In this wide-ranging collection of essays, playwright David Mamet reflects on the principles of great drama and dialogue, the importance of free speech, and a time when Broadway was known for corruption and vice.

From the cautionary tales of the Old Testament to the gangster films of the 1930s, our greatest dramas have unflinchingly depicted humanity's dark side.

Yet today's entertainment features flawless characters who leave audiences unmoved, while an easily offended public has made it difficult for writers to try out controversial ideas.

David Mamet is a Tony- and Oscar-winning playwright, screenwriter, and director who wrote American Buffalo and Glengarry Glen Ross.

In this collection of essays, Mamet offers sound warnings and advice not just for writers, but for anyone who cares about art in these volatile times.

Recessional offers tales of Broadway's seedy past and thoughtful analyses of classic scripts to show how drama keeps us humble by reminding us of our imperfections, even when the truth shocks and offends.