The Secret Knowledge: On The Dismantling Of American Culture (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
Renowned playwright and screenwriter David Mamet spares nothing in this blistering critique of politicians, particularly American progressives. The Secret Knowledge is an entertaining and surprising telling of Mamet's ideological awakening, and he writes with the fierce urgency of a recent convert.The book, and the journey that prompted it, were born of a play Mamet wrote as "a lover letter to America," concluding with a liberal reconciliation of the Right and Left. The play alarmed the intolerant speech police, and the New York papers were outraged. Mamet responded with an essay on "Political Civility" in the Village Voice, which drew even more outrage, leading to this book.Mamet brings a playwright's creativity to what is otherwise a standard libertarian-conservative critique of current-day American politics. Each short, easy to read essay is packed full of Hayek, Friedman, Sowell and intellectual heroes of the Right. He provides a strong defense of capitalism, freedom, justice and other American values, as well as the state of Israel. He also excoriates socialism and "social justice," and reveals the truth behind each in a profoundly accessible way that will leave conservatives applauding. David Mamet presents his background of experiences along with a progression of how he evolved his philosophy over his life. He makes compelling arguments for his opinions, discussing culture, government and other topics - family, creativity, business - with different essays by chapter.The author has creative credentials as a writer and playwright, with success in the entertainment industry, so it is difficult to place him someone who has neither experienced the world nor considered the tensions between right and left thinking.If you're rigid in left leaning thinking, you may find the book challenging, but if you are open to following the logic, there are some pragmatic ideas presented to counter conventional thinking on some of the hot cultural topics of the day.
What do You think about The Secret Knowledge: On The Dismantling Of American Culture (2011)?
Unsubstantiated claptrap from a playwright who I used to hold in very high esteem. Disappointing.
—afaq
Quite the political manifesto. Very impressive. Solid logic throughout.
—goldygoldy
What a glorious book. This was a wonderful book. Yay. What a book.
—vleblanc
