Why Can't I Use A Smiley Face?: Stories From One Month In America Paperback – February 25, 2013

As a resident of the DC metro area and a longtime reader of Roosh's work, I've been waiting for a follow-up to his travel memoir, "A Dead Bat In Paraguay." While "Why Can't I..." is by no means a sequel, it is a nice update and an interesting look at how he's grown since that epic slog through South America and, more recently, his extended stay in Europe. It's also a good reminder of why those of us still toiling in the trenches of DC should get out of this place.

If you've been following his blog for any length of time, the thought has come across your mind what it would like to have a beer with Roosh and have a decent conversation with the man. Let it be clear you won't pick up any techniques or tips of the trade in this novelette. However if you're at all interested in the man behind the guides, this comes as close as you can to picking his brain without being in his inner circle.As a novel by itself, you can see it as lacking but you have enough perspective you can see that you're buying a drink for a friend you don't know and who's given you the benefit of his experience and then that is a very good deal.

Roosh V is deservedly famous as a pick up artist and writer. He has produced some books on approaching women and has written a multitude of works on how to "game" women in various nations, most recently in the Baltics and parts of the FSU.Some of these recent "gaming" books do not portray Roosh in a very good light and he sometimes comes across as misogynistic and "mechanical" in his writing. He includes summaries of each country he visits and these tend at times to be a bit cursory and do not teach one much about the country or culture.This work is basically a chronicle of Roosh's return to America after two years of living abroad and "gaming" women, mostly in Eastern Europe.The good news about this book compared to his recent ones is that Roosh appears more human and writes in a personal and sometimes confessional tone. This is reminiscent of his book A DEAD BAT IN PARAGUAY which also reads as a more human book than any of his later travelogues.The bad news is that while Roosh is a good writer and can spin an interesting story, much of what he talks about in this work is prosaic and one gets the feeling it was written to capitalize on his fame and earn money from his fan base, many of whom worship him with slavish devotion.Read this book if you're a fan of Roosh. Those looking for more penetrating insights or "gaming" advice will be disappointed.

This book reminded me why I'm leaving the US for 8 months in the beginning of the new year. It touches upon attitude differences between our women compared to eastern Europe and gives insights on family and also the need for belonging.

This book isn't Roosh's finest, but he exposes his state of mind after arriving in the US following a 20-month journey in Eastern Europe. He reveals for the first time personal stories about how his relationships with friends and family members have changed since he was gone. My principal takeaway is that Roosh knows what he's doing with his life and that this account confirms that he can no longer live in the US. Must read for anyone interested in what it's like to return home after a long time spent abroad.

Honestly this was a very fun read. If you're into pickup or just want something to read before bed. Awesome read!

A fun, honest, and up to date entry in the Roosh catalogue. As always, he doesn't pull punches. Full of sharp wit and observation.

Alright -- so I wasn't familiar with this guy's previous work. So, I admit, I wasn't prepared for his lack of a soul. From the description, I thought this book would talk more about the decaying values of America... but instead it was this guy's ingenious instructions on how to find women who are beautiful, trusting and naive and take advantage of them... He prefers Poland to America because the women there actually think if they are intimate with a man, it means something--that he's interested in them and wants to marry. So, his scammy sex tactics work better with these women and he, for a brief moment, feels a sense of real connection because whatever woman he has lied to so that he can sleep with her, actually thinks he loves her and wants to marry her one day. But, no, that's not the case. He just lies straight to her face so that he can get sex and feel "more connected" with someone because she's buying his lies. In America, on the other hand, the women he runs into are already jaded, treat him like dirt, use him for sex and don't have any real connection at all. If he keeps up his strategy in Poland (and gets his 'followers' to do the same thing there too), these beautiful, trusting women will become as jaded as Americans... because, after all, wouldn't you become jaded if a prick just used you for sex?

Roosh V is a well-known blogger and author within what is known as the "manosphere". His usual fare is guides to countries around the world, in which he basically offers advice on how to sleep with the local women. He occasionally writes other pieces though, and this is one of them. In "Why Can't I Use a Smiley Face" Roosh offers a loose collection of essays based on a month spent back in the U.S, seeing his family and taking a break from living in various Eastern European countries.This is not a large effort - it should take you less than an hour to read from beginning to end. It is up to you to judge whether that provides value for money or not. The essays are basically small vignettes from his life in DC, which he then muses on philosophically. Anyone familiar with his site will be aware of the general tone and style. Roosh is an interesting voice, and I found them quite entertaining, although I can't say they broke any new ground for me. I was, however, struck by the tone of some of the essays. Over the years, Roosh seems to have developed a positive dislike, or even hatred, for (American) women. His mood is certainly much darker than in an earlier book of his, "A Dead Bat in Paraguay". I am not sure where this hardening attitude will ultimately lead him, but this effort is useful in charting his progression.

This book is a small collection of tales of roosh comeback to USA, showing its alienation from family and local women.I found the stories about american women a bit predictable, probably because I am a big reader of its blog & forum, where you can dozen of tales like that. I must say that I do not live in the USoA so I do not understand all this orrible hype taht american women seems to possess. Probably its true, simply I do not knwo about it.I liked more the stories about relations with his family, and the difficult to come back home (and feel the place like "home") after many years travelling. I have some experience as well on this subject so I can understand it better.Overall it's ok, and the low price works in its advantage