A work of deep scholarly importance...

The Reg has a book that is undoubtedly intended purely for research purposes: The Art of Mackin' by Tariq "K-Flex" Nasheed (call # HQ801 .N37 2000). This work is important enough to have been written up in the New York Times' "Books" section. From that review:

''Mackin','' as defined by Tariq ''K-Flex'' Nasheed's ART OF MACKIN'
(Research Associates School Times Publications, paper, $10)....can certainly land you in a swamp of trouble. Nasheed's manual ''is the first 'how-to' book that teaches men how to actually become 'players' and 'macks' '' -- hip-hop versions of the old-fashioned cad -- and how to use 'pimp game' as a form of manipulation (not deceit) in order to get what they want from women.''....To woo these women, Nasheed recommends men model themselves on (a) the neighborhood pimp, and (b) Bill Clinton. Regarding (a), he writes: ''One has to admit that it takes some serious game for a brother to have a stable of women 'breakin' him off cheddar' on the regular.'' (Cheddar, by the way, means money.) As to (b), Nasheed notes that when Clinton's dalliance with Monica Lewinsky went public,
''he went on television and started 'spitting game.' And his game was so tight, his popularity rating with the public went up. Now, if that is not a mack, I don't know what is.''

Certainly a useful book for that master's thesis on the history of game in American culture. Hopefully more books from King Flex will join the collection.