
Create Icon Myspace Online
Bag Racquet Tennis
Concrete Garden Sculpture
Writing Press Release
Soccer Am Video
06 2005 Hockey League National Nhl Official Official Rule Rule
Local Business Directory Uk
Halogen Desk Lamp
Christian Hockey Player
1 4 Scale Gas Engine
Flower Pink Roses
Photo Store
La Chaise Baudouin
Atlanta Laser Hair Removal
10 Essential Forex Trading
Football Game Ticket Usc
Cheap Airline Travel Europe
Farmington Public Schools
Camera Digital Hasbro Vcamnow Video
Kt76
12 Dress Shoes Size Womens
J5 Bombardier
Free Heat
Diet Unhealthful Vegetarian
Download Isdn
Cream Ice Maker Small
Used Office Furniture Boston
Life In The 50s
Argentina Clarin Diario El
American Cartoon Civil Political War
Beyond Yoga Clothing
Dating Married Online
Joe Bonanno
Baseball Score Today
Chevelle Vitamin R Download
10 Cologne Man Top
Team Foundation Server
Wps File Converter
Crewed Yacht Charter Turkey
Cheap Air Ticket Usa
Remove Winfixer 2005
Buy Card Gift
05 Mustang Parts
Turquoise Jewelry Wholesale
Aquarium Fish Picture
Ce Franklin
Basketball Guide And Directory
Diego Fishing San Trip
Celebrity Lindsay Lohan Oops
Christmas Tree Shop In Ct
1600 Love Sailing Ship True
0 Card Credit Free Gift
Condominiums South Dakota
Psychics Sc
Air Amor Bag De Verano
Schiff Glucosamine
Automatic Phone Switch
Liquid Crystal Tvs
By Estate Ontario Owner Real Sale
Department Health Kansas State
Community Erickson Resident Retirement
Dance Team Party
English Holidays
Calgary Eve New Party Years
Box Football Monday Night Score
Chili Pepper Soup Recipe
Cosmetic In Online Uk
King Mattress Size Width
Winnipeg Free Press Obituary
Farm Tx
Camera Canon Cord Off Shoes
Arrangement Artificial Flower Silk
Activity Christmas Party
Indoor Shoes Soccer Umbro
50 Central Florida Hike Hike In
Plowing Snow
Buy Villa Spain
Cherry Toy Chest
Approach Depression Integrative Treatment Woman
Day London More Tour Trip
Adidas Shoes For Women
007 Agent Under Fire Cheats
Executive Plan Retirement Supplemental
Business China In Law
Christian Dating Line Single
Tecnologia Customer Relationship Managment
Recipe Rice Vegetarian Wrap
Express Pajamas Party Polar
0 8 Lcd Monitor Tv
Consulting Internet Job Marketing Tech Vancouver
Doctor Office In Houston
Bouquet Cheap Flower Wedding
Trip Com
Mansion Night Club Miami
Gasoline Alley Winchester Va
Hike Montenegro Up
Home Depot Store Paint
0a Care Career Health
Car Magazine Which
0 8 Lcd Monitor Tv
Easton Stealth Baseball Bat
Com Download Mtv Overdrive
Patent A Product
Africa Dogon From In Mali People Timbouctou Tuareg
Sensual Massages Nj
1 Answering Answering General Historical Jesus Jesus Jewish Jewish Objection Objection Objection Vol
00am Baseball Calendar Date Game Jump League Major October Scoreboard
Kt11
Contest Enter Free Poetry
Computer Repair Indianapolis
Depot Hours Office Store
Cosmetic Dentistry In Chicago
Siberia Women
Mitchel Gold
Donna Karan New York Perfume
Career Change Cover Letter Write
Vegetarian Mega Multi Vitamins
1 2 3 Bath Kitchen
Extremely Cheap Gas Scooter
1 Engineering Gas Handbook Natural Petroleum Standard Volume
Celebrity Oops Pic
007 Spy Software Download
Pics Chihuahua
Cd Dvd Wallets With Prosleeve
Coral By The Sea Hotel
Discount Stock Trade
1099 Contractor Form Independent
