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The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture Audiobook, by David Mamet Play Audiobook Sample

The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture Audiobook

The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture Audiobook, by David Mamet Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Johnny Heller Publisher: Tantor Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781452674018

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

39

Longest Chapter Length:

24:14 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:19 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

10:25 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

10

Other Audiobooks Written by David Mamet: > View All...

Publisher Description

For the past thirty years, David Mamet has been a controversial and defining force in theater and film, championing the most cherished liberal values along the way. In some of the great movies and plays of our time, his characters have explored the ethics of the business world, embodied the struggles of the oppressed, and faced the flaws of the capitalist system.

But in recent years Mamet has had a change of heart. He realized that the so-called mainstream media outlets he relied on were irredeemably biased, peddling a hypocritical and deeply flawed worldview. In 2008 he wrote a hugely controversial op-ed for the Village Voice, "Why I Am No Longer a 'Brain-Dead Liberal,'" in which he methodically eviscerated liberal beliefs. Now he goes much deeper, employing his trademark intellectual force and vigor to take on all the key political and cultural issues of our times, from religion to political correctness to global warming.

Mamet pulls no punches in his art or in his politics. And as a former liberal who woke up, he will win over an entirely new audience of others who have grown irate over America's current direction.

Download and start listening now!

"It has been a while since I wished there were a six star option. This is really a great book. It is insightful, moving, challenging and the writing is smackaliciously pungent. He writes like Rowdy Roddy Piper wrestled. Rhetorical figure four leg locks and sleeper holds all over the place. "

— Jason (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • A Manichean analysis from a strident new voice from the Right---for liberals, something intended to ignite antagonism; for the like-minded, a buttress against the opposition.

    — Kirkus

The Secret Knowledge Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.6538461538461537 out of 53.6538461538461537 out of 53.6538461538461537 out of 53.6538461538461537 out of 53.6538461538461537 out of 5 (3.65)
5 Stars: 11
4 Stars: 5
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 4
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
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  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As a fan of Mamet's work, I really wanted to like this. It was so dry, I gave up after two chapters. I don't have the time to plug through it. I did enjoy the interviews he had with a few talk radio hosts about his book. "

    — Lisa, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Mamet tends to ramble here (though I hate to say it of a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer!), but his ideas and imagery are striking and powerful. A thoughtful, memorable book, definitely worth a read. "

    — Gina, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Playwright David Mamet leaves liberalism behind.....provocative and interesting whether you agree or not. "

    — Maureen, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Absolutely fascinating and from my own experiences true to life. "

    — Joseph, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The chapters titled "The Ashkenazis" and "The Secret Knowledge" are worth the price of the whole book. Welcome, David Mamet, out of never never land and into harsh reality! We need you. "

    — Marilou, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Liked the book. It's kind of rambling, and the chapters don't really connect to each other in any obvious way. It's more like several essays strung together. I actually had to quit reading the book about halfway through, because the author was making too much sense, and he was making me mad at the current state of the country and the idiocy of the politicians currently in power. "

    — Heather, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book so clearly delineates the authors passage from one point of view to another. I would highly recommend to anyone. "

    — Karen, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Could have been a compelling, convincing, nuanced political commentary by a guy who recently "came out" as conservative. Instead, it's obvious he has drank the Kool-aid (he thanks Glenn Beck and Mark Levin in the acknowledgements - I'm sorry, but...) "

    — Bradford, 12/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very good, draws a lot from Hayek, Friedman, and Sowell. "

    — Jared, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book that is badly badly written. "

    — Diana, 11/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a glorious book. This was a wonderful book. Yay. What a book. "

    — Douglas, 11/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Unsubstantiated claptrap from a playwright who I used to hold in very high esteem. Disappointing. "

    — Jack, 10/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Funny and well written. It's not for everyone, but it's an easy read. A journey through Mamet's thoughts on why he's no longer a liberal. "

    — Voracious_reader, 4/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " So far he is a literary genius, and his political insight is very interesting. Book is excellent "

    — Jp1961, 12/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It has been a while since I wished there were a six star option. This is really a great book. It is insightful, moving, challenging and the writing is smackaliciously pungent. He writes like Rowdy Roddy Piper wrestled. Rhetorical figure four leg locks and sleeper holds all over the place. "

    — Jason, 10/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " You should all read this book--esp. if you think your politics might not agree. "

    — Darryl, 9/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A mixed bag. I certainly agree with some of Mamet's contentions, but his fact-checking is spotty and his prose is more indignant than persuasive. "

    — Shane, 6/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The writing style took me a lot of getting used to, but once I got into it I could start to appreciate the unique perspective of the author. "

    — Robert, 5/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " David Mamet gives his unique insights into the belief systems of people of a liberal persuasion as he details his conversion to a more conservative world view. The style is personal, direct and deliberate. And funny. The Secret Knowledge made me laugh in more than a few places. "

    — Bill, 1/2/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Quite the political manifesto. Very impressive. Solid logic throughout. "

    — Jeremy, 11/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A mixed bag. I certainly agree with some of Mamet's contentions, but his fact-checking is spotty and his prose is more indignant than persuasive. "

    — Shane, 9/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a glorious book. This was a wonderful book. Yay. What a book. "

    — Douglas, 8/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very good, draws a lot from Hayek, Friedman, and Sowell. "

    — Jared, 8/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I can honestly say I wholeheartedly agree with about 60% of what Mamet rights here. The remaining 40% may as well be written in Greek. "

    — Tim, 7/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " David crossed over to the conservative side from the liberal side after 60 years! He presents arguments for the conservative political philosophy quite well. "

    — Robin, 7/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Playwright David Mamet leaves liberalism behind.....provocative and interesting whether you agree or not. "

    — Maureen, 7/5/2011

About David Mamet

David Mamet is one of the foremost American playwrights. He has won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for his plays, Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow. His screenwriting credits include The Verdict and The Untouchables.

About Johnny Heller

Johnny Heller, winner of numerous Earphones and Audie Awards, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. He has been a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award winner from 2008 through 2013 and he has been named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine.