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The book that kicked off the PUA community.

What starts as a simple “how to get more girls into your bed” book turns out to have profound underlying meanings. Neil Strauss masterfully sets up the stage for his story as he delves deeper into the PUA (pick-up artist) community and learns the game’s tricks from the seasoned seduction gurus.

The premise of a mysterious community lurking from the shadows and guarding some valuable knowledge that can change the very fabric of our society is as intriguing as I made it sound. Get ready for a thrilling ride with Strauss as he introduces you to another world you didn’t know exists.

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Quick Summary

Neil Strauss delivers a social commentary on some of our society’s most pressing issues, disguised under a straightforward message that all guys can relate to. Don’t get me wrong, though; there’s still tons of sex, seduction, and straight-up effective techniques on how to get there.

The great thing about “The Game” is that you never feel that any of its messages are intrusive to how you’d like to enjoy the book. The subtle commentary is there, and believe me; you’ll wrap your head around what you read and come up with your own conclusions, without ever feeling that Strauss is screaming right into your face and stirring you in one direction or the other.

The protagonist encounters many interesting side characters in his search for the ultimate “game.” You’ll come across both the obscure and well-known supporting cast, and each has their own fleshed-out backstory to keep you intrigued and interested to learn more about their past and how it impacted who they are today.

Once the protagonist gets closer than ever to realizing his goal, a turn of events stirs him into a circle of deception, betrayal, and violence. “The Game” is quite the journey that you need to experience for yourself, and any attempt to strip it down into a concise summary is a disservice.

My In-Depth “The Game” Review

This is the man that wrote the book.

Tone of Voice

This might not be evident at first, but after you read through the entire book, you’ll notice how Strauss’s tone of voice shifted as he got deeper and deeper into the PUA community.
What started as an excited kid in a candy shop subtly shifted with each page you turn till Strauss ends up second-guessing himself and analyzing whether the knowledge that his PUA mentors possess is the cause of their demise and misery.

Remember how many times you focused all your attention on that one thing and kept convincing yourself that once you attain it, you’d be the happiest man on earth? Once you actually achieve your goal and realize it doesn’t live up to the high expectations you’ve been building over time, you get a feeling of emptiness.

This is exactly what the protagonist goes through, and a simple feat as the tone of voice is enough to convey his broad spectrum of emotions as he journeys closer to his goal. I appreciate how Strauss chose to approach his message this way, instead of ranting for pages and pages about how we lose ourselves in the journey to our presumed ultimatum.

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Smart Build-Up Chapters

The first half of the book promotes the idea that attraction isn’t physical; it’s more physiological. I know you might’ve heard this argument already countless times, but the way Strauss presents it here is different from any take I’ve read before.

Instead of trying to convince his audience, the writer proposes this concept as a fact and starts rolling with it. This might sound like a cheap sell to some readers; however, the execution is far from that.

You start to grasp the concepts about attraction through the words of the PUA mentors that our protagonist encounters. The mystery and authority surrounding these figures are the catalysts that get you engaged with their stories and techniques.

For instance, the most prominent of the PUA mentors is fittingly called Mystery. He cements how the physiological aspect plays a significant role in attraction by teaching his students to be patient and go after the hot girl’s friends instead of going straight up to her.

If you build up good vibes with them, your target will start noticing you. It’s more about how girls feel when you’re around, rather than the mere physical attraction based on your appearance and physique.

Controversy

Many readers were first introduced to “The Game” because of the controversy surrounding it. As humans, we’re always intrigued to learn more about that one thing that people keep developing strong, opposing opinions about, and this worked pretty well for the book’s favor.

It’s worth mentioning that if you’re easily offended and take everything in a literal manner, there’s a chance you might not enjoy your experience with “The Game” that much.

In fact, many of the talking points and controversy surrounding “The Game” don’t even align with Strauss’ view on life. The writer managed to remain in character throughout the entire journey and delivered some convincing performance that brought him some backlash.

For example, the concept of “neg” is regarded by some as misogyny. It aims at creating a disconnection between what you say and the way you deliver it to make your target confused whether you like her or not. Such a feeling of uncertainty paints you as unattainable in her eyes, which ends up making you even more desirable.

Strauss is just commenting on human psychology, and he’s not encouraging his readers to act like inconsiderate guys. That’s why I encourage you to take what you read with a grain of salt and only be critical after you finish the entire book.

Strong Final Act

The book ends on a high note. You get to see how the protagonist loses everything once he masters the art of seduction. The non-ending quest for validation from others makes him desperate to jump from one relationship to the next. Once the girl he hooked up with sees past the image he’s been painting for himself; her attraction quickly turns to disdain.

So, you get to see how Strauss’s protagonist is getting to sleep with whoever girl he dreams of, but at the cost of losing all the other beauties of life. He lost his friends who actually care about him to a pretend group of people who make him look more successful and desirable.

This whole tragedy shows us the importance of balance in our life. What you have right now can be easily overlooked for a distant goal. However, it would be best if you always considered what your dreams would cost you because the moment you start sacrificing what you have, you’ll quickly realize how valuable it was.

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Pros (What I Like)

• The intriguing setting is perfect for capturing the audience’s attention
• The book’s messages are never shoved in your face, and you get subtle cues throughout your journey to help you formulate your take on what you read
• The change in tone of voice signifies Strauss’ attention to detail
• In-depth commentary on society and human psychology

Cons (What I Didn’t Like)

• The book is too long, making it a chore to read through for some
• The middle arc needed more polish, as you can easily get lost in the tons of PUA stories thrown right and left

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Unique About Neil Strauss’s Writing?

The fascinating thing about Strauss’s writing is that everyone who reads the book might end up with a different take-home message. This might be considered a fatal flaw in other genres of books; however, such an aspect translates brilliantly in this book, allowing us, as readers, to live the writer’s journey and reach conclusions that relate to us the most.

For this reason, I highly encourage you to start looking deeper into “The Game” once you wrap the final page, as your mileage might vary from mine.

Other Than the Controversy, What Common Complaint Do People Have About “the Game”?

The book staggered a lot in the middle section and ended up being longer than it should have been. I hope we got a more polished middle arc to fit nicely with the excellent intro and conclusion. This would’ve also helped with keeping the book’s overall length in check to make it more accessible to more people, as “The Game” is too long for its own good.

Conclusion: Would I recommend it?

“The Game” is a thrilling ride that aims at broadening your horizons and introducing you to several psychology concepts and seduction techniques that you may never knew existed. It encourages you to pick what suits you the most, instead of just blindly copying what you read and forcing it into your lifestyle.

Aside from the seduction techniques, the social commentary aspect is fascinating, and it’ll surely keep me thinking for a long time to come. It’ll probably leave the same impact on you, too!

You should also read:

• “Models” Book Review
• “The Natural” Book Review

A surprising look into dating with honesty.

It’s a nice change of pace to come across a book written on seduction that isn’t trying to explain the process based on logic.

Many PUA (pick-up artist) authors seem to be on a continuous pursuit to make such far-fetched connections in order to come up with a system on which they can project different aspects of a relationship and find an alibi that helps them cement their claims.

Luckily, this isn’t the case here with “Models,” as Mark Manson leans towards emotions rather than logic. So, instead of deceiving the woman you’re trying to impress with some fake behavior and copied techniques, Manson encourages you to build an emotional, ever-lasting connection.

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Quick Summary

There’s no doubt you’ve heard countless tricks on how to attract women over the years. No matter how effective such techniques are, there remains one important fact! You’ll always feel confined within a bubble if you keep your mind just focused on blindly following the blueprint set by others.

“Models” liberates and empowers you to be yourself without the glamorous, pretend persona that we try to assume to attract women. The book delves deep into human emotions and how they should be the core upon which we build our relationships.

So, all your attempts to win a girl over should be based on honesty and truth. The first impression lasts, and you want to earn the girl’s trust for her to open up to you and trust you with her personal life.

Next up is vulnerability! You’ll know that you’re with the right woman once you don’t mind letting your guard down and allowing her to see through all your imperfections and flaws. Also, you should be open to getting rejected and not letting that affect your self-esteem and confidence.

Finally, the third central pillar that “Models” proposed for successful relationships is never investing in a woman more than she’s willing to invest in you. One-sided relationships are destined to fail sooner or later, and you should save your energy and effort for the girl that truly deserves them.