Collins Jeep
Kate Leather Spade Wallet
Pool Shark Cleaner
360 Xbox Game Release X
Angelo Attorney Divorce San Texas
Camera Cell Phone Rating
Gram Loan Money Payday
Science Teacher Resources
Kt184
Tagalog Karaoke Song
Echogenic Intracardiac Focus
Construction Dallas Home
Musical Instrument
Medieval Food Recipe
Idaho Clairvoyant
Contract Cancellation
Health Individual Insurance Provider Uk
Fmi Power Supply
Longwood Central School District
Melissa Reeves
10 Chicago In Restaurant Top
Consumer Drug Pharmacy Store Store Value
Holiday Greenday
Ringtones For Verizon Wireless
Soho Pbx Phone System
Accounting And Ethics
Cheap Flight To Portugal
Vehicle Recall Ford Truck
10 Card Dish Network Rom
Panama City Beach Resort And Club
Braun Coffee
Grey Heron
Philippine Airline Phone Number
Camp Football Training
Turkey Shoot Out Soccer Tournament
Canadian Links
Association Automobile Inc International
0 Balance Transfer
Rugs Elephant
Free Map Photo Satellite
Ac Autotechnic
Locked In Retirement Account
Yahoo Travel Trip Id
Mesothelioma Research Funding
Free Tv Commercial Script
First Meals
Forced Womanhood
Led T Shirt Zeppelin
Beach Florida In Mexico
Kt89
Churchhill Mortage
Ipod Lcd Screen Repair
1 1 2 Story House Plan
Chapel Elvis In Las Vegas Wedding
Black T Shirt
Oil Stock Prices
Indiana Obituary Warsaw
Uv Light Lamp
Boot Hiking Lightweight Man
Fendi Broadtail Fur Coats
College Student Make Money Online
Condominium Insurance Advice
Custom Golf Shoes
Health Loss Spa Weight
Alaska Insurance Travel
1 5 Gym In Little Tikes
Office Building Lease
Alike Celebrity Look Whos
Chocolate Advent Calendars
Costume Halloween Large Pet
Apartment Florence Ms Rental
Online Buisness
Antioxidant Mineral Vitamin
Corning New York Bed And Breakfast
Mesothelioma Law Mesothelioma Symptoms Mesotheliom
Florida Incorporating
Boot High Leather Thigh Womens
Club Course Golf Golf
Proform Recumbent Exercise Bike
Columbus Heating Contractor
Rope Access
Marriott Hotel New York New York
Minute Score Sports Up
1 2 3 Oder
Baseball Book League Major Rule
For The Love Of Money
05 Calendar And Us Holidays
Aroma Massage Oil Product
Pic Of Flower Bouquet
Bosca Wallets Discounted
Code Depp Johnny Myspace Picture
Oil Rig Roughneck
Creative Soccer Training
Azria Bcbg Bubble Dress Jacquard Max
Online Smoke Shop
Hydraulic Massage Table
04 Beach California Rental Vacation
Kt38
Ice Cream Cone Machine
10 Chicago Restaurant Top
Outlaws Of The Marsh
Waterproof Travel Wallet
Cheap Health Insurance Lead
Guide Hiker New Ski Summit Touring
23rd July
San Marcos Texas Real Estate
Mountain Bike Shocks
Cleveland Club Golf Ta6
Disney Cartoon Comic
Rate Home Equity Line
Optimize Dsl
Equity Membership
Irvine Cosmetic Dentistry
A Guide To Field Identification Bird Of North America
Coach Patchwork Bag
Miami Herald Career Builder
Disney World Vacation Rental Villas
1 2 3 Bath Kitchen
10 Fast Food Restaurant Top
18 Age Driving Raise
Slim Wallet
Abc Tv Com
Hobbies Singapore
Ralph Lauren Cosmetic Bag
10 Acne Ambi Medication
Bracelet Crystal Handmade Swarovski
West Yosemite Condominium
00 Biocryst Price Share Us09058v1035
Antique Brass Lamp Oil
Healthy Weight Loss Diet Recipe
Com Disney High Musical School
Ktuscany Slim Fur Blue Christmas Tree
City London Map Ontario
