The Disenlightenment: Politics, Horror, and Entertainment

by David Mamet

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

"Great playwright and filmmaker, DAVID MAMET, just wrote an incredible new book, The Disenlightenment, Politics, Horror, and Entertainment. David is a special man and talent. Get his book, NOW!" — President Donald Trump

One of America's greatest living literary legends invites you think for yourself in this compelling narrative of manipulation, power, and the human condition.

"Government, like Circe, turns men into swine," David Mamet writes in his latest political tour de force. Prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and entertained by The Disenlightenment as Mamet dissects the modern world with enthusiasm, wisdom, and lots of references to movies about the mafia.

Once a stalwart of liberal thought, Mamet now turns his penetrating gaze on the cultural milieu that nurtured his artistic growth, revealing how America's elites have twisted our institutions into tools of manipulation. With his one-of-a-kind wit, he exposes the intricate dance between power and myth, unmasking how the elites manipulate media and culture to maintain control.

The Disenlightenment fearlessly tackles topics from war to love, success to death, offering a fresh perspective on the human condition. His observations, ranging from the carnival-like nature of politics to the power of language, reflect a society where traditional values are under siege.

This book is an opportunity to engage with one of the most provocative and insightful writers of the modern era. Whether you're a long-time Mamet aficionado or new to his work, The Disenlightenment promises to challenge your perceptions, stimulate your mind, and perhaps change how you view the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Essays

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

David Alan Mamet is an American author, essayist, playwright, screenwriter and film director. His works are known for their clever, terse, sometimes vulgar dialogue and arcane stylized phrasing, as well as for his exploration of masculinity.

As a playwright, he received Tony nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nominations for The Verdict (1982) and Wag the Dog (1997).

Mamet's recent books include The Old Religion (1997), a novel about the lynching of Leo Frank; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (2004), a Torah commentary, with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner; The Wicked Son (2006), a study of Jewish self-hatred and antisemitism; and Bambi vs. Godzilla, an acerbic commentary on the movie business.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forty-four essays on culture and politics from a conservative and historical lens, that will test the stamina of the average reader. “I am a snakebit lover of language, the more obscure the better,” Mamet writes. If you’re average like me, have a dictionary ready. Every page or so I ran into words I kind of/sort of knew but wanted to check just to be sure; and then there were the ones I’m sure I’ve never heard of (epigrammist, neurasthenic, interregnum, nostrum, analysand, abjuration, solon, aphasia, quiddities, etc.).

But it was worth the effort for some of my favorite bits, including:

“The Constitution, like “Robert’s Rules of Order” or the directions for the use of a chain saw, is a manual for operation of a dangerous (but controllable) mechanism – in this case, human nature.”

And:

“Chicken Little screamed, ‘The sky is falling, run for your lives.’ All schoolchildren delighted in the idiocy of her claim, inspired by a pine cone falling on her head. More adult appreciation is that if in fact it were falling, there would be no point in flight.

“We are not witnessing but in fact participating in a millennial, civilizational reorganization. We are too close to understand it easily, save as the interplay of comprehensible forces: Left vs. Right, Islam vs. Christianity, Communism vs. Capitalism. .... There is no ‘cure,’ for it is an organic progression, and we can no more return to the Healthy Unionized Working Class of American Industry of the Fifties than we can to the slash-and-burn cultivation techniques of the Australian Aboriginals. But we may, rationally, choose to order our government and our lives according to basic, moral principals. Why not?”

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Contrary to first impressions, a great deal of intelligence is necessary to be quite so stupid as is Mamet in these pieces / these days.

[Thomas George Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An accomplished and talented screenwriter, Mr. Mamet is however, never want of opinions. In his "The Disenlightenment, " Mr. Mamet writes about his views on "The Kennedys", "No Coups in England, "Hypothermia", "Dese Dem Dose." The list is endless of the folks and organizations that Mr. Mamet is upset.

In spite of all that, I heartedly recommend this book.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably not for those who lean far to the Left.

That being said, I think there MIGHT be something here for most anyone, regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum. As for me, I did feel "seen" by this collection of essays (as the kid's say). I appreciate Mamet's wit, wisdom, and political hot takes. Makes me want to check out his other works.

[Larry Kirshbaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique point of view (verified purchase)

I must confess a special willingness to give David Mamet a fair hearing because we both attended the Francis Parker school in Chicago (at different times as he is much younger) and I don't recall ever having met him. My takeaway from Parker was to become a lifelong liberal starting with Adlai Stevenson when I was in my early teens. However, I have come to respect Mamet's very Conservative viewpoint because he is unquestionably one of our leading intellectuals as a writer and leading entertainers as a playwright and filmmaker who is also an ardent supporter of Israel as am I. This book features numerous brilliant essays for he has a Shakespearean sense of word-smithing that is possibly most well known in the Pulitzer Prize winning play Glengary Glen Ross about a sad group of sales people who are motivated by their ABCs, "Always Be Closing." Mamet reminds me of the late great scholar Harold Bloom who was scorned by English departments for his not accepting deviation from the clsssical literary tradition. Mamet is highly critical of our tendency to use addictive social devices and herd-like alliances to allay our frenzy that the world is coming to an end. I suggest the reader come to this book with an open mind regardless of your political stripe and just inhale the point of view that is so shockingly brilliant in its counter-orthodoxy.

[James Council · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my style of book, but I was entertained. The author uses lots of anecdotes to make his political arguments. No real flow emerges though, so it is a bit hard to keep track of where the author is trying to take his readers.

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but difficult to distinguish one essay from the next. They were good in bi-monthly form. They might better be preserved cobbled together as fewer, but longer, essays grouped topically.

[Andrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

80% как бухой дед у подъезда моросит, остальные 20% - pure genius

[Katye · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly this book made me feel dumber listening to it. There is no thought to it but it’s full of buzzwords. Some people could pull quotes from it and go look how insightful but man that’d be dumb.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

44 essays that are thoroughly entertaining. Mamet hits a home run with this one!

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you judge by the number of passages I underlined and tabs I stuck to various pages of this book, it was an extraordinary read.

And indeed, Mamet offers some extraordinary insights, particularly about his work in the theater and the importance of considering the audience.

But the book didn't really hold together as a whole nor the individual essays really have an internal consistency. Ok, to be sure, a few did. But overall, this felt more like a writer rifled through his notebook, a daybook filled with insightful observations and interesting ideas and quickly typed them up.

Much wisdom in the book, but the wise thoughts shared all need a little fleshing out.

Maybe more than a little.

[J. Merwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. How could someone who has written so many brilliant plays, books etc. be such an a-hole? "Trump is a hero"? Conspiracy theories...give me a break.

[Pauline Calkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, a playwright, screenwriter and director of note, muses on the current state of politics and culture. His opinions on a variety of topics are wide-ranging and free-wheeling, supported by broad-based knowledge and illustrated with all manner of analogies, metaphors, and anecdotes. He doesn’t dwell any one item in depth, for example, he begins one chapter with the statement that “[s]ome hold that Shakespeare’s plays were not written by him, but by another fellow of the same name,” but he never again addresses that item. Some of his points probably whizzed over my head as they were given in a rapid fire style. But some were brilliant; e.g., the analogy of the four years of the Biden administration to the Open City of 1944 Paris where there was no one in control, and many factions (the socialists, the commies, the resistance, etc.) got their say. Also, the the rule against perpetuities might/should be applied to arguments for reparations for ancient wrongs or restricting the use of land to the practices of some previous inhabitants.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mamet is always interesting. In this book he recaps the history of the left’s destruction of proven ideas on how the country should run. He’s clearly unhappy that so many in the Jewish community still vote Democrat . But that’s just part of the story. The title gives a good hint. The left is moving away from enlightenment values and toward socialism and communism. It’s a worthwhile read. I listened to it on audible while on a long drive.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Love the way his mind works. Awesome.

[neil b michaelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

yes

Interesting read. His place are fantastic. His essays are a bit cryptic. It is fun reading to know that he’s thinking as he writes.

[Anthony Millspaugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m always suspect of any “artist” that indicts fellow artists as he does, for example, suggesting no such
theory. This is the least of his sins. If you’re going to draw parallels if you’re going to compare Trump to a Dicken’s Tale of Two Cities, then for Christ’s sake get the character’s name right!

Suggesting that most examples of violent antisemitism are committed by liberal or leftists must show him to be as dementia ridden as he claims former President Biden to be. It wasn’t leftists that were chanting through the streets of Charlottesville chanting Jews will not replace us. It wasn’t an “ antifa,” member as no such organization exists, such as the Proud Boys. The violence at the Tree of Life synagogue was committed by a right wing extremist. White supremacy completely fictional? Is the Aryan Brotherhood a non-existent entity. Are liberals embracing Nazism and giving a salute that is a crime in the Germany, the home of its creation.

The arson fire at the Pennsylvania Governor, Josh Shapiro’s state mansion? Committed by a Trump supporter.

