Narration has been updated - it’s great!

I was almost turned away because of the reviews warning against the author’s narration. Looks like he took their advice and hired a pro. Austin does a great job. This is a fantastic book!

46 people found this helpful

The anti-PUA book

This is by far the best book on pickup I’ve ever read. Mark Manson offers an introspective look on how to conquer your own demons, start living a more attractive lifestyle, and tips to attract and be more attractive to the women you want to meet. Interestingly I also found a lot of parallels to how I interact with family friends and coworkers and I would even recommend this book for anyone who’s already in a relationship or even married because especially in the early chapters he talks about how certain types of incompatible people wind up feeding off their own insecurities and toxic relationships. Fascinating stuff! Best of all he talks about “the other pickup artists” and offers foundations on why those methods work, why people seek them, why they aren’t long term solutions, and why you may become a terrible narcissist if you study “game” too much. Seriously - man woman lgbtq - read this book.

14 people found this helpful

Just what I needed

I thought it was going to be a sleazy pick-up book. It turned out to be a long journey into self-discovery that I needed many years ago.

12 people found this helpful

Great book for any "Needy" guy in relationships!

Outstanding book Mark, not only have you taught me to be more self aware of how I interact with women, but your book has educated me to in-power my me by improving my self image! My existing girl friend had notice positive changes immediately once I started reading your book!

Thank you Mark, I really appreciate your outstanding knowledge specifically when it comes to understanding the opposite sex!

12 people found this helpful

its just good!

its like a friend's uncle just kicked knowledge for some hours and it was all stuff that you could relate to and/or understand. its not read as well as "the subtle art of not giving a f" but that also makes it easier to relate to the narrator...who happens to be the author. It wasn't underwhelming at all to me because none of what he said sounded contrived or like something somebody says to just sound like they know it all. Alot of it is just encouragement/reassurance but don't let that stop you, because it might be new to you. Things I've been told before or have come to realize, Mark talks about. But for me that was cool because its like I get to have somebody remind me, that being realistic and doubting myself are NOT the same thing. I hope this helps.

20 people found this helpful

I like that he had trouble narrating.

This is a book about fear, growth and building yourself so that the life outside of you is that way that you want. Is about running towards a mixture of failure and success, because that is the only way big successes will come about.

The author's narration was sometimes troubled. He was always easy to understand, but he often sounded like your buddy at a dive bar telling you his discovery about dating.

And that is the point.

He isn't perfect and polished the whole way, because he isn't afraid to screw up. If Simon Vance were narrating this would get an Audie, but probably not change as many lives. As it is, this is the book I needed right now. Not for dating insights or style tips, but a kick in the ass to go pursue the life that I want.

tl;dr: GET THIS BOOK!!

16 people found this helpful

It Was Everything It Was Cracked Up To Be

I was recommended this book by a dating coach that I spoke to recently and it delivered in every way that he said it would. The book's title doesn't really make sense to me as I think a more appropriate title would be 'Roles'. Mark did a subperp job of explaining what the roles of women and men are within a dating/romantic context. The author really acts in the role of a father through out the book and lays out what needs to happen from us and what needs to happen from women to be successful. There is no cheesy PUA lines in the book, it's just straight, honest talk which is what I think we all are looking for. The book helped me to imagine how the knowledge applies to me and my life individually and how I would act out the things he suggests within the context of my personality. I was truly impressed with Mark's concept of polarization! That was a completely new and fresh concept for me across the board. That one concept has invoked a whole new way of thinking and looking at things in life when it comes to relationships and people for me. This is the only book that I have ever written a review for and I decided to do so because I think this is a book every male should read.

5 people found this helpful

The content is great but the reader is awful

What did you like best about Models? What did you like least?

Models shows a great way for men to think about the world and their relationship with women. It really focuses on improving yourself.

Mark Manson read it himself. It sounds like it was recorded in front of his computer and he left all the misreads and stumbles in. I could hear mouse clicks and I'm pretty sure he got text messages while recording.

Would you be willing to try another one of Mark Manson’s performances?

No. Absolutely not. It was a 7 hour book recorded in 7 hours and a ton of mistakes left in. The negative listening experience definitely can overshadow the amazing content.

Did Models inspire you to do anything?

It inspired me to change the way I thought about my relationships with women.

Any additional comments?

Mark, please have this re-recorded with a pro reader.

62 people found this helpful

Throw all of your other POA books in the trash

I have read or listened to a lot of books on the topics Mr Manson reviews and can state that this book is really a breath of fresh air. As one reader mentioned, Manson regularly mentions the old PUA books and to this reviewer that was annoying. However, I think it is important in the writing that he makes sure to distinguish his approach to that of the typical PUA genre. I would not even place this in the PUA genre, but in the self-help genre. I have never gotten anything from the most popular books of PUA. They all essentially resolve on the premise of being someone you aren't. This book really is about being honest with yourself. His chapter on rejection really is one of the best I've read. I am going to give it another listen this week.

4 people found this helpful

A rare, insightful take on personal independence.

I've read and reread many well known psychology books on codependency, narcissism and healthy interdependence (aka "good relationships"), and Models for me takes its place as one of the best, how to fix yourself, books I've ever read.

Sure, the premise is about attracting women from a man's perspective, but that's just the hook as this book accurately describes the need for honesty with one's self and honesty with those we interact with and especially with women. In explaining why honesty empowers you and why honesty matters, I found many useful insights into personal independence that parallel many psychology self-help books by PhDs and experts. Take out the chapter on sex and one night stands (not that the author is wrong for including these topics) as they are a bit of a detraction, and you have one of the most practical self-help books I've ever read for needy, and/or codependent "nice guys."

Models is a great book for men in general.

10 people found this helpful