Kt13
7370 Cell Gold Nokia Phone
Spa Water Treatment
Prince Of Tennis Chibi
Mtv Music Award 2006
Clubbing Pic
Myers Snow Blade
Axle Dump Single Truck
Kt62
Kt14
Used X Xbox Console
Red Roof Inn San Antonio
National City Bank Career
Archive By Celebrity Movie Rabbit
Family Jesus Mary
Cassette Player
Contact Us
Diamond Gold Jewelry Ring White
Place Or To Or Play Or Pool
Craft Holiday Kid Thanksgiving
Nyc Store Thrift
Vonage Caller Id
German Short Hair Hunting Dog
000 To Rehabilitate Taxiways
Crystal Green Light Tea
Home Rental Sanibel Vacation
07 2006 Cancelled Show Tv
Diddy Entertainment Tv
Obituary Chicago Il
Vanilla Fragrance Oil
Kt46
Midori Ito
Apple Ipod Buy
Locator Vending
Synergy Hockey Stick
Pimples In Vagina
Indiana First Bank
Candlestick Stock Chart
Baby Free Magazine Pregnancy
Wentworth Military School
Barbecue Restaurant Chicago
Filter Oil Stainless Steel
For Microsoft Office Xp
1000 Hotel In Seattle
Law And Order Video Game
Cheap Mortgage Online Php
Home In Insurance Mobile Texas
Driving Florida In School
Langston Hughes Not Without Laughter
Airline Discounted Student Ticket
Arizona Drug Rehabilitation
Pearl And Gold Chandelier Earring
Enclosure Price Spa
3 Carrying Play Station Store
Voluspa Candle Wholesale
Airfare Cheap From London
Equipment Game Not Not Retail Soccer
Head Injury Car Accident
Pearl Nightclub
Sands Macau
Wyndham Resort Time Share
Dress Gloves White
Snow Is Snowing
Shopping Car Loan
World Enough And Time
Beach Deerfield Florida Trucking
Asbestos Mesathelioma Litigation Iowa
Make Up For Acne Prone Skin
Forward Lookup Zones
Gmc Car
Forex Future Online Trading
John Allan
Business Listing Phone Numbers
Censor Dietary Supplement
007 Xbox Cheat Code X
Accident Attorneys Salt Lake City
Snow Monkey Picture
Book Entertainment Guest London Uk
Minnesota Gopher Tickets
Arizona Water Parks
Home In Montessori Pre School Teaching Years
Cosmetic Surgeon Denver
Monterrey Mexico Real Estate
Kt152
Job Offers In Canada
Rehab Centers In San Luis Obispo
Fm Radio Station In Toronto
Bed Breakfast Inn Vermont
Century Tile And Carpet
20 Air Discount Ticket Travel
Bag Brown Coach Hobo
Brooklyn New York Apartment Rental
International Online Shipping Shopping
Machine Snack Vending Virginia
Michigan Plow Snow Used
Antidepressant Medication For Weight Loss
Kt5
Blue Tooth Cellular Phone
Care Career Health Paralegal
Catholic Church Directory Roman
1 Day Depression Journey Postpartum Sleepless Through Womans
0 Auto Financing
Bag Louis Vuitton Wallet
Library 3
Town Of North Kingstown
Sue Cook
Leather Wallet With Money Clip
Kt82
1 Com Internet Marketing Promotion Services Site W
Vegetarian Diet For Kid
Palm Beach Garden Condo
1 Dollar Store
Auto Part Gmc
10 Mtv Music Top Video
Health Information Medical News
Los Vegas Vacation
Natural Healing For Cat And Dog
2005 Club Golf Review
California Driving Garden Grove School
Ups Store Franchise Opportunity
Camper For Sale
Training Vpn
Fieldstone Apartment Memphis
Home Schooling Math
Burberry London Cologne
The Best Of Holidays And Seasonal Celebration
New Office Space
Furniture Nj Unfinished
Karaoke Revolution Song List
Mortgage Lender Va Loan
In Lima Newspaper Peru
Friend Fur Real Toy
Medical Smart Card
Montgomery Inn Banquet Center
Michigan Fishing Resort
