The Canadian magician-turned-pickup artist served as Strauss' primary guru, introducing him to the aforementioned seduction community. Strauss and 'The Game' also introduced the world to Erik von Markovik, better known by his PUA alter ego Mystery. Yet what many people don't realize is that these guys have been trading tips well before Strauss stumbled into the ranks. Since publication of 'The Game,' the seduction community, as PUAs are collectively referred to, has attracted massive publicity, as well as skepticism. His conversion complete, Strauss even adopted the PUA nickname 'Style.' Under the guidance of dedicated PUAs around the world and continual practice hitting on women and building up his self-esteem in the process, Strauss transformed into a bona fide lothario, allegedly wooing dozens of women with his stealthy seduction maneuvers.

Then, like a fervent disciple, he embedded with PUAs for two years initially as a magazine assignment, following in their acronym-spouting, pseudonym-bestowing footsteps. In his pre-PUA existence, Strauss described himself as physically undesirable to women and socially awkward to boot.

In 2005, former celebrity interviewer and biographer Neil Strauss unveiled the PUA and his sexually strategic lifestyle to the public in his best-selling book, 'The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists.' It's often referred to as the bible of pickup tactics, and like the bible, 'The Game' is something of a personal salvation story about Strauss.

The mystery method author