I actually think The Game is very good. And I may be wrong since I don't remember many people here, but I believe The Game is what gets a LOT of guys into this stuff in the first place. It is certainly one of the first things I read.
Quick summary, it is NOT an instruction manual. It is a story told from the eyes of Niel Struass, Style. It covers 'his life' from AFC to master (I don't know how much is truth or fiction) and in any case, Style is a very good author and the book is a fascinating and rivetting read. I couldn't put it down from start to finish.
Also, I'm sure there are rules against giving links or whatever, so I will just say that I didn't pay for the book or any of the other books I have read/skimmed and got bored of.