Budget Hotel In Singapore
Invest In Foreclosures
Blues Internet Radio Station
Airfare Airfare Flight One One Robot Ticket Travel Way Way
Car Holder Ipod Mini
Kitchen With Double Undermount Sink
100 Disco Song Top
Orchard Bank Secured Master Card
Electric Radio Control Plane
Columbus Clinic Medical Center
Vegetarian Societies
Sweet Corn
0 Accept Business Card Credit
Hiking Boot Uk
Apartment For Rent In Dallas Texas
Copy Atkins Diet Plan
Hotels Topeka
Home Ind Office
Baja Mexico Motorcycle Trip
Movie Star Tv
Brasov Car Poiana Rental Romania
Burlington Florist Florist Flower Online Plant Rose
Four Season Hotel Berlin
Pool Builder Supply
Online Paralegal Degrees
Free Sport Magazine
2008 Atv Honda
843 Balance New Shoes Walking
New Balance
Bmw E46 Accessories
Furniture Office Outlet
1 2 3 Go
Oahu Home Condo For Sale
Diet Loss Mineral Supplement Vitamin Weight
Animierte Emoticons Fur Msn Beta
06 10 21 Chef From Home Recipe Show Take
Citizen Watches Canada
Moving Rental Ryder Truck
Clairvoyant New Hampshire
Accident Attorney Car County Suffolk
Kt109
Free Crystal Report
Combined Life Insurance Of New York
Travel Company Vacation Package
Home Fuel Oil Tank
Bath And Body Works Fragrance Oil
Online Dating Online Dating Service
1768 Barter System Fur Trade
Free Chaise Lounge Plan
Sale Incentive Program
Box Free Jewelry Standing
Healthy Food Vending Machine
Kid Bed Frame
Kt27
Athlete Celebrity Tattoo
Anita Nursing Bra
Genoa Area High School
Dallas Tx All Bills Paid Apartment
Office Software Virtual
Florida Park Winery Winter
Salvaged Vehicles
Cardinal Baseball Shirt
Jessica Wu
Panama City Beach Fl Condo
06 Xbox Cheat Madden X
Bank Of America Location In San Antonio
1 5 Bed In Sofa
Basketball Tech Texas University Womens
Iv Mexico Strong Strong Strong Vacation
Acne California Laser Treatment
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Book And Magazine Child
Ipod Nike Video
Football Western Australia
Kt22
Columbia Pants Snow
Calculator Loan Monthly Mortgage Payment
Three Plead Quilty In Mortgate Fraud Scheme
Cover Up For Infant Car Seat
Cell Phone Accessory Motorola Razor
Motor Manufacturers
Fl Home Mobile Sales
Opportunity Vending
Disney Tv Show Ticket
One Way Truck Rent
Halloween Party Store Supply
Cover Holiday Insurance Travel Uk
Diet Links Loss Product Weight
Solid Cherry Wood Furniture
Ca Gas Co
Womens Hiking Backpack
Docking Ipod Speaker Station
Farmer Almanac Full Moon
Sports Illustrated Magazine Cover
Kt107
Trampoline Exercise Video
Doubletree Hotel In Ontario Ca
Spanish Villa Sales
Prevue Hendryx Bird Cages
Chaise Lounge Vintage
Fish Information Saltwater
What Vitamin Are Used For Acne
02 Magazine
Dessert Healthy Thanksgiving
Telephone Number Reverse
Bed Breakfast Florida Key
Motel For Sale In Indiana
Net Portable Soccer
0 Automobile Financing
Pet Costume Skunk
Condo In Branson Missouri
Detox Pill
Apartment In New York Ny
Fun Hike Nature
Art Glass Sea
Teacup And Toy Dog Breed
Pine Chaise
Christmas Coloring Holiday Sheet
Ncaa Football Odd
Decorative Fruit
10 Fast Food Restaurant Top
Jordan Statistics
Clerk Of The Circuit Court Of Cook County Illinois
Power 90 Review
Mtv 39 S Laguna Beach
0 Forex Learn Onlinesbox Trading
Business In Making Money Uk
Hockey Fight Picture
Motor Power Yacht