What I found that quite a bit of the writing is thought provoking until he’d swing wildly to a reactionary tone. Yes, Israel had every right to retaliate after 10/7, just as the US had the right to retaliate after 9/11, but in each instance excessive retaliation erased initial sympathy. No mention is made of Biden embracing Netanyahu immediately after the attack. No mention of the cozy covert operation Netanyahu had with Hamas? As to Biden and Harris not shaking Netanyahu’s hand? What was learned from Neville Chamberlain’s courteous treatment of Hitler? Was Trump displaying reverence for his conduct towards MBS whose countrymen were most involved in 8/11 ? A man responsible for the murder and dismemberment a citizen? What of the bullying demonstrated against President Zelenskyy?

My most furious reaction was when he equated the injustice of the OJ Simpson verdict with the injustice of the “ false” accusations of the maligned. President, calling into question the neutrality of trial by jury? That’s a very dangerous accusation. If there is any corollary between Trump and Simpson is that both these men of privilege were able to make mockery of the legal system. We now have a convicted felon as the leader of the free world.

Before Mr. Mamet makes accusations on the memory loss of Joe Biden or any one else, he might want to get one of those cognitive tests that his hero has taken and “ passed “ three times!

Even the essay that I enjoyed most, an almost glowing reflection of our hometown is undone by the final sentence arguing that the city’s best days are behind it and today Chicago is a hell hole.

I should have been suspicious when the praise for the book came from the likes of Megyn Kelly.

I think it important to read material opposite of one’s beliefs, but extremism on left or right disgusts me.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

As my highlights show, I liked a lot of Mamet’s jibes. Certainly he epitomizes a certain class, blow/ins from back East turned Hollywood industry “machers” getting on in years, once those mocking the straights and celebrating the criminals; now chastened by antisemitism, DEI run literally riot, and the failure of complacent liberals to call limits on any unlicensed libertine; unmerited promotion in jobs, schools, civil service, and government-imposed dictates; violent, pornographic, and LCD-dumbed down digital media.

However, elevating Milton Friedman (is it a Chicago thing?) to emulate seems as unwise as idolizing our 45th President as if immune to the craven influence of partisan politics and crony capitalism he’s chiding.

I don’t get how he can both criticize the system and yet sidestep how an incumbent (and second term leader) can evade or override the corruption baked into the corporate and global military-Silicon Valley forces (the latter gain nearly no attention here). Nor how the predominantly woke infrastructure now in place by default can be reformed given the half of a nation (at least) which fervently supports its slogans.

Thematic essays flop about in style, coherence, and insight. They seem unedited or revised, and their content is very much tied to passing headlines and clickbait “outrage” meaning much of their incentive will already be long dissipated by their appearance in a collection. He’s good on the shills of carney culture and con artists of the fairground whose schtick he compares in clever fashion to our gullible and naive reactions to “influencers” who claim to rule over us.

Yet for a craftsman of entertainment over half a century committed to dramatically and memorably provoking us to identify with rogues, misfits, and conniving characters, these inclusions too often remain mundane, hasty, or obvious. Let’s hope retirement on the Pacific Coast (he’s predictably if rather superficially dismissive of L.A.—as a native I find more nuance than he may confined to the affluent Westside and shoreline zones of privilege) doesn’t dull Mamet’s sensibility or verbal acumen.

[Writemoves · Rating 2 out of 5]

I approached David Mamet’s The Disenlightenment: Politics, Horror, and Entertainment with some suspicion, given its endorsements by Mark Levin, Megyn Kelly, and Ben Shapiro. Still, I try to remain open to viewpoints different from my own.

That said, my initial doubts proved correct. Mamet portrays the American Left since the Obama years as an existential threat to constitutional democracy—accusing it of seizing power, corrupting the media and universities, erasing borders, and waging an ongoing coup through “unwarranted prosecutions” of Donald Trump. For Mamet, Trump is not just a political leader but a heroic defender of the Constitution whose heirs will, he hopes, preserve the American Experiment.

This framing is far removed from my own understanding of politics, history, and current events. At times, Mamet’s rhetoric veers into caricature: President Biden is described as “an obviously senile crook,” Vice President Harris as an “incoherent nullity.” Meanwhile, Trump—whom Mamet celebrates as a constitutional protector—is spared any similar scrutiny, though many would argue he is equally vulnerable to charges of diminished capacity.

To be fair, the book has a few redeeming qualities. It is short, the chapters are brisk, and Mamet’s word choice may stretch your vocabulary. But after reading several chapters, I found little in the way of fresh ideas or convincing analysis.

In the end, The Disenlightenment felt more like a polemic than a serious examination of politics, horror, or entertainment.

P.S. I did enjoy Glengarry Glen Ross decades ago...