My In-Depth “Models” Review

This is Mark, he’s the author.

Investment

I decided to kick off my in-depth review where I ended the summary section because the investment concept shatters some of the givens that the PUA community has always believed in. For instance, for years, we’ve been fed that we should show uninterest in the women we’re attracted to, as seeming unattainable makes a man more desirable.

“Models” addresses such a paradox once and for all. As your relationship develops, so will your investment in your partner. It’s a dynamic process that evolves with time, and you two should do your part to make things work out for the best.

Manson then moves on to address the thing that makes a lot of guys get butterflies in their stomachs the moment they approach an attractive girl: rejection.

Going back to the investment concept, you shouldn’t be afraid of rejection from the get-go, as you didn’t “invest” into such a relationship yet. In other words, you don’t have anything to lose, so why be anxious?

Communication

I’ve already touched on how “Models” doesn’t present its seduction techniques for the sake of you to follow the same step-by-step formula mindlessly. Instead, you get to know yourself and the girl you’re approaching better.

Once you have this knowledge at your disposal, you’re free to act according to what the situation dictates and be more comfortable in your own skin.

That said, we get to see this mindset in how Manson tackles the ideal ways of communication. Humans are sociable by nature, and we’re built to interpret one another beyond spoken words.

So, whenever you feel in doubt of what messages you’re conveying to the girl you’re approaching, ask yourself what your intentions are. Intentions are impossible to hide, and they govern our small, mostly indiscernible actions and body language. Be true to your intentions, and your body will work for you and help you come as a genuine, down to earth guy.

Furthermore, “Models” acknowledges the overthinking and uncertainty that might creep to you while you’re in the middle of a conversion. “Why did I say that?” “This sounds really dumb!” Such self-destructive phrases will only be in the past, as the book encourages you to remove yourself from the equation.

There are plenty of things that happen to you every day and are completely out of your hands. You need to accept this and have the motive to react and try to stir things around until they work your way.

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A Fresh Take on Seduction

It immediately becomes notable to anyone who has read a couple of PUA books that “Models” is trying to reinvent the wheel. We more often get an arrogant tone of voice from the writer, claiming that his techniques work 100%, and you shouldn’t second guess him if you want to get laid.

With “Models” opening some room for skepticism, you get a fresh perspective on how women are portrayed, defying some of the PUA’s cornerstones. Aside from the final arc, women are treated like people, as they always should be, and the book doesn’t claim that it cracked women’s footprint because simply there isn’t one.

Instead of getting lost in the calculations and expecting that the woman you like will just magically yield to your one-liner, you’re encouraged to understand each girl on a case-by-case basis and cherish the differences that make each girl unique.

I like how Manson kept this theme going throughout most of his book, so credit when credit is due! However, he shifted gears in the last section and lost perspective of his unique message.

Missteps

The book shows a significant shift in direction with its final act about physical interactions. Manson seems to misinterpret the concept of consent when engaging in sexual activities. What he proposes is that, as a man, you can proceed until the woman stops you. This concept is flawed on so many levels and tips into sexual assault territory.

Sexual consent should never be assumed; you need a clear verbal affirmation from your partner before you even think about touching her. This should be front and center in how we educate men about sex, and Manson misses the “mark” and fails to end “Models” on a high note that’s worthy of all the sincere advice he laid up throughout the rest of his book.

Pros (What I Like)

• A welcome new interpretation of seduction based on emotions rather than logic
• Sheds light on relationships built on mutual investment and no fear of showing vulnerability in front of the woman you like, which is more liberating and removes some of the anxiety men may face
• Delves more in-depth into how to maintain effective communication with the people around you, which could be applied to all your everyday life interactions
• Breaks the molds of the so-called, non-disputed seduction techniques and invites you to try and understand each girl as a unique individual rather than a copycat that follows a given blueprint

Cons (What I Don’t Like)

• The book keeps rephrasing the same concepts time and time again, which makes it feel like a glorified blog post stretched to fill an entire book
• I don’t dig the way that “Models” framed sexual consent, and I think such a topic should be addressed in a straightforward manner that doesn’t leave room for misinterpretation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is “Models” a Good Read From a Woman’s Perspective?

“Models” is a fun read that takes its readers on an eye-opening journey to help them better understand their emotions and be smart in the way they interact with other people. These concepts are relevant to both men and women, and you’ll find yourself relating to many of the examples presented throughout the book.

However, there’s a chance women will be more critical to the sections discussing the nature of sexual activities. The concept of consent is blurred here, and this isn’t the best way to educate men about how to respect a woman’s body.

Aside From the Controversy, What Common Complaints Do People Have About “Models”?

Some readers might not like that Mason keeps discussing the same ideas over and over. If the message has landed home for you on the first time it was introduced, it gets tedious to read about the same thing again.

In Mason’s defense, he tries to give you more than one perspective, but the end result is a repetition that could’ve been easily polished to deliver a more concise overall package.

Conclusion: Would I recommend it?

“Models” is an achievement for the way it stands up against many of the norms that governed the PUA genre for years. Instead of establishing some non-existent connections based on logic, Mason opens up the doors for emotions to take the front stage.

The book delivers on its main premise of giving men more room to be themselves without any glamorous techniques and copied pick-up lines to do the job for them. The introduction of concepts like the non-fear of showing vulnerability and investment in the girl you like ensures that your relationships are built on honesty and good communication.

You should also read:

• “The Game” Book Review
• “The Natural” Book Review

You can either buy it from Amazon, or get it from Richard for free.

Most books on picking up women expect you to act like a robot that uses recycled, cheesy lines or pretend to be someone you’re not. That’s why “The Natural” is the welcome deviation all men need to read.

As its name implies, it gives you insight on what women like and don’t like to make you as “natural” as possible from the first conversation starter all the way to building a relationship with the woman of your dreams.

-> Get Your Free Copy Here

Quick Summary

Richard La Ruina has made a reputation for himself as a true pick-up artist (PUA) by setting a real-life example of how he transformed himself from being a shy guy to a true master of seduction. In “The Natural,” he’s sharing his experience on how to attract women with a witty writing style that makes the book hard to put down.

Unlike many PUA training books, “The Natural” starts by laying out simple yet effective tips on how to take your life to the next level. Self-fulfillment is the most crucial aspect of having a happy life.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to be happy; you just need to give your 100% to whatever you’re doing and be successful at it. That way, you’ll notice a significant boost to your confidence backed up by real achievements, rather than an unnatural act of confidence to impress a girl who will, at some point, see through the facade.

Throughout your journey with “The Natural,” you’ll never feel overwhelmed by unrealistic feats that the book expects you to do. Instead, you get a step by step guide, starting from the very first step of introducing yourself to the woman who caught your attention in a way that creates trust and instant connection between you two.

Furthermore, you get a companion that guides you through each step of the relationship road, from the moment you get the girl’s number to dating and building a happy life together.

My In-Depth “The Natural” Review

This is Richard and his sidekick.

Personal Story

“The Natural” is one of the prime examples of introducing new audiences who have never been fond of getting their relationship advice from books to such a genre. This is achieved by having plenty of interesting personal stories sprinkled around to keep you immersed.

The author, Richard La Ruina, shares some of his life’s lows and how he managed to turn this around into the success he enjoys today. You get to live with him through his rough upbringing in London to his lonely youth when he didn’t have a girlfriend.

He continues to describe how his life kept on taking all the wrong turns when he had to drop out of college and lived in his mother’s house until the age of 25.

This thrilling journey builds up the suspense to keep readers intrigued by the turning point that changed La Ruina’s life. La Ruina is smart enough to use the readers’ anticipation as the catalyst that keeps them engaged and ready to open their minds to the book’s techniques.

Disclaimer

First of all, the book managed to win me over thanks to its clear and realistic messages throughout its prologue. Change takes time and effort, so you shouldn’t expect to just read through “The Natural” in a couple of hours, and voila, you’ve got yourself a sociable person.

That’s why the inclusion of assignments and exercises that you can practice at home makes “The Natural” a more valuable package. Instead of just telling you what you need to do, the book actually encourages you to do it. Practice makes perfect, so it’ll help if you concentrate on a couple of life-changing tips at a time until you master them, then move to the next.

-> Get Your Free Copy Here

Smart Build-Up Chapters

To me, the highlight of the first half of the book is a chapter called “The Attraction.” I like how La Ruina doesn’t shy away from acknowledging some of the cliche traits and characters that make men attractive.

It’s part of human nature that women are more attracted to good-looking, strong men who give the vibes that they’ll be able to provide for their families. Other similar books try to avoid the obvious not to alienate some of their readers; however, this proves to do more harm than good.

By addressing the attractive qualities that catch women’s eyes, you’re giving your readers the chance to make the most of such attributes and learn to find a way around any disadvantages they might have.

Though the introductory section spends a lot of time helping you develop yourself to become a natural girls’ magnet, I found many of the tips it presents to be disjointed.

It would have worked much better if we got a fleshed-out mindset through which readers can see life in a new light. In other words, rather than giving readers some advice about particular snippets of life, why not help them understand themselves better!

This way, the author empowers his readers to have more control over their lives and approach different situations in different ways that suit their personality, rather than just following the status quo.

Taking Action

The meat on bones of “The Natural” is how to actually approach women and win them over. It shines when it addresses relatable issues like anxiety and shyness around new people.

For instance, the section where it gives you tips on the best way to introduce yourself can be a game-changer for many people. Upon focusing your efforts on highlighting your best traits and making them front and center, you can leave a lasting first impression.

The social intelligence that you acquire isn’t just limited to letting you approach attractive women. In fact, such skills will help stir your life in the right direction, whether it’s at work or in other everyday interactions.

You now understand yourself and the people around you better. Understanding how subtle body language cues or charismatic remarks can paint a different picture of you in others’ eyes will help you take more calculated approaches to ensure you always have a strong presence no matter where you are.

Furthermore, many people are concerned that PUA books are just a means to manipulate women and objectify them into a game that men aim to “win” over. This is far from true here, as “The Natural” pushes you in the right direction to build a real connection with the woman you actually like.

Finally, I have a couple of complaints that would have made my experience with the book better. The author sometimes falls into the trap of generalization. Sure, he must be confident in his techniques; however, no matter how effective the approach is, there could be this one girl who doesn’t fall for it.

Also, some of the pick-up lines included sound a bit sleazy to my taste. It’s an irony that a book called “The Natural” includes some forced lines. Nevertheless, if you look past such shortcomings, you’re still getting a comprehensive package that can help you boost your social skills.

-> Get Your Free Copy Here

Pros (What I Like)

• The personal story makes the book fun to read through
• Straightforward messaging that encourages you to invest more in yourself and exert effort to transform your life to the best
• Realistic assignments that help you practice the skills you read about before trying them out in the real world
• Promotes social intelligence and teaches you how to make the most of your best traits and find a way around your not so good ones
• Doesn’t tip into the territory of manipulating women; instead, it aims at creating real connections built on trust and respect

Cons (What I Didn’t Like)

• Some pick-up lines sound over the top
• The over-confident tone that assumes that such tips and tricks will work on ALL women might put some readers off
• Relatively short, and some sections would have benefited from more examples to support the author’s claims

Frequently Asked Questions

Is “The Natural” a Good Read From a Woman’s Perspective?

We’re always intrigued by finding out how the other gender thinks, and for this particular reason, “The Natural” can be an enjoyable read. On reading about what feats men go through to impress women, you get more insight into men’s minds.

Can You Get a Long-Term Relationship After Reading “the Natural”?

Yes, that’s the goal behind the book! Richard La Ruina warns his readers that the skills they gain from his book need to be governed by a moral compass. Yet, his comments come as a bit ironic since he continuously promotes that you can spend each night with a different woman as a way to boast about the effectiveness of his techniques.

Conclusion: Would I recommend it?

By now, you know exactly what to expect from “The Natural,” which gives you a much-needed heads up on how to approach the book and make the most of it.

The author isn’t trying to be deceptive by claiming that just reading through the book will change your life. On the contrary, he’s encouraging you to work on yourself and put in the effort to see the aspired results.

With such knowledge and skills at your disposal, the next time you try to approach an attractive girl, you’ll feel more comfortable in your skin and know how to impress her.

You should also read:

• “Models” Book Review
• “The Game” Book Review