Recessional Audiobook By David Mamet cover art

Recessional

The Death of Free Speech and the Cost of a Free Lunch

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Recessional

By: David Mamet
Narrated by: Jim Frangione
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.79

Buy for $19.79

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

“Savagery appeased can only grow. Once you give in to it, it must escalate, like a fire searching for air.”

The man who won the Pulitzer Prize for GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, who wrote the classic films THE VERDICT and WAG THE DOG sounds his alarm about the Visigoths at our gates.

In RECESSIONAL he calls out, skewers, mocks, and, most importantly, dissects the virus of conformity which is now an existential threat to the West.

A broad-ranging journey through history, the Bible, and literature, RECESSIONAL examines how politics and cultural attitudes about rebellion have shifted in the United States in the last generation. By screaming down freedom of thought and expression, Mamet explains, we kill invention and democracy – the foundations of security and growth.

A wickedly funny, wistful and wry appeal to the free-thinking citizen, RECESSIONAL is a vital warning that if we don’t confront the cultural thuggery now, the commissars and their dupes will transform the Land of the Free into the dictatorship at which they aim.

©2022 David Mamet (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Art Conservatism & Liberalism Essays Ideologies & Doctrines Politics & Government
Thought-provoking Perspectives • Masterful Writing • Brilliant Insights • Philosophical Wisdom • Extensive Vocabulary
Highly rated for:
All stars
Most relevant  
David Mamet is a rare bird: a member of the creative/entertainment industry who espouses conservative virtues and calls out the Left for its hypocrisy and absurdity. Similar to my all-time favorite conservative, Thomas Sowell, Mamet started out as a leftist.
This audio book was interesting, consisting of dozens of brief chapters of musings/commentaries by Mamet about numerous topics.
Mamet is clearly brilliant, and perhaps that is the main criticism I have for the book. His sentences are long and dense, and sometimes went over my head. That's more a reflection of my shortcomings rather than his, but it has never been a problem for me when listening to Sowell. Dr. Sowell is equally brilliant but has a more succinct style that I prefer, especially for books that I consume while driving.
Overall, a thought provoking and entertaining book.

Lots to think about

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Mamet’s stark colorful word pictures conveyed in the cadence of an incisive mind from a brilliant man constitute an intellectual gift. His championing of qualities such as perseverance, hard work and courage over “peer moderation and communal whining” may discomfort many but insights such as these are well worth the discomfort.

Discomforting Truth All At Once

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very clever insights. It was one of the most creative lectures that I Have listen to.

Recessional

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
There is so much wisdom in this wonderful book of David Mamet reminisces. He covers politics, culture, the Bible poetry, and many other things, all with wisdom and restraint.

Absolutely wonderful I have read it multiple times

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This audio is so intelligent and well written, it will make you smarter and
And may change the way you think about society, history and culture.

Listen to it several times

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A glimpse into the mind of someone who has seen both of polars we have in America. Take what you want from this book, but know this, Mamet doesn't give a .... about your opinion of him.

Mamet is a philosopher

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Must reading for anyone interested in American culture and the civic values enshrined in our Constitution.

Incredible and Enlightening

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The book was excellent and very powerful. Love the way you think. A brilliant mind.

Excellent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Outstanding survey of life, country, religion, humor, art, and politics by a brilliant and original thinker. Much wisdom in few words.

Magnificent

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I have never read him before but DM writes a great book. I learned a lot and laughed a lot
Excellent narration too

Well worth your time

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews