I thought it was great.

In fact, I firmly believe that American Buffalo is even better.

It's truly a remarkable piece of work.

The story, the characters, and the overall atmosphere it creates are simply captivating.

If you find yourself in a situation where you can only read one, I would highly recommend American Buffalo.

It has the power to draw you in and keep you engaged from start to finish.

The depth of the themes explored and the complexity of the characters make it a truly unforgettable read.

You'll be immersed in a world full of drama, tension, and unexpected twists.

So, if you're looking for a great book to sink your teeth into, don't hesitate to pick up American Buffalo.

You won't be disappointed.

In the world of money and capital, for those who have power, unethical behavior is regarded as a project. The impact of such an environment on that small low-income individual is that he is drawn towards crime and illegal acts. And small crimes are nurtured, while big crimes are not questioned at all. If someone wants to destroy the moral area for his own personal gain, they give him the title of a great man... The misfortune of one person is an opportunity for another to progress. This is the basis of our economic life. This also has an impact on the spirit of the individual and widens the gap among people. A person feels that he can only succeed when someone else is unfortunate. The more I have, the less you should have...!

However, this kind of thinking is extremely wrong and unjust. It leads to a society full of inequality and disharmony. We should strive to create a more just and ethical economic environment, where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed through their own efforts and hard work, rather than at the expense of others. Only in this way can we build a better world for ourselves and future generations.

We need to raise awareness of ethics and social responsibility, and encourage people to abide by moral and legal norms. At the same time, the government and relevant departments should also strengthen supervision and management to ensure that the economic activities of individuals and enterprises are carried out within a legal and ethical framework. Only by working together can we change the current situation and create a more beautiful future.

Late capitalism is truly a nightmare. It brings with it a host of problems and challenges that seem insurmountable. The gap between the rich and the poor widens, inequality prevails, and the environment suffers.

However, in this rather dismal scenario, there is one silver lining. It can be great for reading out loud. When we read about the woes and issues of late capitalism, it forces us to confront the harsh realities. It makes us think, reflect, and perhaps even take action.

Reading aloud about the exploitation, the greed, and the systemic failures can create a sense of awareness and solidarity. It can spark conversations and debates that are crucial for finding solutions. So, while late capitalism may be a nightmare in many aspects, it also provides us with an opportunity to engage, learn, and work towards a better future.

It is what I affectionately refer to as crunch time.

Here we are in the last two weeks of the year, and I'm striving to neatly wrap up the loose ends in my reading before the calendar flips to a new page.

At the latest count, I have a total of five books remaining on my list, and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get through all five. However, I'm well aware that it will be no easy feat.

Before delving into those final five books, I made the decision to get a head start on a challenge that I've set for myself for the upcoming year.

In addition to my Pulitzer challenge, I've decided to "read Chicago" in 2018. This involves carefully selecting ten books across all genres for this particular challenge.

These books can range from memoirs and fiction to nonfiction, Pulitzer or Nobel winners, mysteries, plays, poetry, and even one of my personal favorites, baseball history books.

I'm truly looking forward to this challenge as it offers me the opportunity to closely study my beloved home city through the lens of literature.

I guess this means that I'll need to find a new tenth book for this challenge, or perhaps make it an ongoing endeavor and eventually work my way through a list I discovered, which consists of 40 books about Chicago that every Chicagoan should read.

Exactly how I'll frame this challenge remains to be seen, but I know it's going to be something that's near and dear to my heart, and hopefully both enjoyable and fulfilling.

As I was searching for books that are quintessentially Chicago, I happened across Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet, the 1984 Pulitzer winner for drama.

With a script that I was able to breeze through in just an hour, I can now proudly say that I've read a play by Mamet, one of Chicago's preeminent playwrights.

In this now modern classic, Mamet zeroes in on what he describes as the cutthroat world of insurance salesmen.

The cast is comprised of seven men in their forties and fifties, all vying for the big lead, the one that will net them thousands of dollars and bonuses that could potentially mean a brand new Cadillac or the highly coveted trip to Hawaii.

I found the script to be a bit dated, as it takes place in a pre-internet, pre-Skype era. In order to make the big sale, salesmen had to spend countless hours in their cars, driving to the homes of potential clients and pitching their product to unsuspecting consumers.

Nowadays, these sales pitches can occur in an office, over the phone, or at a computer, saving salespeople hours of time and the aggravation of a long commute.

As a result, the script did seem to have a touch of age to it, but it was still powerful nonetheless.

In the case of Glengarry, the middle-aged salesmen on the verge of being laid off attempt to resell condo units at a bogus tract of land in Florida.

Four men in their forties and another three in their fifties engage in a fierce battle to be the one to sell the most condos, the most tracts of land, and see their names rise to the top of the monthly leader board.

Seeing that sales had, for the most part, dropped off, the office manager Williamson devises a contest pitting each salesman against one another, hoping that these aging all-star pitchmen will find one last moment of glory in their careers.

Mamet masterfully shows how the business is indeed a ruthless one, as men who have worked together for their entire careers find themselves facing off, each hoping that they will be the one to take their family to Hawaii or cruise around in a Caddy.

And the sales office ultimately becomes the dog-eat-dog world that Mamet had envisioned, with each character whining and attempting to kiss up to the boss in the hopes that they will be the favored employee when bonuses are handed out at the end of the year.

Glengarry Glen Ross also won an Oscar for best picture in 1992. However, it was not without its share of controversy, as the characters swear nonstop as their frustration levels skyrocket.

As I was reading through the script, I noticed many words that are not suitable for underage readers or moviegoers. And, after checking, I discovered that the movie version of this award-winning play is indeed rated R.

I found Mamet's work to be powerful and one that is better suited for the stage than in written form, especially here where the entire play is centered around human face-to-face interaction rather than plot development.

Glengarry Glen Ross allowed me to catch a glimpse of a sliver of society that is gradually fading away as the world becomes smaller.

It is a powerful piece of literature that vividly portrays the ruthlessness of salesmen, and one that is worthy of the awards bestowed upon both the drama and movie versions.

It's a script that I would most likely enjoy the most when experienced on stage rather than on film.

With 2018 just a fortnight away, I'm eagerly looking forward to my Read Chicago challenge.

Glengarry Glen Ross was a quick and engaging introduction to this challenge, and it's making me even more excited to explore other books centered in the city that I love.

I hope to read at least one Pulitzer winner in each category for the challenge, so I can now happily cross award-winning drama off of my list.

4 stars

David Mamet is truly in the big leagues when it comes to business!

He has achieved remarkable success in various fields, making a name for himself as a highly influential figure. Whether it's in the world of theater, film, or writing, Mamet's talent and business acumen have propelled him to great heights.

His works are known for their sharp dialogue, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes. This has not only earned him critical acclaim but also a large and dedicated following. Mamet's ability to connect with audiences on a deep level has translated into significant commercial success as well.

Furthermore, he has shown great versatility in his business endeavors. He has not only written and directed numerous successful productions but has also ventured into other areas such as teaching and lecturing. His insights and experiences have made him a sought-after speaker and mentor, further enhancing his reputation and influence in the industry. Overall, David Mamet's success in business is a testament to his talent, hard work, and entrepreneurial spirit.

#20BooksOfSummer 2019

Finished: 01.06.2019

Genre: play

Rating: B

Conclusion:

The dialogue in this play has a rhythm and a beat that never lets up. I zipped through this clever and vicious script. In the case of Glengarry Glen Ross, I think the movie makes more impact than the play on Kindle. While reading, I pictured Al Pacino (Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actor in 1993), Jack Lemmon, Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin, and Ed Harris tearing each other apart! This play is ranked number 13 on the list of the best 50 plays in the past 100 years. It is a must-read modern classic.

Reading time: 1 hr 30 min

I almost made a "would not recommend" shelf for this book.

I read it for an English course, and I have to admit that from an academic perspective, it has its merits. There are indeed numerous aspects that can be analyzed in-depth, which makes it a great choice for an English course.

However, on a personal level, I really disliked many elements of the story. The workplace environment described in the book was far from ideal. The people seemed to be full of narcissism and were constantly engaged in back-stabbing. It made me feel uncomfortable and frustrated while reading.

Overall, while I can see the value of this book for an English course, my personal experience of reading it was not a pleasant one. I'm not sure if I would recommend it to others, especially those who are not interested in analyzing literature for academic purposes.

This is a rather unique sort-of play.

To fully appreciate it, one has to be in a specific mood. It delves deep into the inner-depths of the sales-world profession, presenting a modern comedy that is as dark as one can imagine.

I, for one, find it quite funny. However, it is not meant for those with a faint heart.

Moreover, this play surely sets the record for having the most profanity per minute in any medium.

It's a bold and unapologetic exploration of the often overlooked and sometimes seedy side of the sales world.

The language used is raw and unfiltered, adding to the authenticity and edginess of the piece.

While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, for those who are open to such a unique and daring portrayal, it can be a truly eye-opening and entertaining experience.

I recently reread this.

The sole reason I don't award it five stars is that this is the one instance I can think of where the movie, which was also penned by Mamet, outshines the book.

However, the immorality of nearly everyone involved is far more blatant in the original version.

This is a must-read for anyone who has ever attempted to sell anything.

It shatters myths and uncovers the truths lurking behind the salesman mentality that no one mentions: the false friendships among colleagues, the betrayals, the racism, and the hypocrisy.

Calling people who don't wish to purchase what they can't afford or don't desire "deadbeats" strikes me as hilarious - and spot-on.

All of this and more as four salesmen strive to uphold for potential buyers (and themselves) the romanticized image of the salesman while perpetrating sin after sin within their petty inner circle.

It offers a fascinating and unvarnished look into the world of sales, revealing the darker aspects that often go unnoticed.

I'm tired of the salesperson's death genre!

It seems that everywhere I go, there are salespeople constantly bombarding me with their pushy tactics. They seem to think that the only way to succeed is to badger customers into buying something.

I just want to be able to browse and make my own decisions without feeling pressured. It's exhausting to have to constantly fend off their advances.

I wish there was a way to have a more relaxed and enjoyable shopping experience. Maybe stores could train their salespeople to be more helpful and less pushy.

Until then, I'll continue to be frustrated with the salesperson's death genre.

Honestly, it was a not fun experience to read this. There was so much interrupting dialogue that it really disrupted the flow. It made it difficult to follow and understand the overall story or message. Also, the whole point of it seemed to be lost on me. All I could really take away from it was that there were these greedy greedy men. It's kind of sad really. Sigh. It makes you wonder what the author was really trying to convey. Maybe there was a deeper meaning that I just wasn't able to pick up on. But as it stands, it was just a bit of a frustrating read.

I've really just begun delving into the world of plays. I was vaguely familiar with the name Mamet, but I couldn't have identified a single work of his. In fact, (and this is yet another sorry instance of the "Danger Zone" playing out in real life), I didn't even realize he was American. I would have hazarded a guess that he was a French playwright or philosopher.

The "Danger Zone" is illustrated by the image above, which shows famous people we may not know.

I was persuaded to read this by a friend. (How wonderful it is to have such friends!) Afterward, we went out and discussed it. But then, he asked if I had ever read "Death of a Salesman." I confessed that I hadn't. However, I didn't have to appear completely ignorant, as I was at least aware of the play and could name the author.

But it turns out that my knowledge of that play was also quite limited.

Without referring to cliffnotes.com (assuming such a website exists), it was immediately clear why he had me read them back-to-back. "Glengarry" is an obvious homage to "Death of a Salesman." I'm tempted to say that "Glengarry" picks up where Arthur Miller left off - but that wouldn't be fair to either, as both have their own independent dramatic merits.

So, what exactly is the "American Dream"? And the question I'm posing now is, considering these plays were written in 1949 and 1984 - did it ever truly exist?