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Mamet’s The Disenlightenment: Politics, Horror, and Entertainment is a mix of sharp insights and frustrating detours. When he writes about theater, movies, and storytelling, Mamet is at his best: funny, smart, and full of memorable lines that show why he is such a respected voice in the arts. Mamet is also good at pointing out how big institutions, whether in media, politics, or culture, can twist things for their own benefit. However, the book often strays into heavy-handed political rants that make sweeping claims about people, movements, and ideas, leaving little room for middle ground. Some of his takes feel less like thoughtful arguments and more like trying to provoke a reaction. There are definitely moments where I found myself nodding along, but just as often, I found myself rolling my eyes. It is a book that can be fascinating one page and frustrating the next--worth picking up if you are ready for a mix of clever observations and strong, sometimes extreme, opinions.

[Philemon - · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long had a soft spot for this inveterate enfant terrible; he offers lots of cynical encapsulations like this:

Contemporary art museums operate as a tripartite mutual admiration society: the artists needn't wonder if their random offerings are trash, as they are exhibited by museums, chosen by curators who are both paid by the museum board and rewarded with artwork by the grateful artists. The third party to the happiness is the public, content to pay for the privilege of being cultured.

OK. But not so sure what to think about his crediting Trump and his followers with "extraordinary intellectual courage... in imagining a return to American constitutional democracy." That seems a bit crude for literary comedy -- though perhaps not crude enough for stand-up.

Another paragraph I was going to quote seemed to acknowledge two sides of a question and reach a philosophical conclusion. But the bookmark got lost and I was unable to retrieve it.

Anyway, Mamet continues to be... something else. Hard not to love the guy, a little.

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was gifted this book by someone I love, so I tried my best to choke down a couple chapters. Even though I disagree with basically every opinion, I really tried to see...what is the point? Is there a logical argument? Mamet writes in hyperbole and he must have had his AI bot set to "maximum thesarus and confusion" mode because holy hell. IF there was a logical argument that I disagreed with, I could have read this and tried to respect it. Many of the chapters were just plain offensive (Jewish people are persecuted because they aren't Jewish enough? Women need to raise the children of course, and they all took drugs back then when the husbands were away and that was fine and dandy?) And then he would throw in "Trump is a hero."

Too bad he didn't get a spot in the Administration because he certainly put on enough of a show for it. As he said, the performances all have OBJECTIVES. I could go on but I won't waste any more time.

[Elizabeth Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read some of the reviews and found them to be a bit all over the map in their criticism. I thought this was a great book for encouraging one to look at their own reasons for doing something, to work to not let the "current" interpretations of good and evil go unchallenged, and to hope that we are currently working as a country to stave off the very possible end of our country as we would like it to be. I found hope in his writings and hope many of the upcoming generations will see the error of following the media and its cohorts blindly.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

I respect David’s furor against DEI.

His writing wanders into a dictionary minefield and demonstrates a showoff showing off.

Writing could be simple, clear and to the point.

I recommend Strunk and White “Elements of Style.”

I do not need to know his coming of age and “loosing my cheery after the junior prom.” An A on the “I don’t care scale.” To much data.

[William Dury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Um, yeah, David is officially a right wing crank. And yes, if you’re anywhere left of center don’t bother unless you have a distinct and burning need to be agitated. This collection of essays is not as wildly incoherent as most Goodreaders have indicated-they’re more sort of and consistently, but not always, incoherent. If his indictment of climate change as fraud doesn’t get to you his hailing of Trump as a hero certainly will. He’s indicts the Democrats for deserting Israel. I think it’s among the factors that gave Trump the election-Mamet perhaps differing because his neighbors in Santa Monica all had Harris lawn signs. His dry evaluation of her campaign slogan “Joy” as “bold,” well, I dunno how to say it, he’s been a great writer for years. “We’re herd animals. If there are no enemies we’ll invent them, or there’s no reason for the herd.” “A state can’t exist without borders.” The list is endless.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Often, I didn't know what the hell Mamet was talking about, but I was consoled by the fact that he obviously doesn't have any idea what the hell he's talking about either. A sad bit of hero worship.

[Melinda Martinez · Rating 1 out of 5]

None of his points were based in fact. I was waiting for him to back up his claims with factual information, but was met with obscure metaphor, incomplete analogy, and endless hyperbole.

[The_J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manet brings his own viewpoint and sense of artistic wonder to the events culminating in Trumps return to the White House: Fun, pithy, Jewish and insightful. Enjoy the ride.

[Matthew Furman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars, actually. One more added solely for the "Madhouse" reference, a 1990 "comedy" starring John Bernard Larroquette and Kirstie Alley.