If you know anything about pickup artists, you’ve probably heard of Neil Strauss, aka Style.
If you’ve ever read any of the rock reviews in the New York Times, rock star bios and books, you have probably read Neil’s work.
Neil’s been in my life for nearly a decade; I read his work many years ago – and I didn’t even know it! “The Long Hard Road Out of Hell,” Marilyn Manson’s autobiography, was written by Sir Strauss in 2001.
But it wasn’t until a recent lonely night that I stumbled upon his book “The Game” in a Barnes and Noble, and I really get to know Neil.
Back Story
There I was, in the self-help and sexuality aisle, trying to look creepy, sipping my chai tea half crap whip choco mocha cappuccino, wearing nothing but my flower patterned boxers and some flip flops, learning some new sex positions when I saw it… THE GAME (okay for the sake of full disclosure, I was drinking green tea, I had clothes on and was looking at a book on spirituality).
THE GAME stood out. Neil and his publishers are great marketers; this stark black book with a leather-like rippled texture, just bursts out at you from the shelves. On the cover lay the outline of a naked woman stylized like a truck’s mud flap. I purchased it and read it immediately.
The Game
The Game is less a pick up guide and more a story. It is the story of lonely little Neil, the talented, well written, poorly groomed author who was fed up and horny and decided to do something about his lack of experience with women. Within a few years he goes from dud to stud. Neil transforms his life, his looks, his ability to communicate and goes from having no success with women, to being crowned one of the greatest pick up artists of all time… Style. It is a fascinating read and although there are some tips on dating and creating attraction, I found its true message underscores what ANY of us can accomplish if we truly make something a priority.
This single book, this one chance glance and purchase, grew into everything you’re reading here today. It started with The Game, continued with some other Pick Up Books, stuff on NLP, mutated to body language, then relationships in general, then physical and physiological differences between men and women, and finally a realization that there was very little on or offline information for guys on life (and definitely not a unified resource) on growing up, on being “Men.”
And ManWhole was born – thanks Neil.
But… The Game is not really a guide to picking up women or dating.
The Rules of the Game Contest
It’s almost Christmas, and as the holiday’s approach, it would be nice to curl up next to someone, drink your spiked EggNog, and listen to your Dean Martin Christmas jams. And, just beyond Christmas’ lonely cries (or whatever holiday(s) you celebrate) there is New Years. And we all know what New Year’s is about… making changes (click for inspirational music).
So we’d like to offer you a holiday gift, and hopefully help change you for the better – and if nothing else go on a little journey with you. We’ll be offering up 2 copies of Neil Strauss’ latest book “Rules of the Game” a true 30 day guide to mastering the art of women (yes, they’re like MS paint). Simply fill out the form below and we’ll enter you into a random drawing to receive the book. The only thing we ask is that you keep us posted on your progress and we’ll help draft a review post after your 30 days are up. You’ll start January 1, 2010 and we’ll see just how far you get back February 1, 2010.
Please only submit if you are truly serious about participating in the daily exercises in the book and are willing to be interviewed at the end of the 30 days. Submissions must be received by December 10th, 2009.
[contact-form 2 "Rules of the Game"]