Wrought Iron Chaise
Basket Birthday Child Gift
World Wide Marriage Encounter
Wholesale Carpet Cleaning Supply
California Disney Grand Hotel
Best Cellular Cellular Phone Phone Plan
Certificate Dallas Gift Restaurant
Cheapest Flight To Cyprus
Beauty School Sample Business Plan
Beach Miami South Suite
0 Forex Learn Onlinesbox Trading
Destination Spa New York
Blue Corn Cafe
Fur Scarves
Estilos Musicales
Credit Card Credit
000 20 League Sea Under
Case Western Law
Creamy Pasta Recipe Salad
Home Theatre Furniture
Chaise Lc4 Longue
Kt134
Class Jack Reunion Yates
Best Practice Manufacturing
California Directory Public School
0 Cocktail Dress Size
1 Com Internet Marketing Promotion Services Site Web
Apartment Rent Sarasota Florida
Kt171
Dish Lubbock Network Satellite Tv
Homeopathic Acne Cure
Plastic Syringes
Cosmetic Dentist California
Kite Land Pennsylvania Sailing
016 Party Pool
12 Cd Wallet
Pittsburgh Mills Shopping Mall
Pur Hiker Water Filter
White Green House Plastic
Aarp Defensive Driving Course
Baby Shower Thank You Gift
Farmer Insurance Location
In Myrtle
Software To Copy X Xbox Game
Mozart Death
Wholesale Perfume Oil
Best Restaurant San Francisco
Nike Quest Hockey Gloves
Buy Share Time
Andis Dryer Hair Mount Wall
Posters San Francisco
Handbag Knockoff Wholesale
Free Live Radio Nfl
Cheerleader Dance Pad
Forex Mini Online
Ultimate Gold Detox Drink
Columbia Contractor Pool Swimming
Massage School Directory
Detox And Weight Loss Diet
Baltimore School Of Massage
Hockey Jersey Set Team
Paris Hilton Short Hair Picture
Guitar World Store
Gift Golf Inexpensive
Better Mp3 Player Than Ipod
Dark Chocolate Fondue Recipe
0a Celebrity Christian News
New Balance Hiking Shoes
Key City Furniture
Greeting Holiday Text
Oil Rig Jobs In Texas
Airline Cheap Flight Round Ticket Trip
Wool Rug Carpet
Phone Numbers By Area Code
Boston Cosmetic Dental Care
0 Db
Free Online Tarot Readings Psychics
Geforce 4 Drivers
Ronald Mcdonald House Indiana
Cartoon Duck Picture
Out Of Print Books For Sale
Dance Instructors
Business Online Pharmacy Start
Tennessee Drug Rehabilitation
La Mirage Condominium
Newport 27
Lowest Cost Of Living By State
Change Company Oil
Virginia Criminal Defense
Harley Mini Bike
Midway Park Saver
00 Buckshot
Coach Glasses Sun Woman
Christmas In Origin Puerto Rico
Ho Toy Train
Jordans Furniture In Reading Ma
Nokia Tonos
Disneyland Goofys Hotel Kitchen
Celebrity Hot Movie
Jobs California State Careers
0n Line Banking
Baby R Store Us
Short Term Disability Insurance Law
Cosmetic Surgeon Washington Dc
Extra Net
Fea Software
De Guanajuato Mexico Momias
Kt33
Structural Therapy Yoga
Yarn Outlets
Minolta Dimage A2 Digital Camera
1 2006 American Holiday January
Hockey League Northern Ontario
Hobby In Nj Shop
Card Place Wedding
Pilate Speed
Robbs Celebrity Pic
Car Hire Seattle
Bed Fall Flower Idea
Card Hockey Mcdonalds Set
Car Car Truck Used
Kid Birthday Party Planning
Home Owner Insurance Auto Insurance
Leo And Taurus
Kentucky Geological Survey
1 4 Car Charger In Ipod Kensington
Online Payment Service
Pilates In Pregnancy
Cake Cream Ice Song
Laguna Beach Real Estate
Baseball Live Series World
Yoga Class In San Francisco
Espn Schedule Soccer
Web Music Radio
Orange Blossom Honey
Kt111
Lead Poisoning
Vs Naipaul