• Recessional

  • The Death of Free Speech and the Cost of a Free Lunch
  • By: David Mamet
  • Narrated by: Jim Frangione
  • Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (356 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
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 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Recessional  By  cover art

Recessional

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

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $18.60

Buy for $18.60

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

Publisher's summary

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

What listeners say about Recessional

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    263
  • 4 Stars
    46
  • 3 Stars
    18
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    17
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    239
  • 4 Stars
    47
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    231
  • 4 Stars
    43
  • 3 Stars
    13
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    19

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Lots to think about

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • CP
  • 04-23-23

Discomforting Truth All At Once

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Recessional

Very clever insights. It was one of the most creative lectures that I Have listen to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely wonderful I have read it multiple times

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Listen to it several times

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Mamet is a philosopher

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.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible and Enlightening

Must reading for anyone interested in American culture and the civic values enshrined in our Constitution.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

The book was excellent and very powerful. Love the way you think. A brilliant mind.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Magnificent

Outstanding survey of life, country, religion, humor, art, and politics by a brilliant and original thinker. Much wisdom in few words.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Well worth your time

I have never read him before but DM writes a great book. I learned a lot and laughed a lot
Excellent narration too

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful